THE EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
ROMANS

1 This particle therefore has reference to what the apostle has taught thus far in this epistle; namely, that a man is righteous not by the law, but by faith in Christ; and that he is delivered from the dominion of sin by the Spirit of Christ, although there still remains a strife in him.

2 He does not say: nothing damnable, for, sin in itself is always damnable, Rom. 3:19, but it extends not to damnation to the faithful, because sin is forgiven to believers for Christ’s sake, and therefore he adds: to them which are in Christ Jesus, that is, who are united to Him by a true faith, Eph. 3:17.

3 That is, who do not follow the lusts of the flesh, or live not according to the same. This the apostle opposes to those who are Christians in word, as an evidence of those, who are truly united to Christ by faith, and consequently delivered from all condemnation, John 15:2, 3.

a John 8:36; Rom. 6:18, 22; Gal. 5:1.

4 That is, the quickening Spirit Who is in Christ Jesus.

5 That is, the power of sin which has reigned in us in the past. And this is a strong proof of the last part of the first verse that believers walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

6 In these two verses he proves the first part of the first verse, namely, that there is no condemnation for believers.

b Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16; Heb. 7:18.

7 Gr. the impossibleness of the law, that is, because it was impossible for the law to do away sin, or to justify man before God.

8 Or, impotent; namely, through the corruption of our nature to justify us and to give us life.

9Christ’s manhood has been a true human nature, however not a sinful nature, but has had only the likeness of a sinful nature, because He has born all our infirmities, in which we lay through sin, Philip. 2:7.

10 Gr. of the flesh of sin.

11 That is, as a sacrifice for sin, Heb. 10:6. Or, for expiation and abolition of sin, Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3.

12 That is, punished, put to death, and took from it the power of accusation.

c 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13.

13 Namely, of Christ, that is, by the sacrifice of Christ, Who suffered for us in the flesh.

14 That is, what the law required, which promised life to those who kept the law perfectly, which demand Christ has fulfilled for us, Gal. 3:13, 14, and 4:4, 5.

15 This the apostle repeats again out of the first verse, not as a cause of justification, which he has denied even of Abraham and David, chapter 4, but as an evidence whereby the believers are known and assured of the truth of their faith, and consequently of their justification; and he lays this evidence as a foundation whereon to build the following exhortation.

d 1 Cor. 2:14.

16 That is, in whom the natural corruption has yet its full power, as before.

17 Or, think, consider, that is, endeavor with their understanding and all their senses after fleshly things; of which the fruits are described at large, Gal. 5:19, 20, 21.

18 That is, who are regenerated by the Spirit of God.

19 That is, give themselves to and endeavor after spiritual things; which are also at large described by the apostle, Gal. 5:22.

20 That is, leads and brings a man to death.

21 That is, is the way to everlasting life and everlasting peace; Rom. 2:10.

22 That is, hostile minded against God, not that the carnal mind always intends to hate God as an enemy, but because that which he takes delight in is odious and hateful to God, and he thereby makes himself hateful before God, Deut. 5:9; Rom. 1:30.

23 Namely, subject itself to the law of God, and obey it from the heart; namely, by reason of the corruption and perverseness which is therein and in the world, wherein it takes pleasure, 1 John 2:15, 16.

24 Namely, as long as they are not delivered out of it by the Spirit of Christ.

25 Namely, who have believed in Christ. For, he properly writes to them, Rom. 1:7.

26 That is, after the flesh, as is expounded in verse 5.

27 That is, after the Spirit, verse 5.

28 Or, seeing, forasmuch as. So also in verse 17.

e 1 Cor. 3:16.

29 Namely, by His gracious operations, such as are illumination of the understanding, confirmation of faith, assurance of salvation, exciting us to prayer, moving to spiritual desires, consolation in crosses and temptations, etc. For, where a man dwells as lord, there he has his authority, and there he does his ordinary work, John 14:16, 17; 1 Cor. 3:16.

30 That is, the same Spirit, Who in the foregoing verse is called the Spirit of God, namely, of the Father; and is here also called the Spirit of Christ, because He also proceeds from Christ, and is procured for us by Christ, John 14:26, and 16:7; Gal. 4:6.

