Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin (continued)
CHAPTER 11
We hence learn, that the true character of faith is to set God always before our eyes; secondly, that faith beholds higher and more hidden things in God than what our senses can perceive; and thirdly, that a view of God alone is sufficient to strengthen our weakness, so that we may become firmer than rocks to withstand all the assaults of Satan. It hence follows, that the weaker and the less resolute any one is, the less faith he has.
Heb 11:28-31
Hebrews Chapter 11:28-31
28. Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
28. Fide fecit pascha et aspersionem sanguinis, ut qui perdebat primogenita non tangeret eos.
29. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
29. Fide transierunt mare rubrum quasi per terram siccam; quod quum tentassent Egyptii adsorpti sunt.
30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
30. Fide conciderunt moenia Jericho, circumdata per septem dies. 31. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
31. Fide Rehab meretrix non periit cum incredulis, quum excepisset exploratores cum pace.
28. Through faith he kept the Passover, etc. This ought to have availed much to commend faith to the Jews; for they held this first sacrifice of the Passover in the highest esteem. But, he says, that it was kept by faith, not because the Paschal lamb was a type of Christ, but because its benefit did not appear, when he sprinkled the doorposts with blood: when therefore the effect was yet hid, it was necessarily looked for by faith. Nay, it might have seemed strange, that Moses should set a few drops of blood, as a remedy, in opposition to God's vengeance; but being satisfied with God's word alone, that the people would be exempt from the scourge that was coming on the Egyptians, he did not hesitate. Hence the Apostle justly commends his faith in this respect.
They who explain that the Passover was by faith celebrated by Moses, because he had respect to Christ, say indeed what is true; but the Apostle here records simply his faith, because he acquiesced in God's word alone, when the effect did not appear: therefore out of place here are philosophical refinements. And the reason why he mentions Moses alone, as celebrating the Passover, seems to be this, that God through him instituted the Passover. 235 and surmount them all. "He was strengthened," Doddridge; "he courageously persevered," Macknight; "he continued steadfast," Stuart. The word is only found here. — Ed.
235Some render the words, "by faith he instituted the Passover." The verb is properly to make, but like {{עשהin Hebrew, it is used in a variety of senses. Doddridge has ``celebrated;'' Macknight,