Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

24 O wretched man. He windeth up the disputation with a vehement exclamation, whereby he teacheth that we are not only to strive with our flesh, but with continual sighing to bewail both with our selves, and before God our unhappiness. And he demandeth not by whom he might be delivered, as though he doubted, as unbelievers do, who hold not that there is one only delivered. But it is the voice of one panting, and almost fainting, because he doeth not sufficiently see present help. And therefore hath he used the word take or deliver, that he might show how there is required unto this deliverance a special power of God. By the body of death, He meaneth the mass of sin,¹ or heap whereon man is compacted: saving that in him there remained only certain relics, with whose bonds he was holden captive. The pronoun this, or of this, which I with Erasmus have referred unto body, may also fitly be applied unto death, but almost in the same sense: because the mind of Paul is to show, that the eyes of the sons of God are opened, that they might prudently discern from the law of God, the corruption of their nature, and death which proceedeth thence. Howe be it the name body, is all one with the name external man, and members: for Paul noteth this to be the original of sin, that man is fallen from the law of his creation, and so is become carnal and earthly. For although he do yet excel brute beasts, yet his true dignity is taken from him: and that which remaineth, is filled with innumerable corruptions: so that his soul, as it is degenerate,² may be said to be changed into a body. So god saith with Moses, my spirit shall strive no more with man, because he is but flesh: where by the way of reproach, he compareth man ⟨p. 92⟩being spoiled of his spiritual dignity, unto brute beasts. And this place of Paul serveth notably to beat down all the glory of flesh. For it teacheth, that the most perfect men of all, so long as the dwell in their flesh, are addicted unto misery, because they are subject unto death: yea, whiles they do diligently examine them selves, they find nothing in their nature but misery.

24 O wretched man. Hee windeth vp the disputation with a vehement exclamation, whereby hee teacheth that wee are not onely to striue with our fleshe, but with continuall sighing to bewayle both with our selues, and before God our vnhappinesse. And hee demaundeth not by whom hee might be deliuered, as though hee doubted, as vnbeleeuers doe, who holde not that there is one onely deliuered. But it is the voyce of one panting, and almost fanting, because hee doeth not sufficiently see present helpe. And therefore hath he vsed the word take or deliuer, that hee might shewe howe there is required vnto this deliueraunce a speciall power of God. By the body of death, Hee meaneth the masse of sinne,