John Calvin Commentary 2 Timothy 2:19

"Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." — 2 Timothy 2:19 (ASV)

Nevertheless the foundation of God stands firm. We know too well, by experience, how much scandal is produced by the apostasy of those who at one time professed the same faith with ourselves. This is especially the case with those who were extensively known, and who had a more brilliant reputation than others; for, if any of the common people apostatize, we are not so deeply affected by it. But those who in the ordinary opinion of men held a distinguished rank, having been formerly regarded as pillars, cannot fall in this manner without involving others in the same ruin with themselves; at least, if their faith has no other support. This is the subject which Paul has now in hand; for he declares that there is no reason why believers should lose heart, although they see those persons fall whom they were used to consider the strongest.

He makes use of this consolation: that the fickleness or treachery of men cannot hinder God from preserving His Church to the end. And first, he reminds us of the election of God, which he metaphorically calls a foundation, expressing by this word its firm and enduring constancy. Yet all this tends to prove the certainty of our salvation, if we are of the elect of God. It is as if he had said, “The elect do not depend on changing events, but rest on a solid and immovable foundation, because their salvation is in the hand of God.”

For as every plant which the heavenly Father has not planted
must be rooted up (Matthew 15:13), so a root that has been fixed by His hand is not liable to be injured by any winds or storms.

First of all, therefore, let us hold this principle: that, amid such great weakness of our flesh, the elect are nevertheless beyond the reach of danger, because they do not stand by their own strength but are founded on God. And if foundations laid by human hands have so much firmness, how much more solid will be that which has been laid by God Himself? I am aware that some refer this to doctrine, saying, “Let no one judge its truth from the instability of men”; but it may easily be inferred from the context that Paul speaks of the Church of God, or of the elect.

Having this seal. The word signaculum (which denotes either “a seal” or “the print of a seal”) having led some people into error, who thought it was intended to denote a mark or impression, I have translated it sigillum (a seal), which is less ambiguous. And indeed, Paul means that under the secret guardianship of God, as a signet, is contained the salvation of the elect, as Scripture testifies that they are

written in the book of life (Psalms 69:28; Philippians 4:3).

The Lord knows who are His. This clause, together with the word seal, reminds us that we must not judge by our own opinion whether the number of the elect is great or small; for what God has sealed He wishes to be, in some respect, kept hidden from us. Besides, if it is the prerogative of God to know who are His, we need not wonder if a great number of them are often unknown to us, or even if we fall into mistakes in making the selection.

Yet we ought always to observe why and for what purpose he makes mention of a seal; that is, when we see such occurrences, let us instantly call to remembrance what we are taught by the Apostle John: that

they who went out from us were not of us (1 John 2:19).

Hence arises a twofold advantage:

1. Our faith will not be shaken, as if it depended on men; nor shall we be dismayed, as often happens when unexpected events take place.
2. Being convinced that the Church shall nevertheless be safe, we shall more patiently endure that the reprobate go to their own lot, to which they were appointed, because the full number with which God is satisfied will remain.

Therefore, whenever any sudden change happens among men, contrary to our opinion and expectation, let us immediately call to remembrance, “The Lord knows who are His.”

Let everyone that calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity. As he formerly addressed the scandal by saying, “Let not the revolt of any man produce excessive alarm in believers,” so now, by presenting this example of hypocrites, he shows that we must not trifle with God by a false profession of Christianity. It is as if he had said, “Since God thus punishes hypocrites by exposing their wickedness, let us learn to fear Him with a sincere conscience, lest anything of that kind should happen to us. Whoever, therefore, calls upon God, that is, professes to be and wishes to be considered one of the people of God, let him depart from all iniquity.” For to “call on the name of Christ” here means to glory in Christ’s honorable title and to boast of belonging to His flock.

This is similar to how having the name of a man called on a woman (Isaiah 4:1) means the woman is accounted to be his lawful wife. Likewise, having the name of Jacob called on all his posterity (Genesis 48:16) means that the name of the family will be maintained in uninterrupted succession, because the race is descended from Jacob.