John Calvin Commentary John 9:31

"We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth." — John 9:31 (ASV)

Now we know that God hears not sinners. Those who think that the man spoke this, in accordance with the opinion of the people, are mistaken; for the word sinner, in this passage, as in another which recently occurred, means an ungodly and immoral person. It is the uniform doctrine of Scripture, that God does not listen to any but those who call upon him with truth and sincerity.

For while faith alone opens the door to us to go to God, it is certain that all wicked men are excluded from approaching to him; and he even declares that he detests their prayers (Proverbs 28:9), as he abhors their sacrifices (Proverbs 15:8). It is by a special privilege that he invites his children to himself; and it is the Spirit of adoption alone that cries out in our hearts, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). In short, no man is properly disposed to pray to God, unless his heart be purified by faith.

But wicked men profane the sacred name of God by their prayers, and therefore they deserve to be punished for this sacrilege, rather than to obtain anything for salvation. Accordingly, the blind man does not reason inconclusively, that Christ has come from God, because God lends a favorable ear to his prayers.