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…

15 And that he might deliver all them, which for fear of death were all their life time subject unto bondage.

15 And that he might deliuer all them, which for feare of death were all their life time subiect vnto bondage.

For as much then as the children:] Verse 14 This is the conclusion of that which hath been said; and therewithal he doth more fully give a reason of that which he had but lightly touched before concerning the cause, why it behoved the son of God to take our flesh: to wit, that he might partake of the same nature with us, & in dying might redeem us from death. This place is worthy to be well observed: because it not only confirms the truth of Christ his humane nature, but also shows what fruit comes unto us thereby. The son of God, saith he, was made man; to the end he might participate the same nature and condition with us. Could he say any thing more to the purpose for the confirmation of our faith? for by this it appears that he loves us with an unspeakable love. The fullness of which love consists in this, that he took upon him our nature; that he might thereby subject himself to the condition of death, for as he was God he could not die. Now howsoever he toucheth the fruit of his death but in few words, yet notwithstanding in these few he doth express the matter, with wonderful life and efficacy: how? he hath so kept us from the tyranny of the devil, that we are out of his danger: and hath so redeemed us from death, that we need not now fear it any more. But because there is no word which hath not his weight, let ⟨p. 49⟩us yet a little more diligently examine them. First this destruction of the devil, whereof he speaks, shows, that he hath now no more power over us. For howsoever the devil hath force and power still, ¹and deviseth daily to work our destruction, yet notwithstanding the power which he hath to hurt us is weakened, or at the least limited. And doubtless it is a great consolation, to be assured that we have to do with such an enemy as hath no power over us. Now that this is said in regard of us; we may gather by the member following, which had the power of death, for the Apostle would hereby give us to understand, that the devil is destroyed, in as much as he reigned to our destruction. For this power is so called because of the effect; for it is deadly to us, and brings forth destruction. He shows then that not only the tyranny of Satan is destroyed by the death of Christ, but also that Satan himself hath received such a wound, that we need now no more to fear him, then if he were not at all.