A commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By M. John Calvin. Translated…A commentarie on the vvhole Epistle to the Hebrevves. By M. Iohn Caluin. Translated…

For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.] This place here alleged is taken out of the two and twenty ⟨p. 42⟩Psalm. Now that Christ is there brought in speaking, or David in the person of Christ, we have first of all the Evangelists for witnesses, who do allege many verses of this Psalm: as namely these, They parted my garments among them: They gave me gall for my drink: Also, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Afterwards even the thing it self showeth it. For in the history of the passion, we may see a lively image of all things there mentioned. And the conclusion of the Psalm, which is the vocation of the Gentiles, cannot be referred to any other than to Christ. All the ends of the earth shall turn unto God, and all the families of the Gentiles shall bow before him: The kingdom is the Lords, and he shall rule over the Gentiles. The truth of all these things is only in Christ, who did not enlarge Gods kingdom in little or narrow places, as David did, but hath spread it through the world, whereas it was before shut up within certain bounds and limits. Wherefore this place here alleged is also questionless spoken of him, which he doth very fitly; and useth a most significant word when he saith, he is not ashamed. For how great is the difference which is between him and us? Surely he humbled himself very low, when he vouchsafed to call us his brethren: who otherwise had bin utterly unworthy to be esteemed so much as his vassals. The circumstance also doth greatly amplify this wonderful favour of his towards us. For Christ speaks in that place, ¹not as a mortal man in the shape of a servant, but as being clothed with immortal glory after his resurrection. Wherefore this title is no less excellent, than if he had carried us up into heaven with him. As oft therefore as we hear that Christ calls us brethren, let us remember he doth after a sort clothe us with this quality, that with the name of brethren we might also apprehend the blessed life, with all the heavenly benefits contained therein.

For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.] This place here alleaged is taken out of the two and twenty ⟨p. 42⟩Psalme. Now that Christ is there brought in speaking, or Dauid in the person of Christ, wee haue first of all the Euangelists for witnesses, who doe alleage many verses of this Psalme: as namely these, They parted my garments among them: They gaue me gall for my drinke: Also, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Afterwards euen the thing it selfe sheweth it. For in the historie of the passion, we may see a liuely image of all things there mentioned. And the conclusion of the Psalme, which is the vocation of the Gentiles, cannot be referred to any other than to Christ. All the ends of the earth shall turne vnto God, and all the families of the Gentiles shall bow before him: The kingdome is the Lords, and he shall rule ouer the Gentiles. The truth of all these things is only in Christ, who did not enlarge Gods kingdome in little or narrow places, as Dauid did, but hath spread it through the world, whereas it was before shut vp within certaine bounds and limits. Wherefore this place here alleaged is also questionlesse spoken of him, which he doth very fitly; and vseth a most significant word when he saith, he is not ashamed. For how great is the difference which is betweene him and vs? Surely hee humbled himselfe very low, when hee vouchsafed to call vs his brethren: who otherwise had bin vtterly vnworthie to be esteemed so much as his vassals. The circumstance also doth greatly amplifie this wonderfull fauour of his towards vs. For Christ speakes in that place,