Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin
Chapter 1
COMMENTARIES
ON THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE HEBREWS CHAPTER 1
Heb 1:1-2
Hebrews 1:1-2
1. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
1. Deus olim multifariam multisque modis loquutus patribus per prophetas, 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
2. Extremis hisce diebus loquutus est nobis per Filium, quem constituit haeredem omnium, per quem etiam secula condidit.
God formerly, etc. This beginning is for the purpose of commending the doctrine taught by Christ; for it shows that we ought not only reverently to receive it, but also to be satisfied with it alone. That we may understand this more clearly, we must observe the contrast between each of the clauses. First, the Son of God is set in opposition to the prophets; then we to the fathers; and, thirdly, the various and manifold modes of speaking which God had adopted as to the fathers, to the last revelation brought to us by Christ. But in this diversity he still sets before us but one God, that no one might think that the Law militates against the Gospel, or that the author of one is not the author of the other. That you may, therefore, understand the full import of this passage, the following arrangement shall be given, ---
God spake Formerly by the Prophets Now by the Son; Then to the Fathers But now to us; Then at various times Now as at the end of the times. This foundation being laid, the agreement between the Law and the Gospel is established; for God, who is ever like himself, and whose word is the same, and whose truth is unchangeable, has spoken as to both in common.
But we must notice the difference between us and the fathers; for God formerly addressed them in a way different from that which he adopts towards