Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin
Heb 10:24-27
Hebrews Chapter 10:24-27
24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 24. Et consideremus nos mutuo in aemulationem charitatis et bonorum operum;
25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
25. Neque deseramus aggregationem nostri, quemadmodum mos est quibusdam; sed exhortemur, idque eo magis, quia videtis approppinquantem diem.
26. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
26. Voluntarie enim peccantibus nobis post acceptam veritatis notitiam, non amplius relinquitur pro peccatis hostia;
27. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
27. Sed terribilis expectatio judicii, et zelus ignis qui devorabit adversarios. 24. And let us consider one another, etc. I doubt not but that he addresses the Jews especially in this exhortation. It is wellknown how great was the arrogance of that nation; being the posterity of Abraham, they boasted that they alone, to the exclusion of all others, had been chosen by the Lord to inherit the covenant of eternal life. Inflated by such a privilege, they despised other nations, and wished to be thought as being alone in the Church of God; nay, they superciliously arrogated to themselves the name of being The Church. It was necessary for the Apostles to labor much to correct this pride; and this, in my judgment, is what the Apostle is doing here, in order that the Jews might not bear it ill that the Gentiles were associated with them and united as one body in the Church.
And first, indeed, he says, Let us consider one another; for God was then gathering a Church both from the Jews and from the Gentiles, between whom there had always been a great discord, so that their union was like the combination of fire and water. Hence the Jews recoiled from this, for they thought it a great indignity that the Gentiles, should be made equal with them. To this goad of wicked emulation which pricked them, the Apostle sets up another in opposition to it, even that of love; or the word {παροξυσμὸς}, which he uses, signifies the ardor of contention. Then that the Jews might not be inflamed with envy, and be led into contention, the Apostle exhorts them to a godly emulation, even to stimulate one another to love. 179
179The words literally are, "And let us observe (or take notice of) one another for the instigation of love and of good works;" that is, "Let us notice the state and circumstances of each other for the purpose of stimulating love and acts of kindness and benevolence, its proper fruits." Love is the principle, and good or benevolent works are what it produces. "And let us attentively consider one another in order to the quickening of love and good works." — Macknight. "Let us moreover attentively regard one another for the sake of