Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 8 · Section 2 – Section 3
2. The Argument, Method, and Parts.
In this Chapter the Apostle concluding the doctrine of iustification, remooueth and taketh away the impediments: 1. the reliques & remainder of sinne in the sonnes of God, doe not hinder their iustification, to v. 17.2. neither are their afflictions an impediment, which he exhorteth them by diuerse reasons patiently to suffer, to v. 31.3. then he concludeth with the certaintie of saluation in the elect, v. 31. to the end.
1. The first impediment, that the reliques of sinne, which remaine in the seruants of Christ (whereof the Apostle gaue instance in himselfe in the former Chapter) doe not hinder their saluation, he taketh away, but with a double limitation, if they be in Christ, and doe not walke after the flesh: both which are propounded v. 1. and afterward amplified and handled more at large.
The first limitation he setteth forth, 1. by the fruites and effects of the spirit in the faithfull, in freeing them from sinne, and so from death and condemnation, whereof he giueth instance in himselfe, v. 2. from the end of Christs incarnation and death, which was to destroie sinne, and fulfill righteousnesse, which the law could not doe, v. 3.
The other condition and limitation, that they must not walke after the flesh, if they would hauehave Christ to profite them, 1. he prooueth by this argument, iustification and righteousnesse is not for them, that cannot please God, v. 8. the conclusion followeth, that righteousnesse and iustification is not appointed for such, v. 4. the assumption he prooueth by shewing the contrarie effects of the flesh and the spirit, as 1. they sauour the things of the flesh, v. 5. the wisedome of the flesh bringeth forth death, v. 1. it is enmitie against God, v. 7. but the spirit worketh the contrarie to all these. 2. Then followeth an application of this generall doctrine to the comfort of the Romans, that they are not in the flesh, 1. from the efficient, the spirit of God dwelleth in them, v. 9. 2. from the coniunction they hauehave with Christs they are Christs, which he sheweth by their present mortification, v. 10. and the hope of the resurrection, v. 10. 3. Then he inferreth a vehement exhortation, that they should not walke after the flesh, v. 12. 1. from the effects, that would follow, they should die, set forth by the contrarie, v. 14. which he prooueth by two effects, the externall is their inuocation of God, v. 15. the internall, the testimonie of the spirit. v. 16.
2. In the second part he exhorteth vntounto the patient bearing of affliction, by diuerse arguments, 1. from the end, the partaking of glorie after our sufferings, v. 17. 2. from the impuritie of our afflictions, and the reward, v. 18. 3. from the lesse to greater: the creature groneth and trauaileth, and waiteth for deliuerance, v. 19.20.21.22. much more we, v. 23. 4. from the nature of hope, which is not of things that are seene, v. 24.25. 5. from the effects wrought by the spirit by occasion of affliction, which is prayer with sighes, which are not in vaine, the Lord heareth them, v. 26.27. 6. from other effects, in generall they worke for the best, v. 28. in particular, they make vsus conformable vntounto Christ, v. 29. which he sheweth by the first cause the purpose of God in the decree of predestination, which vocation, iustification, glorification follow, v. 30.
3. In the third part he sheweth the immutable state and condition of the elect: 1. from the power of God, v. 31. 2. from his beneficence, who together with Christ giueth all good things, v. 32. 3. from his merciemercy, iustifying vsus in Christ from all our sinnes, v. 33.34. 4. from the effects of faith in Christ, which is victorie in all afflictions, v. 37. and therefore they cannot separate vsus from Christ, v. 35. 5. frō the immutable louelove of God in Christ, which is so sure a bond, as nothing can breake it, as the Apostle sheweth by a particular induction, v. 38.39.