John Calvin Commentary Luke 7:47

"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little." — Luke 7:47 (ASV)

Her many sins are forgiven. Some interpret the verb differently, as may her many sins be forgiven, and bring out the following meaning: “As this woman demonstrates by remarkable actions that she is full of ardent love to Christ, it would be improper for the Church to act harshly and severely towards her; on the contrary, she ought to be treated with gentleness, whatever the aggravations of her offenses may have been.”

But as ἀφέωνται is used, in accordance with the Attic dialect, for ἀφεῖνται, we must dispense with that subtlety of exposition which is disapproved by the context. For soon after, Christ uses the same words in his address to the woman, where the imperative mood would not apply. Here, too, a corresponding clause is added: he to whom less is forgiven loveth less.

The verb, which is in the present tense, must, no doubt, be resolved into a preterite.²⁴⁸ From the eager desire she had manifested to discharge all the duties of piety, Christ infers that, although this woman might have been guilty of many sins, the mercy of God was so abundant towards her that she ought no longer to be regarded as a sinner.

Again, loving is not here said to be the cause of pardon,²⁴⁹ but a subsequent manifestation, as I have previously mentioned. The meaning of the words is this: “Those who perceive the display of deep piety in the woman form an erroneous judgment if they do not conclude that God is already reconciled to her.” Consequently, the free pardon of sins comes first in order.

Christ does not inquire at what price humans may purchase the favor of God, but argues that God has already forgiven this wretched sinner, and therefore, a mortal human ought not to treat her with severity.

²⁴⁸ “Combien qu’il faut resoudre le verbe du temps present en un temps passe: comme quand il dit, Ses pechez luy sont pardonnez: il faut entendre, Ont este pardonnez;” — “though the verb must be resolved from the present tense into a past tense: as when he says, ;” — “though the verb must be resolved from the present tense into a past tense: as when he says, Her sins are forgiven, we must understand it to mean, we must understand it to mean, Have been forgiven.””

²⁴⁹ “Il n’est pas dit ici que la dilection ou amour des hommes envers Dieu soit la cause de la remission des pechez;” — “it is not here said that the ;” — “it is not here said that the loving, or the love of men towards God, is the cause of the forgiveness of sins.”or the love of men towards God, is the cause of the forgiveness of sins.”