The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

1 IN the chapter last going before Luke declared, how Paul and Barnabas took in hand their embassy unto the Gentiles. Furthermore it might seem to be an unprosperous and unlucky beginning, in that they were not only expelled out of Antioch, but also enforced by the obstinate wickedness of certain to shake off the dust from their feet. But though they had but short entertainment in one place, yet do they not yield: because they consider that the Lord had called them upon that condition, that they should do their duty though the whole world & Satan, did say nay. Therefore we see that they came not only ready to teach, but also armed to enter conflicts, that they might courageously proceed in publishing the Gospel, even through the midst of combats. And assuredly that which was once spoken to Jeremiah, is common to all the prophets and ministers of God, they shall fight against thee,¹ but they shall not prevail. Now whither soever they fly, they carry with them the same courage still: whereby it appeareth that they were not only furnished for one combat, but even for continual warfare: which Luke doth now prosecute. He sayeth first, that they came to Iconium, and there withal he showeth that they sought not there some haven, where they might rest quietly: but they entered the Synagogue, as if they had suffered no hurt at all. I refer the word Cata to auto, forasmuch as it signifieth among the Grecians together, or at the same time rather unto the Jews than unto Paul & Barnabas. Therefore I interpret it thus, not that they went in both together, but that they followed the multitude at the solemn and appointed time of the meeting, whence we gather that they spake not secretly with a few men, but in a great assembly of people: whereby they declare their boldness and ready desire, they are so far from fearing envy, or avoiding danger.

1 IN the chapter last going before Luke declared, how Paul and Barnabas took in hand their ambassage vnto the Gētiles. Furthermore it might seeme to bee an vnprosperous and vnluckie beginning, in that they were not only expelled out of Antioch, but also enforced by the obstinate wickednes of certaine to shake off the dust from their feet. But though they had but short intertainment in one place, yet do they not yeeld: because they consider that the Lord had called them vpon that condition, that they shuld do their dutie thogh the whole world & Satan, did say nay. Therfore we see that they came not onelie ready to teach, but also armed to enter conflictes, that they might couragiously proceede in publishing the Gospel, euen through the midst of cumbats. And assuredly that which was once spoken to Ieremie, is common to all the prophetes and ministers of God, they shall fight against thee,