John Calvin Commentary Acts 17:4

"And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." — Acts 17:4 (ASV)

Certain of them believed. We see here the fruit of Paul’s disputation. He proved plainly that Jesus was for us, and that his resurrection is the life of the world. Yet only some of the Jews believe; the rest are blind at noonday, and with deaf ears refuse the sure and plain truth.

This is also worth noting: while only a few Jews believed, a great multitude of the Greeks, who were much farther off, came to the faith. To what end can you say they were trained up in the doctrine of the law from their childhood, except only that they might be more estranged from God?

Therefore, the Lord now begins to show some signs of that blindness in them which the prophets often denounced to them. Nevertheless, he declares by this that his covenant was not in vain, because he at least gathered some of that people to himself, so that the sparkles of the election may shine in the remnant which was saved freely.

Luke also teaches that they did not believe Paul's sayings merely to the extent that they subscribed to them with a cold consent, but that they testified their earnest affection, because they had joined themselves to Paul and Silas as companions and provoked against themselves the hatred of their nation by the free profession of the gospel.

For what does this joining mean, except that they professed that they approved the doctrine which he delivered, and that they took his part? For there is nothing more contrary to faith than if, when we recognize the truth of God, we nevertheless stand in doubt and are reluctant to join ourselves to any side.

If anyone would rather explain it that they joined themselves to Paul and Silas because they were desiring to learn, so that they might be better instructed personally, this also shows the lively heat of faith. And this always remains an unmovable truth: no one truly believes in Christ except the one who gives himself over to him and freely and willingly fights under his banner.

Of religious Grecians a multitude. Because they had imbibed the first principles of godliness, they were nearer to the kingdom of God than others who had always lain in the filth of superstition. Nevertheless, the question is, how did the Greeks acquire religion, who, being bewitched with wicked errors and delusions, were without God? As Paul teaches (Ephesians 2:12).

But we must know that wherever the Jews were exiled, some seed of godliness went with them, and some savor of pure doctrine was spread abroad. For their miserable dispersion was so turned to an opposite purpose by the wonderful counsel of God, that it gathered to the true faith those who wandered in error.

And though religion among them was also corrupted with many wicked inventions, yet because most of the Gentiles were weary of their own madness, they were enticed to Judaism by this concise principle: that nothing is safer than the worship of the one true God. Therefore, by “religious Greeks” understand those who had some taste of the true and lawful worship of God, so that they were no longer given to gross idolatry.

Though, as I have said, it should be understood that it was only a light and obscure taste, which was far from true instruction. For this reason, Luke improperly gives them such an honorable title. But just as the Spirit of God sometimes graciously bestows the name of faith upon some elementary beginning and first exercise of faith, or even upon a mere preparation for it, so in this passage they are called 'religious' who, having abandoned idols, had begun to acknowledge one God.

And though that confused or obscure persuasion does not in itself deserve to be counted religion, yet because it is a step by which we come nearer to God, it takes its name from the consequence (as they call it) or from that which follows. Indeed, the blind and superstitious fear of God is sometimes called religion—not because it truly is so, but improperly, to note the difference between a deficient worship of God and gross and Epicurean contempt. Nevertheless, let us know that the truth and the sound doctrine of the word of God is the rule of godliness, so that there can be no religion without the true light of understanding.