Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
Ver. 29. Without gainsaying, as soon as sent for] Hoc est sanctum fide; silentium, saith Calvin, this was the holy silence of faith; this was to preach Christ the Lord; and himself the Church's servant, for Jesus' sake. A servant is not αυτοματος, one that moveth absolutely of himself; he is υπηρετης and οργανον, saith Aristotle, the master's instrument, and wholly his, ολως εκεινου, 1 Corinthians 4:5. Peter's pretended successor styleth himself the "servant of God's servants;" but is nothing less.
For what intent] This he desireth to know of them, that he might not shoot at rovers, run at uncertainty; but be able to conclude his discourse, as he did, Det Deus, ut sermo meus adeo commodus sit, quam sit accommodus, God grant my speech may be as profitable as it is seasonable.