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…

Moreover, we must note that the Apostle speaks of the word of God as it is brought us by the ministry of men. For these are but railings and pernicious discourses of them who say, it is true that the inspired word hath indeed his efficacy, but the word which proceeds from the mouths of men, is dead and without effect. I confess the efficacy proceeds not from the tongues of men, neither consists it in the bare sound, but the efficacy is wholly to be given to the Spirit of God: and yet notwithstanding all this lets not that the holy Ghost should not manifest his power by the word preached. For in regard that God speaks not personally himself, but by men; the Apostle doth so much the more insist upon this, that the word should not be received hand over head, or in contempt because men are the ministers of it. Accordingly, when S. Paul calls the Gospel the power of God, Rom. 1.16. he doth expressly adorn it with this title of preaching; the which he saw to be a matter of reproach unto some, and of contempt unto others. And where he teacheth in another place, that salvation is made ours by the doctrine of faith, he expressly gives it the title of that which is preached, Rom. 10.8. We see how God always doth precisely commend the doctrine which is administered unto us by men, to the end he might hold us in the reverence and obedience of it. ¹Now in that the word is called lively, it must be supplied as having relation unto us: which is the better understood by the second epithet: for in saying ⟨p. 81⟩this word is mighty, he shows wherein the life of it consists. For the Apostles meaning is to show what the use of the word is in regard of us. Now as touching the similitude of a sword, the Scripture useth it also in other places: but the Apostle not content with the simple comparison, saith, that the word of God is sharper than any sword, yea than any two edged sword: because in that time they commonly wore swords which had but one edge.

Moreouer, wee must note that the Apostle speakes of the word of God as it is brought vs by the ministerie of men. For these are but railings and pernicious discourses of them who say, it is true that the inspired word hath indeed his efficacie, but the word which proceedes from the mouthes of men, is dead and without effect. I confesse the efficacie proceedes not from the tongues of men, neither consists it in the bare sound, but the efficacie is wholy to be giuen to the Spirit of God: and yet notwithstanding al this lets not that the holy Ghost should not manifest his power by the word preached. For in regard that God speakes not personally himselfe, but by men; the Apostle doth so much the more insist vpon this, that the word should not be receiued hand ouer head, or in contempt because men are the ministers of it. Accordingly, when S. Paul calles the Gospell the power of God,