Romans 3

Romans 3:1

ADvantage] Since both Jew and Gentile lie both under the same malediction, and the Jew in regard of his greater knowledge and outward profession of observing the law, if he fail in the practice thereof, (as he proved in the former Chapter the best of them do) is like to receive more and smarter stripes, what benefit or preferment hath the Jew, above the Gentile?

Profit] If so be that there is no vertue in it, for want of the perfect observation of the law, whereof Circumcision was but a holy signe.

Romans 3:2

chiefly] Or, first.

Chiefly] Forasmuch as the Jews have received of old the promises of God in Christ, whereof the Circumcision was a Seal, according to the true order of God, Romans 1:11. They had the first offer: and this is the chiefest and foundation of all other advantages, which the Apostle doth set forth more at large, Chap. 9. 4. Ephes. 1. 11, 12.

Oracles of God] The instruments, deeds, and evidences of the covenant, contained in the writings of Moses and the Prophets, Psal. 147. 19, 20. Acts 7:38. The oracles of God were committed to the Jews, that is, intrusted as a pawn or precious pledge which they have kept and preserved for the whole Church; and in this regard S. Austine and other of the Fathers terme the Jewes Scriniarios Christianorum, the registers or record keepers of the Christians; for they, dispersed among all nations, beare as it were before them the Scriptures, those glasses, wherebywe Christians clearly see the right way to heaven, and their manifold errours and wanderings.

Romans 3:3

Faith of God, &c.] That is, if any do say that this advantage was lost by the unbelief of a great part of the people, the answer is, That the faithfulnesse of God and his promises and covenants were still verified and performed in his elect, in whose behalf they were made, notwithstanding their manifold defects, which God alwayes supplyeth by his grace and mercy, and thereby his glory was the more illustrated.

Romans 3:4

God forbid] Gr. be it not, or, farre be it from us so to think or say.

yea, let] Or, but, let.

let God be true] That is, be confessed and acknowledged true in maintianing of his covenant, and fulfilling his promise, notwithstanding the unbelief of some, and the unworthinesse of all.

every man a lyar] Psalms 116:11.

That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings] Psalms 51:4.

justified] Acknowledged to be righteous and faithfull.

overcome] That is, found so clear, and without blemish in thy judgements, that all mouthes shall be stopped. Psalms 107:42. David breakes out into this confession upon the consideration of his sinne against God, and the promise of forgivenesse which Nathan had declared unto him.

judged] Or, judgest: the Greek bears it either way, but the Hebrew Text reqires the active rather, which also doth better agree with the scope of Paul; which is to shew, that God remaineth pure and righteous still in judging, that is, in punishing the sinnes of men in the children of disobedience, according to their deserts, as also, in pardoning according to his promise; which is likewise an act of Gods justice, though it be done in mercy, Matthew 17:20. and the truth of God in keeping his promises, is also expressely called justice and righteousnesse, in Scriptures. Psalms 143:10. 1 John 1:9.

Romans 3:5

taketh vengeance] Gr. who inferreth or inflicteth anger.

speak as a man] I speak not these words in mine own person, as though I thought so; but this is the talk of mans wisdom, which is not subject to the will of God.

Romans 3:6

God forbid] See Vers. 4.

How shall God] How is it possible that there should be iniquity in God, the Soveraign Judge of all the world; whose will is the absolute rule of justice?

Romans 3:7

through my lie] Or, in my lie.

Romans 3:8

not rather] The apostle answereth to the former objection byway of disdain: as if he should say, Why, if this objection were of any force, might not as well the profane wretch break out into this extremitie of impudence, why then let him lay up as much matter of glory as may be by the boundlesse multitude of all manner of wickednesse. But there is not that desperate soul in the world that dares go thus farre, for the conscience of the most wicked, dictateth unto them, that they shall be judged according to the manifest and publike law of God, as the rule and square of all their actions, and not according to his secret providence, which ordaineth the permission of sin it self for certain ends, but much different from those of men.

damnation is just] By these words the apostle sheweth, that he is so farre from approving of such consequences as were made by profane flanderers of the truth of God, mentioned ver. 7, 8. that he threatneth them with the judgement of God that make them.

Romans 3:9

No in no wise] Gr. not altogether.

proved] Gr. charged.

under sinne] Guiltie of sinne, under the power and penaltie of sinne.

Romans 3:10

written] By all these places the apostle proveth, that not onely the Gentiles, but the Jews also are unrighteous in themselves before God; most of them speak of the unregenerate among the people of the Jewes, among whom there was alwayes a very great number; and therefore these reproofs of the prophets were still in force, and the apostle makes use of them; to shew, that without the grace of God, and the speciall working of the Spirit, all are lyable to them.