31 Namely, as a true member of His body, which lives and has its spiritual motion only by this Spirit.

32 That is, still mortal, or subject to physical death as is expounded in verse 11.

33 That is, because of the remnants of sin which are yet in you, 1 Cor. 15:56.

34 The word Spirit does not mean the soul, but the Spirit of regeneration. Paul calls this Spirit of regeneration life. (Calvin).

35 That is, partaker of eternal life, and shall always be with God in glory, albeit the body must be put off for a time, 2 Cor. 5:1, 8.

36 Namely, whereby ye are justified, and whereupon sanctification follows also, which Christ begins in us here, and hereafter shall perfect in us, seeing He will not forsake the work which He has begun.

f Rom. 6:4, 5; 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14; Eph. 2:5; Col. 2:13.

37 That is, raise up again to an eternal life, where no sin nor death shall have place anymore.

38 For as the Father raises the dead, so the Son also raises the dead, John 5:21, and here also the Holy Spirit as one and the same God with Them, and of the same power.

39 That is, bound and obliged by the benefits which we have already received, and still expect.

40 Namely, eternal death, as appears by the life which is here promised. And this the apostle says not to cause believers to doubt of their salvation, for he will strongly prove the contrary from the verse following, to the end of the chapter; but he says this to arm them the more against the flesh, and to distinguish true believers from those who give themselves out for believers, and are not such in deed, seeing they testify by their life, that they are not yet regenerated by the Spirit of God; whom by this serious threat he wants to bring unto consideration and conversion.

41 Namely, Who dwells in you, and has already given you power for this purpose, if by prayers and other exercises of piety but properly stir up the same, 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Tim. 1:6.

42 That is, resist, subdue, that they may not live or reign in you.

g destroy the vitality of, kill.

43 That is, the lusts and motions of sin, which is yet remaining in you.

h Gal. 5:18.

44 Or, driven, that is, enlightened in their understanding, and governed and guided in their will and inclinations, to do that which is pleasing unto God.

45 That is, they have the certain evidences, that they are received by God as children through faith in Christ, John 1:12; Eph. 1:13, which he also proves in the two following verses, through their own operations of the Spirit which the believers receive.

i 1 Cor. 2:12; 2 Tim. 1:7.

46 Thus he calls the operation of the Spirit of God by the law, which affrights and terrifies the hearts of men by the threats against transgressors, as we have a clear example thereof in the Israelites, when God pronounced the law of the ten commandments before them from the mountain, Exod. 20:19. To which the apostle here alludes, as also Heb. 12:18, 19.

j Isa. 56:5; Gal. 3:26; 4:5, 6.

47 Hereby is understood the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit by the preaching of the Holy Gospel, which revives the hearts of believers, and assures them of their adoption; to which purpose the following operations serve also. See Gal. 4:6; Eph. 4:30.

48 That is, we boldly dare to call upon Him as our Father. The word Abba signifies Father in the Syrian tongue, which the apostle here retains, because it is a word full of affection, which young children retain almost in all languages, and he adds to it the word Father not only to expound the same, but also the better to express the moving and singular affection of believers in this crying unto God; as Christ also used this doubling of the word Father for this end in His greatest distress, Mark 14:36, and on the cross the doubling of the word, My God, my God, Mark 15:34. See hereafter verse 26.

k 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13; 4:30.

49 Or, witnesseth together to our spirit. That is, the Holy Spirit does not only move us to call upon God for our Father, but witnesses also inwardly unto our spirit that we are God’s children. Or witnesses with our spirit, that is, together with our spirit, which witnesses unto us also, by observing the evidences of our being children of God, which our spirit, by the Spirit of God, finds in itself. Although this testimony is not always alike powerful in believers, yet notwithstanding, it manifests itself many times in their greatest humiliation and distress.

50 Namely, as of our Father, Who gives us part with Him in His heavenly good things.

51 Namely, as of our eldest Brother, to Whom the same belong by nature, and Who makes us also partakers of the same by grace. See verse 29. Luke 22:29; Heb. 1:2.

l 2 Tim. 2:11, 12.

