John Calvin Commentary Luke 18:12

"I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get." — Luke 18:12 (ASV)

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. This is equivalent to saying that he performed more than the law required, just as monks associated with the Papacy talk loftily of their works of supererogation, as if they found no great difficulty in fulfilling God's law.

It must be admitted that each of us, according to the measure of the virtues God has bestowed on him, is all the more strongly bound to thank their Author. It is also an exercise of holy meditation for each of us to ponder the benefits he has received, so that we do not bury God's kindness in ingratitude.

But two things must be observed here: we must not swell with confidence as if we had satisfied God, and, secondly, we must not look down with disdainful contempt on our brothers. The Pharisee erred in both respects. By falsely claiming righteousness for himself, he left no room for God's mercy; and he also despised all others in comparison to himself.

Indeed, Christ would not have disapproved of that thanksgiving if it had not suffered from these two defects.³²⁸ But because the proud hypocrite, by overlooking his sins, confronted God's justice with a pretense of complete and perfect righteousness, his wicked and detestable audacity inevitably led to his downfall. For the only hope of the godly, as long as they struggle with the weakness of the flesh, is, after acknowledging whatever good is in them,³²⁹ to turn to God's mercy alone and to rest their salvation on prayer for forgiveness.³³⁰

But it may be asked, how did this man, blinded by wicked pride, maintain such sanctity of life? For such integrity proceeds only from the Spirit of God, and we are certain that the Spirit does not reign in hypocrites. I reply: he trusted only in outward appearance, as if the hidden and inward uncleanness of the heart would not be taken into account. Though he was full of wicked desires within, yet because he looked only at the appearance, he boldly maintained his innocence.

Our Lord does not, indeed, accuse him of vanity in falsely claiming for himself what he did not possess. However, it should be understood that no one is pure from extortion, injustice, uncleanness, and other vices, unless he is governed by the Spirit of God.

The word Sabbath (σάββατον) denotes in this passage, as in many others, a week. But God never commanded in the Law that His servants should fast every week; therefore, this fasting and the tithes were voluntary exercises beyond the prescriptions of the Law.³³¹

³²⁸ “Si ces deux vices n’y estoyent, qui gastent tout;” — “if those two faults had not been in it, which spoil the whole.”;” — “if those two faults had not been in it, which spoil the whole.”

³²⁹ “Apres avoir recognu le bien qui est en eux par la grace de Dieu;” — “after having acknowledged the good that is in them by the grace of God.”;” — “after having acknowledged the good that is in them by the grace of God.”

³³⁰ “Et mettre leur salut en la confession de leurs pechez, et remission d’iceux;” — “and to place their salvation in the confession of their sins, and forgiveness of them.”;” — “and to place their salvation in the confession of their sins, and forgiveness of them.”

³³¹ “Estoyent des exercises volontaires, et inventez a plaisir;” — “were voluntary exercises, and invented at pleasure.”;” — “were voluntary exercises, and invented at pleasure.”