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…

But in the first place, some are offended that the Apostle doth over nicely gather that all things should not as yet be subject unto Christ, because David meant to comprehend all things generally. For the kinds of creatures which he afterwards reckoneth up, shows nothing of all this: to wit, the beasts of the field, the fishes of the sea, and the birds of the air. I answer, that one general sentence is not to be restrained to these kinds, because Davids meaning was only to show some examples of this lordship in those things which do most ordinarily present themselves before our eyes: or rather to the least things, that we might know nothing is ours but by the bounty of God, and by the participation of Christ. Wherefore we may thus resolve this sentence, Thou hast put all things under him, not only the things which serve to eternal blessedness, but also even those lesser things which serve for the use and benefit of the body. Howsoever, it is certain,that this inferior lordship over the creatures depends upon a superior. Hereupon some make this question; Question. how is it that we see not yet all things subject unto Christ? Answer. But we shall find a solution to this question in the place of Paul before alleged: and we have also somewhat touched the same in the beginning of this Epistle. Christ hath yet continual war with divers enemies, and therefore he is not yet in very deed in the peaceable possession of his kingdom. Now he is not constrained to hold this war by any necessity, but voluntarily: for in that his enemies are not subdued until the last day, it is to the end we in the mean while might be daily tried by such exercises.

But in the first place, some are offended that the Apostle doth ouer nicely gather that all things should not as yet be subiect vnto Christ, because Dauid meant to comprehend al things generally. For the kindes of creatures which hee afterwards reckoneth vp, shewes nothing of all this: to wit, the beasts of the field, the fishes of the sea, and the birds of the ayre. I answere, that one generall sentence is not to bee restrained to these kindes, because Dauids meaning was only to shew some examples of this lordship in those things which doe most ordinarily present themselues before our eyes: or rather to the least things, that wee might know nothing is ours but by the bountie of God, and by the participation of Christ. Wherefore wee may thus resolue this sentence, Thou hast put all things vnder him, not onely the things which serue to eternall blessednes, but also euen those lesser things which serue for the vse and benefit of the bodie. Howsoeuer, it is certaine,that this inferiour lordship ouer the creatures depends vpon a superiour. Hereupon some make this question; Question. how is it that we see not yet all things subiect vnto Christ? Answere. But wee shall finde a solution to this question in the place of Paul before alleaged: and we haue also somewhat touched the same in the beginning of this Epistle. Christ hath yet continuall warre with diuers enemies, and therefore he is not yet in very deede in the peaceable possession of his kingdome. Now he is not constrained to hold this warre by any necessitie, but voluntarily: for in that his enemies are not subdued vntill the last day, it is to the end we in the meane while might be daily tried by such exercises.