John Calvin on Luke 15:31-32

31. Son, “Mon enfant;” — “my child.” thou art always with me. This answer consists of two parts. The first is, that the first-born son has no reason to be angry, when he sees his brother kindly received without any loss to himself; “Veu qu’il n’y perd rien;” — “since he loses nothing by it.” and the second is, that, without paying any regard to his brother’s safety, he is grieved on account of the rejoicing occasioned by his return. All my property, says he, is thine: that is, “Though thou hast hitherto carried nothing away out of my house, it has been no loss to the for all is reserved for thee undiminished.” “Ta condition n’en est pas pire; car ie te garde tousiours ton droict entier;” — “thy condition is not the worse for it; for I always preserve thy rights entire.” Besides, why art thou offended at our joy, in which thou oughtest to have shared? for it was proper that thy brother, who we thought had been lost, should now be congratulated on his safety and return. Those two reasons deserve our attention; for, on the one hand, it is no loss to us, “Nous n’y perdons rien;” — “we lose nothing by it.” if God graciously receives into favor those who had been at variance with him on account of their sins; and, on the other hand, it is wicked hardness of heart not to rejoice, when we see our brethren returned from death to life. “Voyans nos freres estre tirez de la mort, et ramenez au chemin de vie;” — “perceiving our brethren to be drawn from death, and led into the way of life.”

Matthew 18:15-20; Luke 17:3

Matthew 18:15-20

Luke 17:3

15. But if thy brother hath sinned against thee, go and reprove him between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16. But if he shall not hear thee, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be confirmed: and if he shall not hear them, tell the church. 17. And if he shall not hear the church, let him be to thee as a heathen and a publican. 18. Verily, I say to thee, What things soever you shall bind on earth “Toutes choses que vous lierez sur la terre;” — “all things which you shall bind on earth.” shall be bound also in heaven; and what things soever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven. 19. Again, I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as to every thing which they shall ask, “De toutes choses qu’ils demanderont;” — “of all things which they shall ask.” it will be done to them by any Father who is in heaven. 20. For where two or three are assembled “Ou il y en a deux ou trois assemblez;” — “where there are two or three of them assembled.” in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

3. Be on your guard. If thy brother shall sin against thee, reprove him; and if he shall repent, forgive him.