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 they are but organs and instruments; yea dead instruments, unless the Lord from heaven do secretly inspire the efficacy of his spirit. And furthermore that they so labour to edify & build the Church, that themselves also must come to be framed into the building, as being part of the same: but it is far otherwise with Christ. For he hath always built the Church by the power of his own spirit. Moreover he hath always been the chief, yea the highest, far above ⟨p. 57⟩the common order of others; for, he was so the true temple of God, that therewithal himself was the God which dwelt in it.

for they are but organes and instruments; yea dead instruments, vnlesse the Lord from heauen do secretly inspire the efficacie of his spirit. And furthermore that they so labour to edifie & build the Church, that themselues also must come to be framed into the building, as beeing part of the same: but it is farre otherwise with Christ. For he hath alwaies built the Church by the power of his own spirit. Moreouer he hath alwaies bene the cheife, yea the highest, farre aboue ⟨p. 57⟩the common order of others; for, he was so the true temple of God, that therewithall himselfe was the God which dwelt in it.

And he that hath built all things, &c.] Verse 4 Although the words may be stretched to the creation of the whole world, yet notwithstanding I restrain them to the present matter, so as we understand, that nothing was done in the Church, that ought not to be acknowledged to proceed from the power of God. For it is he only who hath made it with his hand: Psal. 87.5. And S. Paul saith of Christ, that he is the head by whom all the body linked and coupled together by every joint for the furnishing thereof, taketh increase according to the operation, in the measure of every part.