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CHAPTER VIII. - John Calvin, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans [1539]

Edition used:

Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans, trans. from the original Latin by the Rev. John Owen (Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1849).

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CHAPTER VIII.

1There is now then no condemnation to those who are in2 Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me3 free from the law of sin and of death: for it being impossible for the law, because it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, even by a4 sin-offering condemned sin in the flesh; that the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5For they who are after the flesh, think of the things of the flesh; but they who are after the Spirit, of the things of the6 Spirit. Doubtless the thinking of the flesh is death; but the7 thinking of the Spirit is life and peace: because the thinking of the flesh is enmity against God; for to the law of God it is8 not subject, nor can it be; they therefore who are in the flesh, cannot please God.

9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you; but if any one has not the Spirit10 of Christ, he is not his. But if Christ is in you, the body indeed is dead with respect to sin, but the spirit is life with regard11 to righteousness. If then the Spirit of him, who raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will quicken your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12So then, brethren, debtors we are, not to the flesh, that we13 may live after the flesh; for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if by the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye14 shall live: for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

15Ye have not indeed received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, through16 whom we cry, Abba, Father: the very Spirit itself testifies17 together with our spirit, that we are the sons of God: and if sons, then heirs; the heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.18 I indeed judge, that the afflictions of this time are not to be compared to the future glory which shall be revealed to us.

19For the intent expectation of the creation waits for the revelation20 of the sons of God; for to vanity has the creation been subjected, not willingly, but on account of him who has subjected21 it in hope; because the creation itself shall also be reclaimed from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty22 of the sons of God; for we know that the whole creation23 groans and labours in pain to this day: and not only so, but we ourselves also, who have the beginnings of the Spirit, even we ourselves do groan in ourselves, waiting for our adoption,24 the redemption of our body; for by hope are we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope; for what one sees, how can he25 hope for it? If then for what we see not we hope, we wait for it in patience.1

26And in like manner the Spirit also assists our infirmities; for what to pray for as we ought we know not; but the Spirit27 himself intercedes for us with groanings unutterable: and he who searches the hearts knows the mind of the Spirit; because he intercedes according to God’s will for the saints.

28We further know, that to those who love God all things co-operate for good, even to those who are called according to29his purpose: for whom he has foreknown, he has also predetermined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might30 be the first-born among many brethren; and whom he has predetermined, them has he also called; and whom he has called, them has he also justified; and whom he has justified, them has he also glorified.

31What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us,32 who can be against us? He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33Who shall bring an accusation against the elect of God? God34 is he who justifies. Who is he who condemns? Christ is he who died; nay, rather who has been raised, who also is at the right hand of the Father, and who intercedes for us.

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger,36 or sword? As it is written, “For thee we die daily, we are37 counted as sheep destined for the slaughter:” but in all these things we do more than overcome through him who has loved38 us. For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present39 nor things future, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.

[1 ]To exhibit the meaning of this passage according to what is advanced in a note in pp. 306, 307, it shall be presented here in lines,—

  • 19. Truly the intent expectation of the creature
  • Waits for the revelation of the sons of God;
  • 20. For to vanity has the creature been subjected, not willingly,
  • But on his account who has subjected it in hope;
  • 21. For even the creature itself shall be freed from the bondage of corruption,
  • Into the glorious liberty of the sons of God;
  • 22. For we know that every creature groans together,
  • And together travails in pain to this day:—
  • 23. And not only they, but we also ourselves,
  • Who possess the first-fruit of the Spirit,
  • Even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
  • Anxiously waiting for our adoption,
  • The redemption of our body;
  • 24. For in hope are we saved,
  • But hope seen is not hope;
  • For what one sees, why does he yet hope for it?
  • 25. But if what we see not, we hope for,
  • We wait for it in patience.

We may indeed consider “every creature” in verse 22 as referring to every renewed creature then living, (except the Apostles and those endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit,) and all such from the beginning of the world. In this case, “to this day” has a striking import. All God’s servants from the beginning had been groaning under the body of sin, and not only they, but even those who had enjoyed the first outpouring of the Spirit, and had been endued with extraordinary gifts. The gifts of the Spirit, however abundant, did not free any from the bondage of corruption, from the body of sin; but this was an object of hope, for which they were to wait. The context, before and after, clearly shows that the present condition of God’s people is the subject.—Ed.