Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 1 · Section 3 · Subsection 46
Quest. 46. Whether S. Paul, in citing this saying followeth the Prophets sense.
1. Some thinke, that the Prophet there historically speaketh of the deliuerance of the people from the captiuitie of Nebuchadnezzar, and therefore exhorteth the faithfull, that with patience they would expect the promised deliuerance, by which faith, they should liue, and be thereby refreshed and comforted: but typically thereby is signified the deliuerance by Christ; and so this sentence is accordingly applyed: which typicall application the Apostle followeth: of this opinion is Gualter.
2. Pareus thinketh, that the Prophet doth indeede comfort the people in captiuitie, which was to come, but not onelyonly: the Prophet doth leade the mindes of the godly to an higher matter, to consider of their euerlasting deliuerance by Christ: so he thinketh, that both senses, of their temporall and spirituall deliuerance, are comprehended in this sentence.
3. But this is rather the literall and proper sense of the Prophet, specially to commend vntounto the faithfull, their faith and beleefe in the Messiah to come. Thus Eusebius expoundeth 1.6, de demonst. c. 14. and Hierome saith, manifesta in his verbis de Christi aduentus prophetis est, there is a manifest prophesie in these words of the comming of Christ: And the Apostle so euidently applyeth it, Heb. 10.35. Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward, &c. v. 37. For yet a verie little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarrie, v. 28. now the iust by faith shall liue, Perer. Hyper.
4. But it will be obiected, that this sense agreeth not with the Prophets purpose, who c. 1. complaineth of the enemies and oppressors of the people of God, and therefore the vision, which the Prophet receiued c. 2. was to Minister comfort againe the present afflictions of Gods Church. Ans. It is the manner, which the Lord obserueth in the visions and prophesies by occasion of temporall deliuerances to raise vp the mindes of his people to looke for their euerlasting deliuerer: as Psal. 72. vnderunder the type of Salomon, the kingdome of the Messiah is properly described: and Dan. 9. the Prophet prayeth for the deliuerance of his people out of the captiuitie of Babel, and he receiueth that prophesie of the 70. weekes concerning the Messiah who should deliuer them from their sinnes. And so in this place, the Prophet praying for the deliuerance of the people from their oppressors, receiueth a vision concerning the Messiah, in whom whosoeuer beleeueth, shall liue for euer, Pererius.
5. Theodoret thinketh that this saying of the Prophet concerned not those times then present, but was a prophesie of the times of Christ, that then the iust by faith should liue: so also Ireneus lib. 4. c. 67. But the Apostle otherwise applyeth it, Galat. 3.11. that neither vnderunder the lawe, nor vnderunder the Gospel, any were iustified by the lawe, but by saith: for his words there are generall, And that no man is iustified by the lawe in the sight of God, it is euident, for the iust shall liue by faith.
6. Ambrose, and so likewise Chrysostome, because the word is put in the future tense, shall liue, doe vnderstand this not of this present life, but of eternall life to come: But it is euident, that S. Paul Galat. 3.11. vnderstandeth this life of iustification: and so the Apostle calleth iustification by faith the life of the soule, Galat. 2.20. I liue by faith of the Sonne of God: and the future tense with the Hebrewes, indifferently is oftentimes put for the present: yet the Apostle so vnderstandeth the present life of the soule by faith and grace, as that he excludeth not the other sense concerning eternall life: as he applyeth this sentence of the Prophet to the second comming of Christ, Heb. 10.37. Tolet.
7. Now whereas Moses saith, as S. Paul citeth him, Rom. 10.5. The man that doth these things shall liue, the Prophet may seeme to be contrarie vntounto him, saying, the iust by faith shall liue: but they are easily reconciled: Moses speaketh of the iustice of the lawe, which none could attaine vntounto, the Prophet of the iustice of the Gospel, which the faithfull obtaine by faith in Christ, Mart.
8. Thus the Apostle setteth downe the chiefe benefits which we hauehave by faith, saluation, v. 16. it is the power of God to saluation: iustice or righteousnesse, the iust by faith: life, shall liue, Matyr.