52 That is, willing to suffer, and patient in the same, if it pleases God to call us thereunto, Acts 5:41; 2 Tim. 2:12. And here the apostle begins the second part of this chapter, propounding several, solid reasons of consolations, to strengthen believers in this suffering, and to assure them of the victory over them at last, after his own example.

53 Namely, with Christ, Philip. 3:20, 21.

m Mat. 5:12; 2 Cor. 4:10, 17; Philip. 3:20; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 John 3:1, 2.

54 Gr. of the time of now.

55 Or, is not worthy of the glory, that is, has no likeness in worth with the glory, namely, both in respect of the greatness of this glory, as in respect of the eternity thereof, whereas our suffering here is short and is not laid upon us above that we are able, 2 Cor. 4:17. This is the first reason to move us to patience.

56 Gr. For the longing or waiting of the creature expects with head being lifted up, etc. See also Philip. 1:20.

57 Namely, of heaven and earth, which now contrary to the first institution of God is subject to vanity, that is, must serve wicked men, and also in a great part is subject to destruction for man’s sake, verse 21, from which it shall be delivered again at the last day, Acts 3:21; 2 Peter 3:12, 13. For whereas some hereby understand man, as Mark 16:15, it cannot stand, forasmuch as the ungodly long not after it; and of believers he will specially discourse, verse 23. And this example is the second reason to move believers to patience.

58 That is, not of itself, or according to the order which God first appointed in the creation; for no creature seeks its own destruction. See also verses 38 and 39.

59 That is, by reason of the sin of man, whereby also according to God’s righteous judgment the curse came upon the earth; Gen. 3:17, and upon all other creatures, which must serve man in this state of corruption. Mat. 5:45, and are subject to the abuse of man.

60 In verse 19 he called it waiting, for hope is a patient expectation of something. And is so called here because God has promised this universal deliverance of the creature from destruction and abuse of men, for which the angels and holy souls long, Rev. 6:10, and the other creatures seem to have a natural inclination, to which in the following verse by similitude is called a groaning, and travailing, whereupon deliverance is expected. Some join those words in hope to the next verse and begins thus: In hope because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

61 Such he calls the regenerate because they have received the first gifts of the Holy Ghost, and await that the remainder, which are promised us, shall also follow, as the first fruits, which, being offered up unto God, hallowed the entire lump, Rom. 11:16.

62 That is, in the inmost part of our hearts. See Rom. 7:24.

63 That is, the full possession of the inheritance which was promised us in this adoption.

n that is to say*

64 Namely, from corruption and vanity, 1 Cor. 15:43, 44, and this is the third reason of our comfort in crosses.

o Luke 21:28.

65 That is, where the thing hoped for is present, or is possessed already.

66 Gr. why doth he also hope for it?

67 That is, do not yet fully possess, however it be promised us by God, and shall follow in its time; and this belongs also to the third foundation of our comfort.

68 The Greek word synantilambanetai signifies properly such an help, when one, who is strong, takes up a burden against another, who is too weak, and sets his shoulders against the other to lift up the burden, and to support the shoulder of the other.

69 Namely, which in crosses and suffering we are still subject to, as well in our spirit, which often times murmurs against it, as may be seen in Job and David, as in our body, which is frail and weak.

p Mat. 20:22; James 4:3.

70 Namely, of ourselves, when we are in distress, and can have no refuge but to God by prayer.

71 The Greek word signifies to pray for someone, and is spoken of Christ hereafter, verse 34, Who is our Advocate with the Father, and as Mediator prays for us, 1 John 2:1, which cannot in such manner be ascribed to the Holy Spirit, seeing He is not properly our Mediator; but here it signifies that the Holy Spirit stirs us up to praying with inexpressible groans, and as it were spells our lesson before us how we must pray in our troubles, Luke 12:11, 12; John 16:13; Gal. 4:6.

72 That is, God, Who only knows men’s hearts, 1 Kings 8:39; Rev. 2:23.

73 Or, consideration, meditation, namely of the prayer which the Spirit works in us.

74 That is, according to God’s will, seeing He knows what God will lay upon us for our salvation, how long He would have it to endure, how He will deliver us from it, and whether He will be glorified by our life or death, etc. And this is the fourth foundation of our comfort.

