John Calvin Commentary Acts 26:17

"delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee," — Acts 26:17 (ASV)

Delivering thee. In this passage, Paul is armed against all fear that was prepared for him, and he is also prepared to bear the cross. Nevertheless, a question arises. Christ immediately adds that Paul should come to give light to the blind, to reconcile to God those who were estranged from Him, and to restore salvation to those who were lost. It is therefore a marvel why Christ does not also promise that these people, in turn, will receive Paul joyfully, especially since they will receive such great benefits through him.

But the unthankfulness of the world is highlighted for us here: the ministers of eternal salvation are rewarded very differently, just as frantic men rail against their physicians. And Paul is admonished that wherever he will go, a great part of those to whom he will strive to do good will hate him and seek his destruction.

And Christ says plainly that Paul is appointed to be a witness both to Jews and Gentiles, so that Paul’s making the gospel common to both alike would not turn to his reproach. For the Jews had conceived such deadly hatred against him for this reason: it grieved them that the Gentiles should be made their fellows.

Although they pretended that this proceeded from zeal, because they did not want the covenant that God made with the descendants of Abraham to be profaned by being extended to strangers, mere ambition actually spurred them on. They alone wanted to be preeminent, with all others being subordinate.

But in the example of this one man, all godly teachers are encouraged to do their duty. They should not be hindered or kept back by the malice of men from offering the grace of God to miserable men, even though they are unworthy.