15 For the law &c. This is a confirmation of the former sentence, taken from the contrary effect of the law. For seeing the law begetteth nothing but vengeance, it cannot bring grace. To those were good and perfect it would show the way of righteousness:1 but in as much as it commandeth those are sinful & corrupt, what they ought to do, and ministereth not strength to perform the same, it proveth them guilty before the judgement seat of God. For such is the corruption of our nature, that the more we are taught what is just and right, the more plainly is our iniquity discovered,2 and chiefly our disobedience: and so the greater judgement of God is procured. By wrath understand the judgement of God, in which signification it is often used. They which understand it, that the wrath of the sinner is inflamed by the law, because he hateth and curseth the Lawgiver, whom he seeth to be aduersant to his lusts: They say that wittily, but yet unfitly in respect of the present place. For, that Paul would not any thing else but show, how nothing except condemnation ⟨p. 54⟩cometh unto us all by the law, both the common use of the word, and also the reason which he addeth straightways doth declare. Where there is no law. The second proof whereby he confirmeth that which he said. For otherwise it would have been obscure how the wrath of God should be kindled against us by the law, unless the reason were more apparent. And that is, because we having tasted the knowledge of the justice of God by the law,3 offend so much the more grievously against God, as there remaineth less excuse unto us. For they are worthy to sustain more grievous punishment, which despise the known will of God, then they sin of ignorance. The Apostle speaketh not of the simple transgression of righteousness, from the which no man is exempted: but he calleth that transgression, when a mans mind, being taught what doth please or displease God, doth wittingly and willingly burst the bounds prescribed unto him by the word of God. And that I may speak in a word, transgression here doeth not signify a simple offence, but a purposed stubbornness in violating justice. I take this particle ou adverbially, to wit, for where. Others turn it, whereof, as though it were a pronoun relative: but the first reading agreeth best, which is also most received.
15 For the law &c. This is a confirmation of the former sentence, taken from the contrary effect of the lawe. For seeing the law begetteth nothing but vengeance, it cannot bring grace. To those were good and perfect it would shew the way of righteousnesse:1 but in as much as it commaundeth those are sinfull & corrupt, what they ought to doe, and ministreth not strength to performe the same, it proueth them guilty before the iudgement seate of God. For such is the corruption of our nature, that the more we are taught what is iust and right, the more plainely is our iniquity discouered,2 and chiefly our disobedience: and so the greater iudgement of God is procured. By wrath vnderstand the iudgement of God, in whiche significatiō it is often vsed. They whiche vnderstande it, that the wrath of the sinner is inflamed by the lawe, because he hateth and curseth the Lawgiuer, whom he seeth to be aduersant to his lustes: They say that wittily, but yet vnfitly in respect of the present place. For, that Paule woulde not any thing els but shewe, howe nothing except condemnation ⟨p. 54⟩commeth vnto vs all by the lawe, both the common vse of the woorde, and also the reason which hee addeth straightwayes doth declare. Where there is no lawe. The second proofe wherby he confirmeth that whiche hee said. For otherwise it would haue beene obscure how the wrath of God should be kindled against vs by the lawe, vnlesse the reason were more apparant. And that is, because we hauing tasted the knowlege of the iustice of God by the lawe,3 offende so much the more greeuously against God, as there remaineth lesse excuse vnto vs. For they are worthie to susteine more greeuous punishment, whiche despise the knowen will of God, then they sinne of ignoraunce. The Apostle speaketh not of the simple transgression of righteousnesse, from the which no man is exempted: but hee calleth that transgression, when a mans minde, beyng taught what doth please or displease God, doth wittingly and willingly burst the boundes prescribed vnto him by the worde of God. And that I may speake in a worde, transgression heere doeth not signifie a simple offence, but a purposed stubbornes in violating iustice. I take this particle ou aduerbially, to wit, for where. Others turn it, whereof, as though it were a pronowne relatiue: but the first reading agreeth best, whiche is also most receiued.
- 1The law by reason of our corruption begetteth nothing but vengeance.
- 2Wrath for judgement.Wrath for iudgement.
- 3The more knowledge men have the more heinous is their transgression.The more knowledge men haue the more heinous is their transgression.
