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…

By dead works, he understands those works which beget death, or which are fruits of death. For even as the life of the soul consists in the conjunction that we have with God; so those who are estranged from him by sin, are very rightly esteemed dead. Now we are to note the end of this purgation: to wit, that we should serve the living God. ⟨p. 185⟩For although we be washed by Christ, ¹yet it is not that we should by and by go wallow our selves afresh in our dung: but that our purity might serve to the glory of God. Moreover, the Apostle hereby teacheth us, that nothing proceedeth from us which can be acceptable unto God, till we be purged by the blood of Christ. For seeing we are all of us enemies of God, before we be reconciled, he must in his justice hate all our works. The beginning therefore of the true and lawful service of God, is reconciliation. Furthermore, seeing there is no work of ours so pure and clean without spot, that of it self can be acceptable and well pleasing unto God: therefore it is necessary that the blood of Christ should come between to wash away all the spots that are in them. Thus we must note the seemly antithesis which he makes between the living God; and dead works.

By dead workes, he vnderstands those works which beget death, or which are fruites of death. For euen as the life of the soule consists in the coniunction that wee haue with God; so those who are estranged from him by sinne, are very rightly esteemed dead. Now wee are to note the end of this purgation: to wit, that we should serue the liuing God. ⟨p. 185⟩For although we be washed by Christ, ¹yet it is not that wee should by and by goe wallow our selues afresh in our dung: but that our puritie might serue to the glorie of God. Moreouer, the Apostle hereby teacheth vs, that nothing proceedeth from vs which can be acceptable vnto God, till we be purged by the blood of Christ. For seeing wee are all of vs enemies of God, before wee be reconciled, he must in his iustice hate all our workes. The beginning therefore of the true and lawfull seruice of God, is reconciliation. Furthermore, seeing there is no work of ours so pure and cleane without spot, that of it selfe can bee acceptable and well pleasing vnto God: therefore it is necessarie that the blood of Christ should come betweene to wash away all the spots that are in them. Thus wee must note the seemly antithesis which he makes betweene the liuing God; and dead workes.