Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

1 Do ye not know. Let the general proposition be, that the law was given to no other end unto men, then that it should govern this present life,¹ with those be dead it hath no place. Whereunto afterward, he addeth a more special: namely, that we are dead unto the law in the body of Christ. Some other understand, that the dominion of the law abideth so long to bind us, as the use thereof is in force. But because this sentence is somewhat obscure, and it doth not so properly agree unto that special proposition followeth straightways: I had rather follow those, who take it to be spoken of the life of man, and not of the life of the law. And the interrogation verily hath more strength to set forth the certainty of the matter is spoken of. For it showeth that that is not strange or unknown to any of them: but is indifferently granted among all. For I speak to them have knowledge. This parenthesis, is to be referred thither, whither the proposition is referred, as if he should say, that he knew they were not so unskilful of the law, as they could doubt of that. And albeit both might be understood, of all laws together, yet is it better to understand it, of the law of God, which is now in question. Whereas some think the knowledge of the law, is attributed unto the Romans, because the best part of the world, was under their Empire, & government, that is very childish. For partly he speaketh unto Jews, or other strangers, partly unto vulgar & obscure men. Yea, he chiefly respecteth the Jews, with whom he had to do concerning the abrogation of the law. And least they should think they were dealt withal very captiously, he showeth that he taketh a principle common & known to them all, whereof they could not be ignorant, who were brought up from their infancy in the doctrine of the law.

1 Doe yee not knowe. Let the generall proposition bee, that the lawe was giuen to no other ende vnto men, then that it should gouerne this present life,¹ with those be dead it hath no place. Whereunto afterward, hee addeth a more speciall: namely, that we are dead vnto the law in the body of Christe. Some other vnderstand, that the dominion of the lawe abideth so long to binde vs, as the vse thereof is in force. But because this sentence is somwhat obscure, and it doth not so properly agree vnto that speciall proposition followeth straightwayes: I had rather follow those, who take it to be spoken of the life of man, and not of the life of the lawe. And the interrogatiō verily hath more strength to set foorth the certaintie of the matter is spoken of. For it sheweth that that is not strange or vnknowen to any of them: but is indifferently graunted among all. For I speake to them haue knowledge. This parenthesis, is to bee referred thither, whither the proposition is referred, as if he should say, yt he knew they were not so vnskilfull of the law, as they could doubte of that. And albeit both might be vnderstood, of all lawes together, yet is it better to vnderstand it, of the lawe of God, whiche is now in question. Whereas some thinke the knowledge of the law, is attributed vnto the Romanes, because the best part of the worlde, was vnder their Empire, & gouernement, that is very childish. For partly he speaketh vnto Iewes, or other strangers, partly vnto vulgare & obscure men. Yea, he chiefly respecteth the Iewes, with whom he had to do concerning the abrogation of the law. And least they should thinke they were dealte withal very captiously, he sheweth that he taketh a principle cō mon & knowen to thē all, wherof they could not be ignorāt, who were brought vp frō their infancie in the doctrine of the law.