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…

Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.] It may seem that this sentence is far fetched. For although it be granted that Christ was begotten of God the Father, doth that conclude therefore that he was ordained a Priest by him also? But if we consider to what end Christ was revealed to the world, we shall easily perceive that this quality doth necessarily appertain unto him. But withal, we must also call that again to mind which we have said in the first chapter: to wit, that this generation of Christ, whereof the Psalm speaketh, is a testimony that the Father hath given him to men. Wherefore this word is not put here to signify a mutual relation between the Father and the Son, but is rather to be referred unto men, to whom he was manifested after an high and excellent manner. But what is it that God hath manifested unto us in his Son? is it without honour, or without any power at all? nay, hath he not rather manifested him to be such a one as is fit to be the Mediator between God and men? And therefore this generation or begetting, containeth also the Priesthood.

Thou art my sonne, this day haue I begotten thee.] It may seeme that this sentence is farre fetched. For although it be graunted that Christ was begotten of God the Father, doth that conclude therefore that he was ordained a Priest by him also? But if we consider to what ende Christ was reuealed to the world, we shall easily perceiue that this qualitie doth necessarily appertaine vnto him. But withall, we must also call that againe to minde which we haue said in the first chapter: to wit, that this generation of Christ, wherof the Psalme speaketh, is a testimonie that the Father hath giuen him to men. Wherefore this word is not put here to signifie a mutuall relation between the Father and the Son, but is rather to be referred vnto men, to whom he was manifested after an high and excellent manner. But what is it that God hath manifested vnto vs in his Sonne? is it without honour, or without any power at all? nay, hath he not rather manifested him to be such a one as is fitte to be the Mediator betweene God and men? And therefore this generation or begetting, containeth also the Priesthood.