John Calvin Commentary John 12:47

"And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." — John 12:47 (ASV)

If any man hear my words. After speaking about his grace and exhorting his disciples to steady faith, he now begins to strike the rebellious, though even here he mitigates the severity due to the wickedness of those who deliberately—so to speak—reject God; for he delays to pronounce judgment on them because, on the contrary, he has come for the salvation of all.

First, we should understand that he does not speak here of all unbelievers without distinction, but of those who knowingly and willingly reject the doctrine of the Gospel which has been presented to them. Why then does Christ not choose to condemn them? It is because he lays aside for a time the office of a judge, offers salvation to all without reserve, and stretches out his arms to embrace all, so that all may be more encouraged to repent.

And yet there is a circumstance of considerable importance by which he points out the aggravation of the crime if they reject an invitation so kind and gracious. For it is as if he had said, “Look, I am here to invite all; and, forgetting the character of a judge, my single object is this: to persuade all and to rescue from destruction those who are already twice ruined.” Therefore, no one is condemned for having despised the Gospel, except the one who, scorning the lovely message of salvation, has chosen of his own accord to bring destruction upon himself.

The word judge, as is evident from the word save, which is contrasted with it, here signifies to condemn. Now this should be understood as referring to the office that properly and naturally belongs to Christ. For the fact that unbelievers are not more severely condemned on account of the Gospel is accidental and does not arise from its nature, as we have said on former occasions.