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…

The whole speech then of the Apostle ought to be referred to the sense of faith, because he doth not so much dispute what Christ is in himself, but rather what he is in regard of us. By this word of likeness, he means the agreement of the nature; thereby signifying that Christ by putting on our nature, hath also taken our affections, not only to the end he might declare himself to be true man, but also that he might learn by experience to give succour to the afflicted. Not that the son of God had need of such rudiments or instructions, but because we could not otherwise comprehend in our minds the care which he hath of our salvation. As often then as we are burdened and faint under the infirmities of our flesh, let us remember that the Son of God hath both felt, and had experience of the like; to the end he might sustain us by his power, that we should not be overwhelmed under them. But here it may be asked, what he means by infirmities: for this word is taken in divers ⟨p. 86⟩significations. Some think he means heat, cold, hunger, thirst, and such other bodily infirmities: as also contempt, poverty, and the like, as we may see in many places of Paul, but specially in the 2. Cor. 12.10. But their opinion is the best, who with poverties and outward miseries do also comprehend afflictions of mind, as fear, sorrow, terrors of death, and such like.

The whole speech then of the Apostle ought to be referred to the sense of faith, because he doth not so much dispute what Christ is in himselfe, but rather what he is in regard of vs. By this word of likenesse, he meanes the agreemēt of the nature; thereby signifying that Christ by putting on our nature, hath also taken our affections, not onely to the end he might declare himselfe to be true man, but also that he might learne by experience to giue succour to the afflicted. Not that the sonne of God had neede of such rudiments or instructions, but because we could not otherwise comprehend in our mindes the care which he hath of our saluation. As often then as we are burthened and faint vnder the infirmities of our flesh, let vs remember that the Son of God hath both felt, and had experience of the like; to the end he might sustaine vs by his power, that we should not be ouerwhelmed vnder them. But here it may be asked, what he means by infirmities: for this word is taken in diuers ⟨p. 86⟩