75 Here begins the last reason of consolation, which the believers, in all their troubles, place against all temptations and tribulations, taken from God’s eternal counsel or firm purpose, to bring us to salvation right through the midst of all troubles by the following means.

76 That is, all troubles and tribulations, of which he has spoken up till now.

77 Namely, to true faith, which is powerful by love, not only by an outward but also by an inward and powerful calling, whereupon obedience certainly follows, John 6:44, 65; 1 Cor. 1:24, 26.

78 Namely, which He has purposed in Himself, to save men by grace through Christ. See Eph. 1:9, 11. etc.

79 Namely, for His own, as John 10:14, 27. That is, whom He has chosen in Christ from everlasting unto eternal life, Rom. 11:2; Eph. 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2; and hereafter verse 33.

80 Namely, not only in suffering, but also especially in sanctification, and glorification which shall follow after, 1 Cor. 13:12, and 15:48, and 2 Cor. 3:18.

q Col. 1:18.

81 Namely, unto faith and obedience of faith by a powerful calling, verse 28.

82 Namely, for Himself, through faith; as this word in this entire epistle is taken in this matter, and which entails the purpose of the apostle. For this justification is the next step to glorification.

83 Namely here, in the beginnings by sanctification and adoption unto children, and hereafter, by the full possession of the same glory, verses 17 and 21, and 2 Cor. 3:18.

84 Here the apostle concludes up till now the treatment of the preceding doctrine of this epistle, with an holy pride and triumph in Christ against all accusations and tribulations, which the devil and the world might be able to inflict unto them.

85 Namely, which thus far are previously taught and explained.

r Num. 14:8.

86 That is, is reconciled with us by Christ, has chosen, called, justified us, and shall glorify us, verses 29, 30.

87 Namely, who would be able to accuse us or hurt us, Psalm 56:11, and 118:6.

88 Namely, and thereby, as by an undoubted testimony, has shown that He is with us, Rom. 5:8.

s Gen. 22:12; Isa. 53:5; John 3:16.

89 Namely, into death, Rom. 4:25.

90 Namely, who believe in Him, who love Him, and are called according to His purpose.

91 Namely, with Christ Jesus, Who is the most precious Gift, in Whom all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid, Col. 2:3, so that he who has Him, has all that is needful for him unto salvation.

92 Namely, of grace, as the Greek word implies; which is therefore opposite to all merits of men.

93 That is, all that we have need of for our salvation.

94 Namely, of sin, or the guilt of sin. For it is that whereof we might be accused before God by the law, John 5:45, by our own conscience, Rom. 2:15, or also by Satan, Rev. 12:10.

t Isa. 50:8.

95 That is, Who absolves us from sin and the punishment of sin, and consequently by His release prevents the accusations.

96 That is, who would execute the curse and punishment of sin against us.

97 Namely, to set us free from the curse and punishment of sin, Gal. 3:13.

98 Namely, to perform righteousness unto us, Rom. 4:25.

99 Namely, to deliver us from all enemies, and to give us the Holy Spirit for the assurance hereof, John 16:7; Acts 2:33.

100 Namely, to apply His righteousness unto us by His intercession, John 17:20; in these four things consist our entire reconciliation with God.

u Heb. 7:25.

101 The preceding triumph has been against sin and the punishment of sin; this is against the violence of persecutions and tribulations of the world, and all things else which might befall them therein.

102 Namely, with which He loves us, as verses 37 and 39.

v Psalm 44:22; 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 4:11.

103 That is, persecuted unto death; or, killed, now one person, then another.

104 That is, continually, without ceasing.

105 Namely, Christ, or God in Christ. For both are here expressed, the one in verse 35, and the other in verse 39.

106 Or, I am assured, namely, through the promise of the Holy Gospel unto all believers, John 5:24, and by the testimony of the Holy Spirit in the heart, verse 16.

107 Namely, evil angels; for the good seek not to separate us from Christ; except we would take it for an impossible condition, as Gal. 1:8, 9.

108 Some take this also for names of angels, as Col. 1:16, although it may here be suitably understood of the tyrants and violent ones of this world.

109 Namely, wherewith He loves us, when we are united to Christ by faith, as verse 35.