John Calvin Commentary Luke 1:45

"And blessed [is] she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord." — Luke 1:45 (ASV)

And blessed is she that believed. It was by a hidden movement of the Spirit, as is evident from a former statement of Luke, that Elisabeth spoke. The same Spirit declares that Mary is blessed because she believed, and by commending Mary’s faith, informs us generally what constitutes the true happiness of humankind.

Mary was blessed because, by embracing in her heart the promise of God, she conceived and brought forth a Savior to herself and to the whole world. This was unique to her. However, since we do not possess a drop of righteousness, life, or any other benefit, except as the Lord presents them to us in His Word, it is faith alone that rescues us from the lowest poverty and misery and makes us partakers of true happiness.

There is great weight in this clause: for there shall be a fulfillment to those things which have been told her. The meaning is that faith makes way for the divine promises, so that they may be fulfilled in us. The truth of God certainly does not depend on the will of people, for God remains always true (Romans 3:4), even if the whole world—unbelievers and liars—should attempt to undermine His veracity.

Yet, as unbelievers are unworthy to obtain the fruit of the promises, Scripture teaches us that it is by faith alone that these promises become powerful for our salvation. God offers His benefits indiscriminately to all, and faith opens its bosom⁴⁴ to receive them, while unbelief allows them to pass by, so they do not reach us.

If there had been any unbelief in Mary, that could not have prevented God from accomplishing His work in any other way He might choose. But she is called blessed because she received by faith the blessing offered to her and opened up the way for God to accomplish it. Unbelief, on the other hand, shuts the gate and restrains His hand from working, so that those who refuse the praise due to His power may not feel its saving effect.

We must also observe the relation between the word and faith, from which we learn that, in the act of believing, we give our assent to God who speaks to us and hold as certain what He has promised to us that He will do. The phrase by the Lord has the same meaning as an expression in common use, on the part of God; for the promise had been brought by the angel, but proceeded from God alone.

Hence we infer that, whether God employs the ministry of angels or of humans, He wishes equal honor to be paid to His Word as if He were visibly descending from heaven.

⁴⁴ “Sinum expandit;” — “;” — “mais la foy, par maniere dire, tend son giron pour les recevoir;” —— “but faith, so to speak, holds its lap to receive them.”but faith, so to speak, holds its lap to receive them.”