There is none righteous, no not one] Psal. 14. 1, 2, 3.

Romans 3:11

ther5e is none that seeketh after God] Psalms 53:2.

seeketh after God] Or, seeketh out God.

Romans 3:12

become unprofitable] Vnfit to do any good, like rotten and unsavory things that are cast out of doors. The prophet takes his similitude from corrupted wines, or meats putrefied and unsavory, good for nothing.

good] Gr. goodnesse.

Romans 3:13

Their throat is an open sepulchre, &c.] Psalms 5:9.

the poison of asps is under their lips] Psalms 140:3.

Romans 3:14

Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitternesse] Psalme 10. 7.

Romans 3:15

Their feet are swift to shed blood] Proverbs 1:16. Isai. 59. 7, 8.

Romans 3:16

Destruction] Or contrition, according to the Greek; that is, breaking all to pieces; the word destruction is not here taken passively, but actively, for that destruction they bring upon others.

Romans 3:17

way of peace] To live quietly themselves, and to let other live quietly by them; they know not how to lead an innocent and peaceable life.

Romans 3:18

There is no fear of God before their eyes] Psalms 36:1.

fear of God] The fear of God is the ground and fountain of all other vertues, with the want whereof the apostle concludeth, not as if the vices above mentioned did alwayes break out with like force in all naturall men, but because the corrupt fountain of all these is within them, and that some of them are ever to be discerned in their life and conversation. See Genesis 20:11. Malachi 3:5.

Romans 3:19

under the law] Under the speciall jurisdiction of it, or under that outward covenant, whereof the law was as it were the contract or condition to be performed on their parts. These words are used by the apostle, to shew, that he chargeth these points home upon the Jews; and them especially, because God speaketh to them directly and immediately in his word by the prophets.

mouth may be stopped] That is, silenced. These things I propound after this manner, that not onely the Gentiles, but the Jews also, a nation so much priviledged by God above others, might humble themselves in the confession of their sinnes, and in the acknowledgement, that all the good that is in them dependeth on the sole mercy of God.

guilty before God] Or, subject to the judgement of God.

Romans 3:20

Therefore by the deeds] Because man is utterly disabled by sinne to fulfill the law, either naturall or written, it can neither be a ground of hope, nor argument unto him, either of righteousnesse or of life: all the efficacie which it hath, is to discover unto him his iniquitie, and without Gods mercy in Christ, to seal up his condemnation. Galatians 2:16.

no flesh] Flesh is here taken for man, as in many other places; and furthermore hath here greater emphasis, for it is put to shew the contrariety betwixt God and man; as if you would say, Man who is nothing but a piece of flesh, defiled with sinne, and God who is a pure Spirit, and most perfect in himself.

justified] That is, absolved before the judgement seat of God, and acquitted from sinne and damnation, and so to be accounted righteous; so the word is taken, Job 9 20. Romans 8:33-34. Galatians 2:16-17. It cannot be here taken for making just, by infusing righteousnesse or holinesse; for there would be then no sense nor truth in the words, if we thus interpret them, no flesh can have righteousnesse infused into it before God.

in his sight] Here is a secret setting of the righgeousnesse which is before men, be they never so just, against the righteousnesse which can stand before God: now there is no righteousnesse can stand before God, but the righteousnesse of Christ onely.

Romans 3:21

But now] After the coming of Christ, God hath clearly revealed the true righteousnesse, which he hath appointed and given unto man for his justification, according to the doctrine of all the prophets; viz. that of Christ, imputed to all that receive it by a lively faith, without any consideration of the works of the law (in the point of justification) either naturall or written, and without any difference of natins, be they Jews or Gentiles.

Romans 3:22

faith of Jesus Christ] Gr. Tec. in Jesus Christ. Which we yeeld to Jesus Christ or which faith resteth upon him.

difference] Gr. distinction.

Romans 3:23

all have sinned] The remedy is common to all indifferently, because on the other side the maladie of sinne is common unto all.

come short] The Greek word signifieth properly to remain behind, or to come too short of getting something, as the prize in running of races; so likewise do all men come short, that seek to obtain everlasting life by their works.

glory of God] By the glory of God is meant that mark which we all shoot at, that is, everlasting life; which standeth in this, that we are made partakers of the glory of God. Or, by glory of God, is meant his image after which we were created, for so the word glory seemeth to be taken, 1 Corinthians 11:7.

