John Calvin Commentary Genesis 6:18

"But I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons` wives with thee." — Genesis 6:18 (ASV)

But with thee will I establish my covenant. Since the construction of the ark was very difficult, and innumerable obstacles might perpetually arise to break off the work when begun, God confirms his servant by an additional promise. Thus Noah was encouraged to obey God, because he relied on the Divine promise and was confident that his labor would not be in vain.

For then we freely embrace the commands of God when a promise is attached to them, which teaches us that we shall not spend our strength for nothing. Hence it appears how foolishly the Papists are deceived, who frivolously argue that men are led away by the doctrine of faith from the desire of doing well.

For what will be our degree of eagerness in doing good, unless faith enlightens us? Let us therefore know that it is the promises of God alone that quicken us and inspire each of our members with vigor to yield obedience to God. But without these promises, we not only lie torpid in indolence but are almost lifeless, so that neither hands nor feet can do their duty.

Therefore, as often as we become languid or more remiss than we ought to be in good works, let the promises of God recur to us to correct our tardiness. For thus, according to the testimony of Paul (Colossians 1:5), love flourishes in the saints on account of the hope laid up for them in heaven.

It is especially necessary that the faithful should be confirmed by the Word of God, lest they faint in the midst of their course, so that they may certainly be assured that they are not beating the air, as they say; but that, trusting in the promise given them and being sure of success, they follow God who calls them.

This connection, then, must be kept in mind: when God was instructing his servant Moses what he would have him do, he declares, for the purpose of retaining him in obedience to himself, that he requires nothing of him in vain.

Now, the essence of this covenant of which Moses speaks was that Noah would be safe, even though the whole world would perish in the deluge. For there is an understood contrast: while the whole world was being rejected, the Lord would establish a special covenant with Noah alone.

Therefore, it was Noah's duty to hold up this promise of God, like an iron wall, against all the terrors of death, just as if it were God's purpose, by this single word, to distinguish between life and death.

But the covenant with him is confirmed with this attached condition: that his family will be preserved for his sake, and also the animals, for repopulating the new world—a topic about which I will say more in the ninth chapter (Genesis 9:1).