John Calvin

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Books Of Kings

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Four quotes from well-known religious figures about the Old Testament Books of I and II Kings:

Augustine of Hippo

“In the Books of Kings we see how the rise and fall of rulers is governed not by chance but by the providence of God, who exalts the humble and brings down the proud.” —Augustine, reflecting on divine sovereignty in Israel’s monarchy

John Calvin

“Kings were set before the people as mirrors, that in their obedience or rebellion the whole nation might behold the blessing of walking with God or the misery of departing from Him.” —Calvin, commenting on the moral purpose of Israel’s kingship

John Wesley

“The history of the Kings shows that no outward form of religion can preserve a nation when the heart turns from God; holiness must begin within.” —Wesley, emphasizing inward faithfulness over ritual

Matthew Henry

“These books teach us that God’s patience with His people is great, yet His justice will not sleep forever; mercy invites, but judgment warns.” —Henry, summarizing the theological rhythm of Kings

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Joshua

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Here are four awesome quotes about the sixth book of the Bible, Joshua.

Origen of Alexandria (3rd century)

“Joshua, the son of Nun, is a figure of Jesus Christ; for he leads the people into the promised land, as Jesus leads believers into the kingdom of heaven.”
— Homilies on Joshua

Augustine of Hippo (4th–5th century)

“It was not Moses, but Joshua, who led the people into the land of promise—showing that the Law brings us to the border, but grace brings us in.”
— Sermons on the Old Testament

John Calvin (16th century)

“In the victories of Joshua, God displayed that the land was given not by human strength, but by His own hand and promise.”
— Commentary on the Book of Joshua

Matthew Henry (17th–18th century)

“Joshua’s book is a record of God’s faithfulness in the performance of His promises, and of Israel’s duty in the enjoyment of them.”
— Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Joshua

They Said It: Four Quotes On Leviticus

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Some interesting and insightful quotes about the third book of the Bible, Leviticus.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

“Leviticus teaches us that holiness is not an abstract concept but a way of life, shaping how we live, how we love, and how we treat one another.”
— Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the UK

John Calvin

“In Leviticus God shows that true worship must begin with atonement. Without reconciliation to God, nothing we do can be pleasing in His sight.”
— John Calvin, Reformer and theologian

N.T. Wright

“Leviticus forms the vital foundation for understanding Jesus’ work. Its sacrifices and purity codes point forward to the healing, forgiveness, and restoration He brings.”
— N.T. Wright, New Testament scholar and bishop

Matthew Henry

“Though many parts of Leviticus appear obscure to us, the whole book points to Christ, the true sacrifice and our great High Priest.”
— Matthew Henry, Bible commentator

They Said It: Four Quotes On Genesis

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Here are some famous quotes about the first book in the Bible, Genesis.

Saint Augustine (354–430 AD)

“In the beginning, God created — these words are the foundation of all that we believe. The world is not eternal; it had a beginning, and that beginning was God Himself.”

C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)

“The first chapters of Genesis give the story of the human condition — not as science, but as revelation — showing us not how man came to be, but why he is as he is.”

John Calvin (1509–1564)

“The Book of Genesis is the fountain from which the whole of Scripture flows. For there we see both the origin of the world and the covenant of God with man.”

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (1948–2020)

“Genesis is not a book about beginnings alone; it is a book about relationships — between God and humanity, man and woman, brother and brother — and how the drama of freedom unfolds.”

They Said It: Famous Quotes About The Book Of Romans

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Here are some famous quotes from influential religious leaders about Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. 

Martin Luther

“The Epistle to the Romans is the true masterpiece of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul.”

— Martin Luther, Preface to the Epistle to the Romans (1522)

John Calvin

“When anyone understands this Epistle, he has a passage opened to him to the understanding of the whole Scripture.”

— John Calvin, Commentary on Romans (1540)

Frederic Godet

“Every great spiritual revival in the Church will be connected as effect and cause with a deeper understanding of this book.”

— Frederic Godet, Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (1869)

John Stott

“Romans is the fullest, plainest, and grandest statement of the Gospel in the New Testament. Its message is still as relevant and revolutionary as when it was first written.”

— John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World (1994)