Religion Quotes by John Calvin

The excellence of the Church does not consist in multitude but in purity.

— John Calvin

The whole gospel is contained in Christ.

— John Calvin

The highest honor in the church is not government but service.

— John Calvin

Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone.

— John Calvin

If the gospel be not preached, Jesus Christ is, as it were, buried.

— John Calvin

Prayer is the chief exercise of faith.

— John Calvin

True faith is ever connected with hope.

— John Calvin

Justification by faith is the hinge on which all true religion turns.

— John Calvin

The one condition for spiritual progress is that we remain sincere and humble.

— John Calvin

The Holy Spirit is the bond by which Christ efficaciously unites us to himself.

— John Calvin

It is therefore faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is not alone.

— John Calvin

Faith is tossed about by various doubts, so that the minds of the godly are rarely at peace.

— John Calvin

“He only who is reduced to nothing in himself, and relies on the mercy of God is poor in spirit”

— John Calvin

Faith consists, not in ignorance, but in knowledge, and that, not only of God, but also of the divine will.

— John Calvin

“He who neglects to pray alone and in private, however assiduously he frequents public meetings, there gives his prayers to the wind.”

— John Calvin

A perfect faith is nowhere to be found, so it follows that all of us are partly unbelievers.

— John Calvin

When our faith is tested by suffering "as gold is tried in a furnace" and we depend with confidence on God and…

— John Calvin

The church is the gathering of God's children, where they can be helped and fed like babies and then guided by her…

— John Calvin

But a most pernicious error widely prevails that Scripture has only so much weight as is conceded to it by the consent…

— John Calvin

If true religion is to beam upon us, our principle must be, that it is necessary to begin with heavenly teaching, and…

— John Calvin

...a man will be justified by faith when, excluded from righteousness of works, he by faith lays hold of the righteousness of…

— John Calvin

The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and…

— John Calvin

The Fanaticism which discards the Scripture, under the pretense of resorting to immediate revelations is subversive of every principle of Christianity. For…

— John Calvin

Now we shall possess a right definition of faith if we call it a firm and certain knowledge of God's benevolence toward…

— John Calvin

For what accords better and more aptly with faith than to acknowledge ourselves divested of all virtue that we may be clothed…

— John Calvin

“For the Word of God is not received by faith if it flits about in the top of the brain, but when…

— John Calvin

For Scripture is the school of the Holy Spirit, in which, as nothing is omitted that is both necessary and useful to…

— John Calvin

On the contrary, therefore, Christ declares that the doctrine of the Gospel, though it is preached to all without exception, cannot be…

— John Calvin

In a way, the futile excuses many people use to cover their superstitions are demolished. They think it is enough to have…

— John Calvin

“He is always careful to take account of the unity and harmony of Scripture teaching. His expositions are not therefore afflicted with…

— John Calvin

The sum is, that the worship of God must be spiritual, in order that it may correspond with His nature. For although…

— John Calvin

Let this point therefore stand: that those whom the Holy Spirit has inwardly taught truly rest upon Scripture, and that Scripture itself…

— John Calvin

“John Calvin, Comment on 2 Cor. 5:20 This is why Paul upholds the teaching of the gospel in such a forceful way…

— John Calvin

“This is why Paul upholds the teaching of the gospel in such a forceful way ... Seeing such an example and such…

— John Calvin

The gospel is not a doctrine of the tongue, but of life.

— John Calvin

Faith and patience are exceptional virtues in those that suffer. Patience is the fruit and evidence of faith.

— John Calvin

“They who strive to build up a firm faith in Scripture through disputation are doing things backwards.”

— John Calvin

Faith and hope...are the wings by which our souls, rising above the world, are lifted up to God.

— John Calvin

It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone.

— John Calvin

Is it faith to understand nothing, and merely submit your convictions implicitly to the Church?

— John Calvin