Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
While sin is overflowing, [grace] pours itself forth so exuberantly, that it not only overcomes the flood of sin, but wholly absorbs it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the overwhelming nature of grace in contrast to sin, suggesting that grace can entirely negate sin's impact.
John Calvin emphasizes the power of grace as a divine force that not only counters sin but completely envelops and absorbs it. The imagery of overflowing sin being met by exuberant grace suggests that, no matter how abundant sin may appear, grace is even more abundant and capable of providing redemption and transformation.
Themes
GraceSinRedemptionOvercomingDivine
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about forgiveness, one might quote this to illustrate the power of grace.
More from John Calvin
All quotes βThe pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.
John CalvinRead
Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
John CalvinRead
Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil.
John CalvinRead
For as the aged, or those whose sight is defective, when any book, however fair, is set before them, though they perceive that there is something written, are scarcely able to make out two consecutive words, but, when aided by glasses, begin to read distinctly, so Scripture, gathering together the impressions of Deity, which, till then, lay confused in our minds, dissipates the darkness, and shows us the true God clearly.
John CalvinRead
When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
John CalvinRead
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