Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 6 · Section 1 – Section 2
3. The text with the diuerse readings.
WHat shall we say then? shall we continue in sinne, that grace may abound? (or be encreased. Be.)
2. God forbid: (let it not be. Gr.) we that are dead to sinne, how yet shall we liue therein?
3. Knowe ye not (brethren. L. addit.) that as many of vsus, as hauehave beene baptized (all we which hauehave beene baptized. B. G. but the word is foreign, not foreign) into Iesus Christ, hauehave beene baptized into his death?
4 We are buried together with him by baptisme into his death, that like as Christ was raised (did rise vp, S. L. but the word is foreign, was raised vp.) to the glorie. Be. S.G. (by the glorie. L. B. V. but foreign, by, is here taken for foreign, in) of the father, so we also should walke in newenesse of life.
5 For if we be graft together (with him. G. Be. ad.) by the similitude of his death. Be. S. B. (rather, then to the similitude. G.L. for we are graft into Christ, not into th… similitude) so shall we be (by the similtude, which must be supplied out of the former clause: some insert (be partakers. B. V.) but the other word (graft) is better vnderstood of his resurrection.)
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the bodie of sinne might be destroyed (or abolished. S.V.) that henceforth we should not serue sinne.
7 For he that is dead, is iustified, L.V. S.B. (freed, G.S. Be. but the word, foreign, properly signifieth, is iustified) from sinne.
8 Wherefore if we be dead with Christ, we beleeue, that we shall also liue with him.
9 Knowing, that Christ beeing raised (not, rising. S. L. see ver. 4.) from the dead dieth no more: death hath no more dominion ouer him.
10 For in that he died, he died once to sinne: but in that he liueth, he liueth vntounto God.
11 Likewise thinke yee also, that yee are dead to sinne, but are aliue to God in Iesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sinne therefore raigne in your mortall bodie, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof, (obey the lusts thereof. S. L. but here the word ( foreign, it,) is omitted.)
13 Neither yeeld your members as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vntounto sinne: but yeeld (giuegive. G. B. exhibite. L. apply V. S. foreign.) your selues vntounto God, as aliue vntounto God from the dead, and yeelde your members, as weapons of righteousnesse vntounto God.
14 For sinne shall not hauehave dominion, (let it not raigne. S. but the word is in the future tense) for ye are not vnderunder the lawe, but vnderunder grace.
15 What then? shall we sinne, because we are not vnderunder the lawe but vnderunder grace? God forbid: (let it not be. Gr. as v. 1.)
16 Knowe ye not, that to whom ye yeeld your selues as seruants to obey, his seruants ye are, to whom ye obey, whether it be of sinne vntounto death, or of obedience (of the hearing of the eare. S.) vntounto righteousnes?
17 But God be thanked, that ye hauehave beene the seruants of sinne; but ye hauehave obeyed from the heart, that forme of doctrine whereunto ye were deliuered.
18 Beeing then made free from sinne, ye are become the seruants of righteousnes.
19 I speake after the manner of men, (I speake foreign, some humane thing. Gr. L.V.) because of the infirmitie of your flesh: for as ye hauehave yeelded your members seruants (to serue. L. to the seruice. S. but the word is foreign, seruants.) to vncleanes and iniquitie, to commit iniquitie, so now yeeld your members seruants to righteousnes and holines: (vntounto sanctification. L. V. S.)
20 For when ye were the seruants of sinne, ye were free vntounto righteousnes, (from righteousnesse. G. B. that is the meaning, but the word in the originall, is put in the datiue.)
21 What fruit had ye then in those things, whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now beeing freed from sinne, and made the seruants of God, ye hauehave your fruit vntounto holines (in holines. G. holy fruits. S.) and the ende euerlasting life.
23 For the stipend (stipends. Gr. wages. G. reward. B.) of sinne is death, but the gift of God (the grace of God. L. the word is foreign, a grace, a gift) is eternall life, through Iesus Christ our Lord.
2. The Argument, Method, and Parts.
In this Chapter the Apostle sheweth the necessarie coniunction betweene iustification, and holines, and newenes of life: and there are two parts thereof: in the first, to ver. 12. he layeth downe the doctrine: then he exhorteth, v. 12. to the end.
In the doctrine he prooueth the necessitie: 1. of mortification, and dying to sinne, propounded, v. 1.2. from the efficacie of baptisme, which signifieth that we are dead and buried with Christ, v. 3.4. and from the ende of Christs crucifying, v. 6.2. of sanctification, propounded, v. 8. prooued, from the mysterie of baptisme, v. 4.5. from the vertue of Christs resurrection, who is risen, and dieth no more, ver. 9.10. and then he concludeth, ver. 11.
1. The exhortation followeth, which hath two parts; 1. one dehorting from sinne, which is propounded and explaned, v. 12.13. then amplified by three arguments. 1. from their present state and condition beeing vnderunder grace, v. 14. with the preuenting of an obiection, v. 15.2. from the inconveniencie of the seruice of sinne, which is vntounto death, set forth by the contrarie, v. 16.3. from the efficacie of the doctrine which they obeyed, v. 17.2. the other part stirreth vp to newenesse of life, propounded, v. 18. amplified 1. à pari, v. 19.20. as when they serued sinne, they were free from righteousnesse: so beeing freed from sinne, they must be the seruants of righteousnesse: ab effectis, from the effects of sinne, shame, and death, v. 21. which are amplified by the contrarie effects of sanctification, holinesse, v. 22. and eternall life, set forth by the contrarie, on the diuerse manner: sinne deserueth death as the iust stipend: but life eternall is not deserued, it is Gods free gift, v. 23.