John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 32:19

"great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:" — Jeremiah 32:19 (ASV)

He continues with the same subject, for he expresses his wonder and admiration concerning God’s judgments. He first declares that God is great in counsel and great in work. By counsel, he understands the wisdom of God, which not only surpasses all our thoughts but also absorbs them.

Then he mentions the execution of his counsel, which provides evidence of that wisdom which appears to us. Through the works of God, we learn how great and how unequalled his wisdom is, for that wisdom in itself cannot be comprehended. Indeed, men could not have the slightest knowledge of it unless it were made conspicuous by works.

The works of God, then, through their excellence, are evidence of his immeasurable wisdom. For this reason and in this sense, the Prophet calls God great in counsel and great in work.

He adds that his eyes are open on all the ways of men. By these words, he intimates that he is the judge of the whole world, and that whatever men may consult, speak, or do, must come to a reckoning.

The meaning is that the providence of God extends to all parts of the world, so that the works of men cannot possibly be hidden from him, and no one can escape his hand. For after speaking of God’s eyes, he adds, that he may render to every one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.

The Prophet, then, does not speak here of any idle speculation such as ungodly men entertain; for they confess that all things are seen by God but imagine that he is satisfied with having only this bare knowledge. And thus they deprive him of the dignity and office of a judge.

But the Prophet here shows what the end of God’s providence is: why God has his eyes open—namely, that he may at last produce at his tribunal all the sayings and doings of men, indeed, their thoughts also.

We are further taught by these words that our life cannot be rightly formed unless we bear in mind the presence of God, so as to know that his eyes are on us and that there is nothing hidden from him.

For from where does so much liberty in sinning come, except that men grow reckless like fugitives? Just as when a rebellious son withdraws himself from the eyes of his father, he can then abandon himself wholly to sin, for he is freed from all fear and shame.

So our thoughtlessness is like a flight, for we think that we are far removed from God. This then, as I have said, ought always to be remembered: that the eyes of God are open on all our ways, and for this end—that he may render to every one according to his ways, and that every one may gather the fruit of his own doings.

Though, then, God for a time may overlook what we do, and may not manifestly show that he is the judge of men, there is no reason that indifference should creep over us, as though we could escape his hand.

But let us know that all our doings and sayings are now noticed by him, so that he may hereafter show that he is not an idle observer, as some ungodly men dream, but that he is an eyewitness of all things, in order that he may at last appear as our judge.

This passage is used by Papists to support merits by works, but it is a frivolous attempt. For when Scripture declares that it shall be rendered to every one according to his works, it does not exclude the gratuitous mercy of God.

And when God renders a reward to the faithful, it depends on gratuitous pardon, because he forgives them whatever would otherwise vitiate their good works. To speak more precisely, God does not render to the faithful according to their works, except as he gratuitously pardons them and forgives whatever they have done amiss.

Reward, then, depends on the free mercy of God only. As for the wicked, it is no wonder that a just reward is said to be rendered to them, for we know that they are worthy of eternal perdition and that God is a righteous judge when he punishes their sins.