John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 19:1

"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying," — Leviticus 19:1 (ASV)

And the Lord spake. This is the object of the exhortation: first, that they should not measure the service of God by their own conceptions, but rather by His nature; and secondly, that they should begin by studying²⁸¹ to be holy.

For nothing is harder than for people to rid themselves of their carnal affections to prepare for imitating God. Besides, they willingly slumber in their own filthiness and seek to conceal it with the outward appearance of religion.

Here, then, they are recalled to the imitation of God, who, in adopting them, desired that they should bear His image, just as good and true children resemble their father. If anyone should claim to be equal with God, such rivalry would be madness; but although the most perfect fall very far short even of the angels, yet the weakness of even the humblest person does not prevent them from aspiring to the example of God.

To this point all the ceremonies were directed, by which God trained His ancient people in holiness, as we shall see later. Although this declaration does not occur only once, yet because it is added in other places to specific precepts for their confirmation, let it be enough for now to grasp the general doctrine it contains.

²⁸¹ “Pour le servir deuement, ils commencent par ce bout, de se purifier de toutes souillures;” in order to serve Him duly, they should begin by purifying themselves from all uncleanness — Fr.