John Calvin Commentary Acts 21:23

"Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them;" — Acts 21:23 (ASV)

Do what we say to you. The elders seem (as I said just now) to have fallen into a foolish indulgence through too much love of their nation. But the clear judgment of that matter depends on circumstances hidden from us today; however, they knew them well.

The whole body consisted almost entirely of Jews, so they did not need to fear offending the Gentiles. For in other regions, this was the cause of division, because everyone was attached to their own customs and wanted to impose rules on others. Moreover, they had many things at Jerusalem that might encourage them to keep the ceremonies of the law, so that they had a greater excuse if they forsook them more slowly.

And though their zeal was not without fault, yet since it was a difficult matter to reform it, it could not be done suddenly. We see how this superstition was scarcely removed from the apostles over a long period; and because new disciples came daily to the faith, this weakness was nourished in them all.

And yet, nevertheless, we must not deny that ignorance was combined with obstinacy, which the elders still tolerated, lest they should do more harm by using violent remedies. I leave it undecided whether they exceeded proper limits or not.

Having a vow upon them. Though these four were reckoned among the faithful, yet their vow was superstitious. From this it appears that the apostles had much trouble with that nation, which was not only hardened in observing the rituals of the law through long custom but was also naturally impudent and almost unmanageable.

It may be that these men were still only novices, and therefore their faith was still weak and scarcely well-formed; for this reason, the teachers allowed them to perform the vow they had unwisely made.

Regarding Paul, because he made this vow not moved to it by his own conscience, but for the sake of those whose error he tolerated, the situation was different for him.

Nevertheless, we must consider whether this was one of those ceremonies of indifference, which the faithful might omit or observe as they pleased. It seems, indeed, to have certain elements within it that did not align with the profession of faith. But because its purpose was thanksgiving (as we said before in the eighteenth chapter), and there was nothing in the rite itself contrary to the faith of Christ, Paul did not hesitate to condescend this far to demonstrate his piety.

Therefore, Paul did what he says of himself elsewhere, because he made himself a companion of those who followed the law, as if he himself were under the law (1 Corinthians 9:20). Finally, he was made all things to all men, that he might win all; namely, even to the altars, provided he did not pollute himself with any sacrilege under the guise of love.

It would not have been as lawful for him to go to the solemn sacrifice of satisfaction. But as for this part of God’s worship, which consisted of a vow, he could observe it as a matter of indifference, provided it was not done out of religious obligation but only to support the weak.

But it was neither his intent to worship God with this rite, nor was his conscience bound; rather, he freely submitted himself to his weak brothers.