Though he had, in a brief manner, sufficiently explained the question respecting the abrogation of the law; yet as it was a difficult one, and might have given rise to many other questions, he now shows more at large how the law, with regard to us, is become abrogated; and then he sets forth what go... [ Continue Reading ]
2._For a woman subject to a man, etc. _He brings a similitude, by which he proves, that we are so loosed from the law, that it does not any longer, properly and by its own right, retain over us any authority: and though he could have proved this by other reasons, yet as the example of marriage was v... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Through the body of Christ. _Christ, by the glorious victory of the cross, first triumphed over sin; and that he might do this, it was necessary that the handwriting, by which we were held bound, should be cancelled. This handwriting was the law, which, while it continued in force, rendered us bo... [ Continue Reading ]
5._For when we were, etc. _He shows still more clearly by stating the contrary effect, how unreasonably the zealots of the law acted, who would still detain the faithful under its dominion; for as long as the literal teaching of the law, unconnected with the Spirit of Christ, rules and bears sway, t... [ Continue Reading ]
6._But now we have been loosed from the law_, _etc. _He pursues the argument derived from the opposite effect of things, — “If the restraint of the law availed so little to bridle the flesh, that it became rather the exciter of sin; then, that we may cease from sin, we must necessarily be freed from... [ Continue Reading ]
7._What then shall we say? _Since it has been said that we must be freed from the law, in order that we may serve God in newness of spirit, it seemed as though this evil belonged to the law, — that it leads us to sin. But as this would be above measure inconsistent, the Apostle rightly undertook to... [ Continue Reading ]
8._For without the law, etc. _He expresses most clearly the meaning of his former words; for it is the same as though he had said, that the knowledge of sin without the law is buried. It is a general truth, which he presently applies to his own case. I hence wonder what could have come into the mind... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For I was alive, etc. _He means to intimate that there had been a time when sin was dead to him or in him. But he is not to be understood as though he had been without law at any time, but this word_I was alive _has a peculiar import; for it was the absence of the law that was the reason why he w... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Was found by me, etc. _Two things are stated here — that the commandment shows to us a way of life in the righteousness of God, and that it was given in order that we by keeping the law of the Lord might obtain eternal life, except our corruption stood in the way. But as none of us obey the law,... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Led me out of the way, etc. _It is indeed true, that while the will of God is hid from us, and no truth shines on us, the life of men goes wholly astray and is full of errors; nay, we do nothing but wander from the right course, until the law shows to us the way of living rightly: but as we begi... [ Continue Reading ]
12._So then the law is indeed holy_, _etc. _Some think that the words _law _and _commandment _is a repetition of the same thing; with whom I agree; (216) and I consider that there is a peculiar force in the words, when he says, that the law itself and whatever is commanded in the law, is _holy_, and... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Has then what is good_, _etc. _He had hitherto defended the law from calumnies, but in such a manner, that it still remained doubtful whether it was the cause of death; nay, the minds of men were on this point perplexed, — how could it be that nothing but death was gained from so singular a gift... [ Continue Reading ]
14._For we know that the law, etc. _He now begins more closely to compare the law with what man is, that it may be more clearly understood whence the evil of death proceeds. He then sets before us an example in a regenerate man, in whom the remnants of the flesh are wholly contrary to the law of the... [ Continue Reading ]
15._For what I do I know not_, _etc. _He now comes to a more particular case, that of a man already regenerated; (221) in whom both the things which he had in view appear more clearly; and these were, — the great discord there is between the Law of God and the natural man, — and how the law does not... [ Continue Reading ]
16._But if what I desire not, I do, I consent to the law, etc._; that is, “When my heart acquiesces in the law, and is delighted with its righteousness, (which certainly is the case when it hates the transgression of it,) it then perceives and acknowledges the goodness of the law, so that we are ful... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Now it is no more I who do it_, _etc. _This is not the pleading of one excusing himself, as though he was blameless, as the case is with many triflers who think that they have a sufficient defense to cover all their wickedness, when they cast the blame on the flesh; but it is a declaration, by w... [ Continue Reading ]
18._For I know_, _etc. _He says that no good by nature dwelt in him. Then _in me_, means the same as though he had said, “So far as it regards myself.” In the first part he indeed arraigns himself as being wholly depraved, for he confesses that no good dwelt in him; and then he subjoins a modificati... [ Continue Reading ]
19.The same view is to be taken of the expression which next follows, — that he _did not the good _which he _desired_, but, on the contrary, _the evil _which he _desired not: _for the faithful, however rightly they may be influenced, are yet so conscious of their own infirmity, that they can deem no... [ Continue Reading ]
21._I find then_, _etc. _Here Paul supposes a fourfold law. The first is the law of God, which alone is properly so called, which is the rule of righteousness, by which our life is rightly formed. To this he joins the law of the mind, and by this he means the prompt readiness of the faithful mind to... [ Continue Reading ]
22._For I consent _(230) _to the law of God_, _etc. _Here then you see what sort of division there is in pious souls, from which arises that contest between the spirit and the flesh, which [Augustine ] in some place calls the Christian struggle (_luctam Christianam _.) The law calls man to the rule... [ Continue Reading ]
24._Miserable_, _etc. _He closes his argument with a vehement exclamation, by which he teaches us that we are not only to struggle with our flesh, but also with continual groaning to bewail within ourselves and before God our unhappy condition. But he asks not by whom he was to be delivered, as one... [ Continue Reading ]
25._I thank God; etc. _He then immediately subjoined this thanksgiving, lest any should think that in his complaint he perversely murmured against God; for we know how easy even in legitimate grief is the transition to discontent and impatience. Though Paul then bewailed his lot, and sighed for his... [ Continue Reading ]