September 28

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.—Romans 8:4.

WHAT meaneth this word righteousness? Why the end, the scope, the well-doing. For what was the design of the law, and what did it enjoin? To be without sin. This then is made good to us now through Christ. And the making a stand against it, and the getting the better of it, came from him. But it is for us to enjoy the victory. Henceforth then we shall never sin, never shall we unless we have become exceedingly relaxed and supine. And this is why he added, to them that walk not after the flesh. For lest, after hearing that Christ hath delivered thee from the war of sin, and that the requisition of the law is fulfilled in thee, by sin having been condemned in the flesh, thou shouldst break up all thy defenses; therefore, in that place also, after saying, there is therefore no condemnation, he added, to them that walk not after the flesh; and here also, that the requisition of the law might be fulfilled in us, he proceeds with the very same thing. For after saying, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us that walk not after the flesh, he proceeds, but after the Spirit.

So showing, that it is not only binding upon us to keep ourselves from evil deeds, but also to be adorned with good. For to give thee the crown is his; but it is thine to hold fast what has been given. For the righteousness of the law, that one should not become liable to its curse, Christ has accomplished for thee. Be not a traitor then to so great a gift, but keep guarding this goodly treasure. For in this passage he shows that the grace received will not suffice to save us, unless, afterwards, we display a life worthy of the gift. And so he again advocates the law in saying what he does. For when we have once become obedient to Christ, we must use all ways and plans, so that its righteousness, which Christ fulfilled, may abide in us, and not come to naught.