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 sum is, that Christ is not only our brother in regard of the union of our flesh and nature, but also by partaking with us of our infirmities he is allured, nay fashioned and framed to bear with us, and to be very lowly and gracious unto us. The Greek word which we translate, who can, imports more than if we should say in our common speech, is able, or, is mighty: for it is taken for one that is fit, or capable. These words, the ignorant, and those that are out of the way, are taken for sinners after the manner of the Hebrews. And of this we are to speak more hereafter.

The summe is, that Christ is not onely our brother in regard of the vnion of our flesh and nature, but also by partaking with vs of our infirmities he is allured, nay fashioned and framed to beare with vs, and to bee very lowly and gratious vnto vs. The Greeke word which wee translate, who can, imports more than if wee should say in our common speech, is able, or, is mightie: for it is taken for one that is fit, or capable. These words, the ignorant, and those that are out of the way, are taken for sinners after the manner of the Hebrues. And of this we are to speake more hereafter.

And no man taketh this honour unto him, &c.] Vers. 4 In this member ⟨p. 93⟩we have to note, first the similitude, and then the diversity of it. The calling of God makes the office lawful, for none can exercise the same in good sort as he ought, if he be not created of God. This is common to Christ and to Aaron, that both were called of God: but in this they differ, that in as much as Christ succeeded Aaron for a new and divers respect, and was ordained to be a perpetual high Priest, it appears that the Priesthood of Aaron was but temporary, and to be abolished. Now we see the Apostles drift. The right of the office of Priesthood was to be reserved to Christ: he doth it in showing that God is the author of it. But this is not yet sufficient, unless it appears that the ancient Priesthood ceased, to give place to this. He proves it, because we must have an eye to the Condition whereunto Aaron was ordained a Priest (for it lieth not in us to stretch it further then Gods ordinance will bear) and he will by and by show how long Gods will was, this first order should last. Christ then is a lawful Priest, because he was ordained by Gods authority. What shall we say of Aaron, and of those that succeeded him? Truly they had power and authority so far forth as it was given them of God, and not as the same was attributed unto them by the opinion of men.