Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 8 · Section 1
1. The text with the diuerse readings.
v. 1. Now then there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus, which walke (walking. Gr.) not after the flesh, but after the spirit: (which walke not after the flesh. L. S. detr.)
2 For the law of the spirit of life, which is in Christ Iesus, hath freed me (thee, S.) from the law of sinne, and of death.
3 For (that which was impossible to the law, in as much as it was weake because of the flesh) God sending his owne Sonne in the similitude of sinnefull flesh (flesh of sinne, Gr. in a forme like vntounto flesh subiect to sinne, Be. this is the sense, but not the meaning of the words) and for sinne, (not, of sinne, L.V. the word is foreign, for) condemned sinne in the flesh: (in his flesh, S. ad.)
4 That the righteousnes (the iustification, L.T.S. the right, Be. the word is foreign) of the law might be fulfilled in vsus, which walke not after the flesh, but after the spirit.
5 For they which are after the flesh (which are in the flesh, S. which are carnall. V.B.) doe sauour the things of the flesh, Be. G. (doe thinke the things of the flesh, S. are carnally minded, B. foreign, Gr.) but they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit.
6 For the wisdome of the flesh is death: but the wisdome of the Spirit, is life, and peace,
7 Because the wisdome of the flesh (the affection of the flesh, V. the fleshly mind, B. the vnderstanding of the flesh, S.) is enmitie against God: for it is not subiect to the law of God, neither in deede can be.
8 So then, they that are in the flesh, can not please God.
9 Now ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, seeing the Spirit of God (not if so be the spirit of God, L.S.B. the word foreign, is taken for foreign, for as much: as 2. Thess. 1.6.) dwelleth in you: but if any hauehave not the Spirit of Christ, the same is not his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the bodie is dead, because of sinne: but the Spirit is life, because of righteousnes. (for righteousnes sake, B.G.)
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortall bodies, by his spirit (because of his Spirit, V.L.S.B. but the preposition foreign, put to a genitiue case, rather signifieth, by) that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore brethren, we are debters, not to the flesh, to liue after the flesh:
13 For if ye liue after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye mortifie the deedes of the bodie (flesh. L.) by the Spirit, ye shall liue.
14 For as many as are led (driuen, V. foreign) by the Spirit, they are the sonnes of God.
15 For ye hauehave not receiued the spirit of bondage againe vntounto feare: but ye hauehave receiued the spirit of adoption (of Sonnes. S. of the Sonnes of God. L. add.) whereby (wherein, L.) we crie, Abba father.
16 The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the sonnes of God.
17 If we be sonnes (children. G.) we are also heires, euen the heires of God, and ioynt heires (heires annexed. G. partakers of the inheritance of, S. coheires. Be. V.) with Christ: if so be we suffer together, with him, that we may be also glorified together, with him.
18 For I count that the afflictions of this present time, are not answerable (or meete, V. Be. S. worthie. L. B. G. but the word foreign, (worthie) beeing construed with the preposition foreign, is rather taken in the first sense.) to the glorie which shall be reuealed vntounto vsus.
19 For the earnest expectation, B. (fervent desire. G. expecting with lifting vp the head. Be. or fastening of the eyes. S. as the word, foreign, signifieth.) of the creature (the created world. Be.) waiteth, when the sonnes of God should be reuealed.
20 Because the creature (the created world. Be.) is subiect to vanitie, not of it owne will, but by reason of him, which hath made it subiect (subdued it vnderunder hope. G.B. but these words (vnderunder hope,) are better referred to the next verse. B. S.)
21 VnderUnder hope that the creature also shall be deliuered, from the bondage of corruption into the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God.
22 For we knowe, that euerie creature (the world created. Be. all the creatures, S. foreign,) groaneth together (or sigheth) and trauaileth in paine, together with vsus, vntounto this present.
23 And not onelyonly the creature, but we also, which hauehave the first fruits of the spirit, euen we doe sigh, (groane. L. V. mourne. B.) in our selues, waiting for the adoption, (of the sonnes of God. L. ad.) euen the redemption of the bodie.
24 For we are saued by hope: but hope, that is seene, is not hope: for that which one seeth, why (not how, G. B. foreign,) should he hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, we doe with patience abide it, (expect it. Be.)
26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for this, what we should pray for, as we ought, we knowe not: but the spirit it selfe maketh intercession (maketh request, L.G.) with sighes, (groanes. B.S.V. which cannot be expressed.
27 But he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the meaning (sense. Be. vnderstanding. S. desire. L. affection. V. foreign, sense, meaning.) of the spirit, for he maketh intercession for the Saints, according to God, (that is, according to his will. S. G. according to his pleasure. B.)
28 Also we knowe that to those which louelove God, all things work together (God helpeth them in euerie thing. S. ad.) for the best, (vntounto good. Gr.) euen vntounto them which are called of his purpose (predestinate to be called. S. called to be (Saints. ad.) of his purpose. L.)
29 For those whom he knewe before, he also predestinate to be like fashioned (or conformable) to the image of his sonne, that he might be the first borne among many brethren.
30 Moreouer whom he predestinate, them also he called, and whom he called, them also he iustified, and whom he iustified, them also he glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? if God be for vsus (on our side. B. G.) who can be against vsus?
32 Who spared not his owne Sonne, but gaue him vp for vsus all; how shall he not also with him giuegive vsus all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge (or put in any accusation against. Be. of Gods chosen) it is God, that iustifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? (who shall condemne. det. G.) it is Christ, which is dead, or rather, which is risen againe, who is at the right hand of God, and maketh intercession B. Be. L. (maketh request. G.) for vsus.
35 Who shall separate vsus from the louelove of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakednes, or perill, or the sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake are we killed all day long: we are counted as sheepe for the slaughter.
37 Neuerthelesse in all these things, we are more then conquerors (we doe ouercome. L. S.V.B. but the compound word, foreign, signifieth more, then simply to ouercome) thorough him that loued vsus.
38. For I am perswaded (am certaine. V. B.) that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, not things present, nor things to come, (nor strength. ad. L.)
39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord.