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…

For if the word spoken by Angels was steadfast:] Verse 2 That is to say, had his weight; because God did authorize it. Which may be the better understood by those articles which contain the threatenings: for no breaker or contemner of the Law went unpunished. This steadfastness then signifies Authority: and that which is added of reward or punishment, is to be taken as an exposition of the former word steadfast: because it did hereby well appear that it was not a vain or needless doctrine, seeing God showed his mighty hand in punishing the transgressors of it.

For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast:] Verse 2 That is to say, had his weight; because God did authorize it. Which may be the better vnderstood by those articles which containe the threatnings: for no breaker or contemner of the Law went vnpunished. This stedfastnes then signifies Authoritie: and that which is added of reward or punishment, is to be taken as an exposition of the former word stedfast: because it did hereby well appeare that it was not a vaine or needlesse doctrine, seeing God shewed his mightie hand in punishing the transgressors of it.

If we neglect:] Not only the rejection, Verse 3 but also the very contempt of the Gospel doth justly deserve punishment, that is, in regard of the greatness of that grace which is offered ⟨p. 30⟩therein. And therefore he saith, so great salvation. For God would have us to esteem his gifts according to their excellency. By how much the more precious they be then, so much the more is our vile ingratitude, if we prize them not according to their value. Now for as much as Christ is great; great and rigorous will Gods vengeance be upon all the contemners of the Gospel. And it is to be noted, that the name of salvation is transferred in this place by the figure Metonymia, to the doctrine: because as it is Gods will and pleasure that men shall be no other way saved than by the Gospel; ¹so, in rejecting of it, we reject the salvation of God. For it is the power of God to all them that believe. He then which seeks salvation by any other means, he will have it without the power and virtue of God; and what a senselessness is that? But this title tends not only to the magnifying of the Gospel, but it is also a singular stay and prop of our faith: because it testifies that the word is not in vain, but contains in it most certain and assured salvation.