John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 4:2

"For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard." — Hebrews 4:2 (ASV)

For to us, etc. He reminds us that the doctrine by which God invites us to himself today is the same as that which he formerly delivered to the fathers. Why did he say this? It is so that we may know that God's calling will not be any more profitable to us than it was to them, unless we make it sure by faith.

So, he concedes that the Gospel is indeed preached to us. But lest we boast in vain, he immediately adds that the unbelieving, whom God had formerly favored with participation in such great blessings, still received no fruit from them. Therefore, we also will be destitute of his blessing unless we receive it by faith.

He repeats the word hear for this purpose: so that we may know that hearing is useless unless the word addressed to us is received by faith.

But here we must observe the connection between the word and faith. This connection is such that faith is not to be separated from the word, and the word separated from faith can confer no good.

This is not to say, indeed, that the efficacy or power of the word depends on us; for even if the whole world were false, he who cannot lie would still never cease to be true. However, the word never puts forth its power in us unless faith gives it an entrance.

It is indeed the power of God unto salvation, but only to those who believe (Romans 1:16). In it the righteousness of God is revealed, but it is from faith to faith. Thus, the word of God is always efficacious and saving to people when viewed in itself or in its own nature; but no fruit will be found except by those who believe.

Regarding a former statement—when I said that there is no faith where the word is lacking, and that those who make such a separation wholly extinguish faith and reduce it to nothing—this subject is worthy of special notice. For it is therefore evident that faith cannot exist in anyone except the children of God, to whom alone the promise of adoption is offered. For what sort of faith do devils have, to whom no salvation is promised? And what sort of faith do all the ungodly have who are ignorant of the word? Hearing must always precede faith, so that we may indeed know that God speaks and not men.