Verse 16. As free▪ and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.Verse 16. As free▪ and not vsing your liberty for a cloke of malitiousnes, but as the seruants of God.

Verse 16. As free▪ and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Verse 16. As free▪ and not vsing your liberty for a cloke of malitiousnes, but as the seruants of God.

IN the two former verses, he confirms the exhortation by reasons: in this, he answers an objection. The objection seems to be, that Christians are made free by Christ, and therefore are not to be tied with the bonds of humane ordinances, or subjection to men. The Apostle answereth, that it is true, that Christians are made free-men; but so, as they must not use their freedom as a cloak of maliciousness, and the liberty of sinning, either against God or men: for, they are still God's servants, and bound to do what he would have them to do; and so consequently to obey Magistrates, since GOD requires them so to do.

IN the two former verses, he confirms the exhortation by reasons: in this, he answers an obiection. The obiection seems to be, that Christians are made free by Christ, and therefore are not to bee tied with the bonds of humane ordinances, or subiection to men. The Apostle answereth, that it is true, that Christians are made free-men; but so, as they must not vse their freedome as a cloak of malitiousnes, and the liberty of sinning, either against God or men: for, they are still God's seruants, and bound to doo what he would haue them to do; and so consequently to obey Magistrates, since GOD requires them so to doo.

So that in this verse he entreats of Christian liberty. And so first, he grants the use of it, or the right of it, in these words, As free. Secondly, he removes the abuse of it, in these words, Not using your liberty as a cloak of maliciousness. And thirdly, he gives a reason of his removal, Because they are the servants of God still.