John Calvin Commentary John 3:33

"He that hath received his witness hath set his seal to [this], that God is true." — John 3:33 (ASV)

But he who receiveth his testimony. Here he exhorts and encourages the godly to embrace boldly the doctrine of the Gospel, as if he had said that there was no reason why they should be ashamed or uneasy because of their small number, since they have God as the Author of their faith, who alone abundantly suffices for us in place of all the rest.

And, therefore, though the whole world should refuse or withhold faith in the Gospel, this should not prevent good people from giving their assent to God. They have something on which they can safely rest, when they know that to believe the Gospel is nothing other than to assent to the truths which God has revealed.

Meanwhile, we learn that it is characteristic of faith to rely on God and to be confirmed by His words, for there can be no assent unless God has first come forward and spoken. By this doctrine, faith is not only distinguished from all human inventions but also from doubtful and wavering opinions. For it must correspond to the truth of God, which is free from all doubt. Therefore, as God cannot lie, it would be absurd for faith to waver. Fortified by this defense, whatever schemes Satan may use in his attempts to disturb and shake us, we will always remain victorious.

From this, we are also reminded how acceptable and precious a sacrifice faith is in the sight of God. As nothing is more dear to Him than His truth, so we cannot offer Him more acceptable worship than when we acknowledge by our faith that He is true, for then we ascribe to Him the honor that truly belongs to Him.

On the other hand, we cannot offer Him a greater insult than not to believe the Gospel. For to deprive Him of His truth is, in effect, to take away all His glory and majesty. His truth is in a way closely linked with the Gospel, and it is His will that it should be recognized there.

Unbelievers, therefore, as far as it is in their power, leave God with nothing at all; not that their wickedness overthrows the faithfulness of God, but because they do not hesitate to charge God with falsehood.

If we are not harder than stones, this lofty title by which faith is adorned should kindle in our minds the most fervent love for it. For how great is the honor which God confers on poor, worthless people, when they, who by nature are nothing other than falsehood and vanity, are considered worthy of attesting by their seal to the sacred truth of God?