Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 5 · Section 2 – Section 3
2. The Argument, Methode, and Parts.
In this chapter the Apostle pursueth the former proposition, wherewith he concluded the fourth chapter, that Christ died for our sinnes: and now he sheweth the manifold benefits, which we hauehave by the death of Christ, with an ample proofe and demonstration of the same.
So then this chapter is deuided into two parts, the first containing a rehersall of the benefits which we hauehave by Christs death, to v. 6. the second a proofe and demonstration thereof, to the ende of the chapter.
1. In the first part there is 1. set forth the foundation of all other benefits, which we obtaine by Christ, namely iustification by faith, v. 1. 2. then the benefits and graces, either internall, which are these sowre, peace of conscience, bold accesse to Gods presence, perseuerance, hope of glorie, v. 2. or externall, which is constancie and reioycing in tribulation: which is amplyfied both by the effects, patience, experience, hope, which is described by the effect, it maketh vsus not ashamed, v. 5. and by the efficient cause thereof, the louelove of God shed in our hearts by the holy Ghost, v. 5.
2. Then followeth the probation hereof, which consisteth of two arguments, the one taken from the state and condition of such, as were reconciled by Christ, they were enimies, this argument is handled from v. 6. to 12. the other argument standeth vponupon a comparison, and collation betweene Adam and Christ, the losse which we had by the one, and the benefit which we are made partakers of by the other: from v. 12: to the ende.
In the first argument there is 1. the proposition, that Christ died for the vngodly; v. 6.…. the illustration thereof à dissimili, by an vnlike comparison betweene man and God: the first part is expressed, v. 7. that a man will not die for an vnrighteous man, and an enemie: which is shewed by the contrarie, because hardly for a righteous man will one die, vnlesse he be also a friend, much lesse for an vnrighteous man and an enemie: the other part of the comparison followeth, 1. shewing that Christ died both for vsus beeing vnrighteous, v. 8. and enemies also, v. 10. 2. then he inferreth two conclusions. 1. the certaintie of our saluation beeing now iustified and made friends, v. 9.10. 2. the ioy and consolation which springeth and ariseth hereof, v. 11.
The second argument consisting of a comparison betweene Adam and Christ, is thus handled: there is the proposition concerning Adam, shewing wherein he was like, wherein vnlike vntounto Christ, to v. 18. then the reddition or second part concerning Christ, v. 18. to the ende.
First Adam is like in three things. 1. in his person, he was but one and yet the author of sinne to all. 2. in the obiect, his sinne was communicated to all, though himselfe but one. 3. in the effect and issue, this sinne brought forth death: all this is propounded, v. 12. that sinne entred by one man into all the world: then it is prooued by 3. arguments. 1. by the office of the lawe, which is not to bring in sinne, but to impute sinne, v. 13. therefore though sinne were not so much imputed before the lawe, as after, yet was it in the world before. 2. by the effects, death was in the world before the lawe, and it raigned also vponupon infants, that had not sinned actually as Adam had done, and therefore sinne much more which brought forth death, v. 14. 3. Adam was a figure of Christ, therefore as Christs righteousnesse is extended euen vntounto those, before the lawe, so also was Adams sinne, v. 14.
Then the Apostle sheweth wherein Adam is vnlike vntounto Christ: namely, in these three things. 1. in the efficacie and power, the grace of God in Christ is much more able to saue vsus, then Adams fall was to condemne vsus, v. 15. 2. in the obiect, Adams one offence was sufficient to condemne, but by Christ we are deliuered from many offences, v. 16. 3. in the ende, Adams sinne brought forth death, but Christs righteousnesse doth not onelyonly deliuer vsus from sinne and death, but bringeth vsus vntounto righteousnesse and life, yea and causeth vsus to raigne in life: it restoareth vsus to a more glorious kingdome and inheritance, then we lost in Adam, v. 17.
The reddition or second part of this comparison sheweth, wherein Christ of whom Adam was a type and figure, is answearable vntounto Adam: namely, in these three things propounded, v. 12. first in the singularitie of his person, one mans iustification saueth vsus, as one mans offence condemned vsus, v. 18. 2. in the obiect, as Adams sinne was communicated to many, so is Christs obedience, v. 19. And here the Apostle by the way preuenteth an obiection: that if sinne came in by Adam, why entred the lawe? he answeareth, to the ende, that sinne might the more appeare and be increased, not simply, but that thereby the grace of God might abound the more. 3. in the ende as sinne had raigned vntounto death, so grace might raigne vntounto eternall life.