6 For Christ. In translating, I durst not take so much upon me, as to turn it according to the time wherein we were weak, which sense notwithstanding liked me rather. For here beginneth an argument from the greater to the less, which he prosecuteth afterward at large. Albeit he hath not framed the course of his speech so distinct: but the disordered composition of the speech shall trouble the sense nothing. If Christ (quoth he) take pity upon the ungodly, if he reconciled his enemies to his father, if he did this by the virtue of his death: now much more easily will he save them being justified: being restored to favour, he will keep them in the same: chiefly seeing the efficacy of his life is now added unto his death. Some take the time of weakness for that time, wherein Christ began first to be manifested to the world: and they suppose those ⟨image 77⟩men, who were under the erudition of the law, to have been like unto children. But I refer it unto every one of us: and say it noteth the time,1 that goeth before every mans reconciliation to God. For as we are all borne the sons of wrath, so are we holden under that curse, until we be made partakers of Christ. And he calleth those infirm or weak which have nothing in them but it is corrupted. For he termeth the same straightways after ungodly. Neither is it any new thing that this word infirmity should be so taken. So he calleth the privy parts of the body,2 feeble: And the presence of the body which hath no majesty, weak. And this signification a little after doeth often occur. Therefore, when we were feeble, that is, neither worthy nor mete that God should respect us, at that time Christ died for the wicked: because faith is the beginning of piety, from the which they were all estranged, for whom he died, which also taketh place in the old Fathers, who had obtained righteousness before this death. For they had that benefit from his death that was to come.
6 For Christ. In translating, I durst not take so muche vpon mee, as to turne it according to the time wherein wee were weake, which sence notwithstanding liked mee rather. For here beginneth an argument from the greater to the lesse, which hee prosecuteth afterwarde at large. Albeit hee hath not framed the course of his speach so distinct: but the disordered composition of the speach shall trouble the sence nothing. If Christ (quoth hee) take pitie vpon the vngodly, if he reconciled his enemies to his father, if hee did this by the vertue of his death: nowe muche more easely will hee saue them being iustified: being restored to fauour, hee will keepe them in the same: chiefly seeing the efficacie of his life is nowe added vnto his death. Some take the time of weaknesse for that time, wherein Christe beganne firste to bee manifested to the worlde: and they suppose those ⟨image 77⟩men, who were vnder the erudition of the lawe, to haue bene like vnto children. But I referre it vnto euerie one of vs: and saye it noteth the tyme,1 that goeth before euery mans reconciliation to God. For as we are all borne the sonnes of wrathe, so are we holden vnder that curse, vntill we be made partakers of Christ. And he calleth those infirme or weake which haue nothinge in them but it is corrupted. For he termeth the same straightwayes after vngodly. Neither is it any newe thing that this word infirmitie should be so taken. So he calleth the priuie parts of the bodie,2 feeble: And the presence of the bodie which hath no maiestie, weake. And this signification a litle after doeth often occurre. Therefore, when we were feeble, that is, neither worthie nor mete that God should respect vs, at that tyme Christ died for the wicked: because faith is the beginninge of pietie, from the which they were all estraunged, for whome he died, which also taketh place in the old Fathers, who had obteined righteousnes before this death. For they had that benefite from his death that was to come.
- 1What time is called the time of weakness.What tyme is called the tyme of weaknes.
- 21. Cor. 12.22, 2. Cor. 10.10.
