John Calvin Commentary Acts 11:18

"And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life." — Acts 11:18 (ASV)

When they heard these things they were quieted. The outcome shows that those who contended with Peter were not motivated by malice. This is an evident sign of godliness: when thoroughly instructed concerning the will of God, they immediately cease to contend.

This example teaches us not to despise those who, offended by unadvised zeal, wrongfully reprove something. Instead, their consciences, troubled by error, must be appeased by the Word of God. Their teachableness is tested at least to this extent.

Concerning us, we likewise learn from this on what our judgment must depend: namely, upon the sole and simple will of God. For this honor is due to Him, that His will should be for us the certain and principal rule of truth and justice. Whenever it is necessary for us to know the cause of anything, the Lord does not conceal it from us. However, so that He may accustom our faith to just obedience, He sometimes tells us simply and plainly that this or that thing pleases Him.

Anyone who grants himself liberty to inquire further, and takes delight in his curiosity, does nothing else but throw himself recklessly into devilish boldness.

And Luke does not only declare that these men held their peace, but also that they gave glory to God. Some are forced by shame to hold their peace, yet they keep in their minds what they dare not express. That is a pretense of modesty rather than teachableness. But these men so thoroughly submit themselves to God that they are not afraid or ashamed to recant immediately.

Then hath God. Luke briefly declares in these words what the gospel contains and to what end it tends: namely, that God may reconcile men to Himself, being renewed by His Spirit. The word repentance alone is expressed in this place, but when he adds unto life, it appears plainly that it is not separated from faith.

Therefore, whoever wishes to rightly profit in the gospel, let him put off the old man and think upon newness of life (Ephesians 4:22). Once that is done, let him know for certain that he is not called to repentance in vain, but that salvation is prepared for him in Christ.

Thus it will come to pass that the hope and assurance of salvation will rest upon the free mercy of God alone, and the forgiveness of sins will, nevertheless, not be a cause of complacent security.

This phrase, to give repentance, may be explained in two ways: either that God granted to the Gentiles opportunity for repentance when He wanted His gospel preached to them; or that He circumcised their hearts by His Spirit, as Moses says (Deuteronomy 30:6), and made their stony hearts into hearts of flesh, as Ezekiel says (Ezekiel 11:19). For it is a work proper to God alone to fashion and regenerate men, so that they may begin to be new creatures. This second sense agrees better; it is not so strained, and it aligns more closely with the phraseology of Scripture.