Romans 3:24

justified] From henceforward the apostle describeth all the causes, and the proprieties of justification revealed unto us in the gospell; the first and supreme cause is the undeserved grace and favour of God; the moving and meritorious cause is redemption and reconciliation purchased by Christ; the instrumentall cause whereby the same is imputed, is faith in the bloud of Christ; the finall is the glory of God in the declaration of his righteousnesse and faithfulnesse; the propertie is, that all humane boasting is excluded by it.

freely] Of his free gift and meer liberality.

through] Or, by.

redemption] The word is sometime taken in a larger sense for all manner of deliverance, but here it doth properly imply such a deliverance, as is brought to passe by purchasing or paying of a ransome, according as Christ himself speaketh, Matthew 20:28. 1 Corinthians 7:23. 1 Peter 1:18.

Romans 3:25

set forth] Or, fore-ordained. First, in the eternall counsell, and after in the execution of the same in the fulnesse of time; and lastly, by preaching of the gospell, 2 Tim. 1. 9, 10, 11. 1 Pet. 1. 20, 21, 22.

propitiation] Or, propitiatory, placatory or mercy seat: for the apostle seemeth to allude to the mercyseat or propitiatory made of pure gold, which covered the ark of the covenant, in which the tables of the law lay, which is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (the word here used) Hebrews 9:5. and it was a type of Christ, who by his puritie and obedience covereth our transgressions of the law, from the sight of God, and reconcileth us to him.

in his bloud] The name of bloud calleth us back to the figure of the old sacrifices, the truth and substance whereof is in Christ.

for] Or, by.

remission] Or, passing over.

that are past] Of those sinnes that were committed when we were his enemies.

through the forbearance] Gr. in the forbearance. Through his patient and suffering nature; or, word for word according to the Greek, in the forbearance or the time of his patience; that is, when God did shew forth his goodnesse in suspending his judgements upon the world, not suffering then to perish for their sinnes, although he had not as yet fully opened the treasure of his grace for an absolute pardon, the clear manifestation whereof he reserved for the time of the Gospell. Romans 16:24; Romans 16:26.

Romans 3:26

at this time] Or, in this present season.

that he might be just] That all might learn to acknowledge and approve this new way of proceeding of the justice of God in justifying him that is a sinner in himself by faith in the righteousnesse of Christ. Or, the word just is here taken for true and faithfull, or, him who observeth strict justice, who would not justifie man by any means, but by full payment and satisfaction.

which beleeveth in Jesus] Gr. which is of the faith of Jesus. In the Greek, word for word, justifying him who is of the faith of Jesus; that is, who is of that number who renounce all confidence in their own works, and seek life and salvation by faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:27

boasting] Who is he that can or dare boast of justification before God by his own righteousnesse? 1 Corinth. 1. 31. Ephesians 2:9.

law of faith] That is, the precept or doctrine of faith, which, according to the Hebrew manner of speaking, is called a law, Esay 2. 5. Or by that new order or covenant of God which doth strip man of all worth and righteousnesse of his own, and clothe him by grace with that of Christ.

Romans 3:28

conclude] Gr. collect; or, gather by argument.

deeds of the law] Or, works of the law. Not onely such as were done before his conversion, but after the same also, as is proved by the apostle in the next Chapter, by the example of Abraham and David.

Romans 3:29

Gods of the Jews onely] God is said to be their God in the Scripture phrase, who are in covenant with him; whom hee dearly loveth and tendereth.

Romans 3:30

which] Or, who.

circumcision] That is, the circumcised Jews: as likewise by uncircumcision he meaneth the uncircumsed Gentiles.

by faith] Or, of faith.

by faith] According to the originall, Of faith, or, out of faith. The apostle seems to distinguish of these two kindes of expressions, Of faith, and, Through faith; attributing the former to the Jews, the latter to the Gentiles; the former to the Jews, in whom, though they were adorned with many good qualities and graces above the Gentiles, yt God had onely regard to teir faith, and out of that consideration received them to mercy; the latter, to the Gentiles, who through faith passed as it were into a new spirituall estate.

Romans 3:31

void] Do we utterly cassate the law, and make it of no force or validitie.

we establish the law] Gr. Tec. we make it valid and sufficient. In the edition of Tecla it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, we make the law sufficient and effectuall to that end for which it was given: but if we read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, we confirm and establish the law; then the meaning is, we demonstrate by the gospell how firm and irrevocable it is, seeing God made Christ under the law, to make satisfaction to the law to redeem man; and by his fulfilling the law, to purchase to him a right to the life it promiseth; Matth. 5. 17, 18. Galatians 4:4. Moreover, God doth so renew those that are justified by him, through the Spirit, that they endeavour to regulate their life according to all Gods commandments, Romans 8:1-3. Not that thereby they may be justified before God, but partly to perform their duty, and to testifie their thankfulnesse unto him for this his inestimable benefit, and partly to be themselves more and more assured of their justification in such sort, as the apostle after declareth, Chap. 6.7. 8.