Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin sense he calls them the living and the dead, we may learn from the fifteenth chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians
1 Peter 4:6-11
1 Peter 4:6-11 6. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
6. In hoc enim et mortuis evangelizatus fuit (vel, praedicatum fuit evangelium,) ut judicentur quidem secundum homines carne, vivant autem secundum Deum spiritu.
7. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
7. Porro omnium finis propinquus est: sobrii itaque estote, et vigilantes ad precandum.
8. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
8. Ante omnia vero charitatem inter vos intentam habentes; quia charitas operiet multitudinem peccatorum.
9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 9. Invicem hospitales sine murmurationibus. 10. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
10. Ut quisque aecepit donum, ministrantes illud inter vos, tanquam boni dispensatores multiplicis gratiae Dei.
11. If any speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
11. Siquis loquitur, loquatur tanquam eloquia Dei; siquis ministrat, tanquam ex virtute quam suppeditat Deus; ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus per Jesum Christum; cui est gloria et imperium in secula seculorum. Amen.
6 For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, or, He has been evangelized to the dead. We see in what sense he takes the former passage in the third chapter, even that death does not hinder Christ from being always our defender. It is then a remarkable consolation to the godly, that death itself brings no loss to their salvation. Though Christ, then, may not appear a deliverer in this life, yet his redemption is not void, or without effect; for his power extends to the dead. But as the Greek word is doubtful, it may be rendered in the masculine, or in the neuter gender; but the meaning is almost the same, that is, that Christ had been made known as a redeemer to the dead, or that salvation had been made known to them by the gospel. But if the grace of Christ once penetrated to the dead, there is no doubt but that we shall partake