John Calvin Commentary Matthew 25:9

"But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." — Matthew 25:9 (ASV)

Lest there be not enough for you and us. We know that the Lord distributes His gifts so variously to each, according to their measure, so that they may mutually aid each other and may employ for the general advantage what has been entrusted to each individual. In this way, the sacred connection that exists among the members of the Church is preserved.

But Christ here points out the time when He will summon all people to His tribunal, each carrying their bundle, so that they may bring with them according to what they have done in their body. That portion of grace received, which everyone has laid up for themselves, is therefore justly compared to a stock of provisions for a journey, which would not be enough for a greater number of people.

But rather go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. These words immediately follow and are not intended as an admonition, but a reproof. The meaning is: “There once was a time for buying, which you should not have neglected; for oil was at that time offered for sale, but the means of obtaining it are now withdrawn.”

And yet it is foolish for the Papists to infer from this that by our own virtues or effort we obtain the gift of perseverance. For the word buy does not at all imply that a price has been given, as appears clearly from the passage in Isaiah 55:1. There the Lord, while He invites us to buy, demands no price but informs us that He has wine and milk in abundance, to be freely given. Therefore, there is no other way of obtaining it but to receive by faith what is offered to us.