John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 6:4

"Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:" — Deuteronomy 6:4 (ASV)

Hear, O Israel. When Moses proclaims that God is One, the statement is not confined to His sole essence, which is incomprehensible, but must also be understood to refer to His power and glory, which had been manifested to the people. It is as though he had said that they would be guilty of rebellion unless they abided in the One God, who had placed them under such obligations to Himself.

Therefore, he not only calls him Jehovah, but at the same time infers that He is the God of that people whom he addresses: “Your God.” Thus, all other deities are brought to nothing, and the people are commanded to flee from and detest whatever withdraws their minds from the pure knowledge of Him. For although His name may be left to Him, He is still stripped of His majesty as soon as He is mingled with a multitude of others.

Thus He says by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 20:39): Go you, serve you every one his idols; in which words He not only repudiates all mixed worship but also testifies that He would rather be considered nothing than not be worshipped undividedly.

The orthodox Fathers aptly used this passage against the Arians,²⁸⁰ because, since Christ is everywhere called God, He is undoubtedly the same Jehovah who declares Himself to be the One God. This is also asserted with the same force concerning the Holy Spirit.

²⁸⁰ Vide St. Ath. Or. 3, St. Ath. Or. 3, contra At. sec. 7, 8. Jones of Nayland’s “Cath. Doctrine of Trinity,” chap. 4:2, sums up the argument concisely and well.At. sec. 7, 8. Jones of Nayland’s “Cath. Doctrine of Trinity,” chap. 4:2, sums up the argument concisely and well.