Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin
CHAPTER 13
all the duties by which men can mutually assist one another; and it is a true mark or proof of love, when they who are united together by the Spirit of God communicate to one another. 288
17. Obey them, etc. I doubt not but that he speaks of pastors and other rulers of the Church, for there were then no Christian magistrates; and what follows, for they watch for your souls, properly belongs to spiritual government. He commands first obedience and then honor to be rendered to them. 289 These two things are necessarily required, so that the people might have confidence in their pastors, and also reverence for them. But it ought at the same time to be noticed that the Apostle speaks only of those who faithfully performed their office; for they who have nothing but the title, nay, who use the title of pastors for the purpose of destroying the Church, deserve but little reverence and still less confidence. And this also is what the Apostle plainly sets forth when he says, that they watched for their souls, --- a duty which is not performed but by those who are faithful rulers, and are really what they are called.
Doubly foolish, then, are the Papists, who from these words confirm the tyranny of their own idol: ``The Spirit bids us obediently to receive the doctrine of godly and faithful bishops, and to obey their wholesome counsels; he bids us also to honor them.'' But how does this favor mere apes of bishops? And yet not only such are all those who are bishops under the Papacy, but they are cruel murderers of souls and rapacious wolves. But to pass by a description of them, this only will I say at present, that when we are bidden to obey our pastors, we ought carefully and wisely to find out those who are true and faithful rulers; for if we render this honor to all indiscriminately, first, a wrong will be done to the good; and secondly, the reason here added, to honor them because they watch for souls, will be rendered nugatory. In order, therefore, that the Pope and those who belong to him may derive support from this passage, they must all of necessity first prove that they are of the number of those who watch for our salvation. If this be made evident, there will then be no question but that they ought to be reverently treated by all the godly. 290
288The words may be thus rendered, "And forget not benevolence (or, literally, well-doing) and liberality." The {δὲ} here should be rendered ``and,'' for this is enjoined in addition to what is stated in the previous verse. The word {εὐποιΐα} means kindness, benevolence, beneficence, the doing of good generally; but {κοινωνία} refers to the distribution of what is needful for the poor. See Romans 15:26, 2 Corinthians 9:13. So that Calvin in this instance has reserved their specific meaning. Stuart's version is ``Forget not kindness also and liberality;'' and he explains the clause thus, ``Beneficence or kindness toward the suffering and liberality toward the needy.'' --- Ed
289Grotius renders the second verb, {ὑπείκετε}, ``concede'' to them, that is, the honor due to their office; Beza, ``be compliant,'' (obsecundate;) and the directions of your guides and submit to their admonitions.'' Doddridge gives the sentiment of Calvin, ``Submit yourselves to them with becoming respect.'' The words may be rendered, ``Obey your rulers and be submissive;'' that is cultivate an obedient, compliant and submissive spirit. He speaks first of what they were to do --- to render obedience and then of the spirit with which that obedience was to be rendered; it was not merely to be an outward act, but proceeding from a submissive mind. Schleusner's explanation is similar, ``Obey your rulers and promptly (or willingly) obey them.'' --- Ed.
290"The Greek interpreters," says Estius, "teach that obedience is due to a bishop, though he be immoral in his conduct; but not if he perverts the doctrine of faith in his public preaching, for in that case he deprives himself of power, as he declares himself to be an enemy to the church." Poole, who quotes this passage, adds, "Let the Papisticals note this, who vociferously claim blind obedience in behalf of their pastors." — Ed.