A17643:1156
Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans
A commentary upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans, written in Latin by M. John Calvin, and newly translated into English by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessary table for the better and more ready finding out of certain principal matters contained in this workA commentarie vpon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes, written in Latine by M. Iohn Caluin, and newely translated into Englishe by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessarie table for the better and more readie finding out of certayne principall matters conteyned in this worke
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison and George Bishop, 1583London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison and George Bishop, 1583
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
27 And their debtors they are. Every man doth see, that that which is here said of debt, is not said, so much for the cause of the Corinthians, as of the Romans. For the Corinthians or Macedonians were no more indebted unto the Jews then the Romans. And he addeth the cause of this bond, namely that they had received the Gospel from them: he taketh an argument from the comparison of the less with the greater, which he also useth in another place. Namely,1 that that recompense ought not to be though unjust, or grievous unto them, who for spiritual things give carnal, which by many degrees are more base. And this showeth the dignity of the Gospel, that it doeth not only denounce them bond to the ministers thereof, but also to all that nation from whom their ministers came.
27 And their debters they are. Euery man doth see, that that which is here sayde of debt, is not said, so much for the cause of the Corinthians, as of the Romanes. For the Corinthians or Macedonians were no more indebted vnto the Iewes then the Romanes. And he addeth the cause of this bonde, namely that they had receiued the Gospell from them: hee taketh an argument from the comparison of the lesse with the greater, which he also vseth in another place. Namely,1 that that recompence ought not to be though vniust, or grieuous vnto them, who for spirituall thinges giue carnall, which by many degrees are more base. And this sheweth the dignitie of the Gospel, that it doeth not onely denounce them bonde to the ministers thereof, but also to all that nation from whom their ministers came.
And note the verb Leitourgesai, for to minister: which signifieth to do his office in the common wealth, and to undertake the burden of his calling: sometime also it is used in respect of sacred things. And I doubt not but Paul signifieth that it is a kind of sacrifice, when the faithful give of their own to relieve the poverty of their brethren. For so they do that duty of charity which they ought to do, and also they offer unto God a sacrifice of a sweet savour: but properly in this place he did respect that mutual right of compensation.