Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans John Calvin
Commentary on Romans those whose highest wish is to gain honors from them who treat God's name with all kinds of reproaches, tread Christ under foot, contumeliously rend, and with the sword and the flame persecute his gospel. It is not indeed safe to be so much honored by those by whom Christ is not only despised but also reproachfully treated.
Romans 15:4-6
Romans 15:4-6
4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
4. Quaecunque enim ante scripta sunt, in nostram doctrinam sunt scripta, ut per patientain et consolationem Scripturarum spem habeamus.
5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus:
5. Deus autem patientiae et consolationis det vobis idem mutuo cogitare secundum Christum Iesum;
6. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Ut uno animo, uno ore, glorificetis Deum et Patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi.
4. For whatsoever things, etc. This is an application of the example, lest any one should think, that to exhort us to imitate Christ was foreign to his purpose; "Nay," he says, "there is nothing in Scripture which is not useful for your instruction, and for the direction of your life." 440
This is an interesting passage, by which we understand that there is nothing vain and unprofitable contained in the oracles of God; and we are at the same time taught that it is by the reading of the Scripture that we make progress in piety and holiness of life. Whatever then is delivered in Scripture we ought to strive to learn; for it were a reproach offered to the Holy Spirit to think, that he has taught anything which it does not concern us to know; let us also know, that whatever is taught us conduces to the advancement of religion. And though he speaks of the Old Testament, the same thing is also true of the writings of the Apostles; for since the Spirit of Christ is everywhere like itself, there is no doubt but that he has adapted his teaching by the Apostles, as formerly by the Prophets, to the edification of his people. Moreover, we find here a most striking condemnation of those fanatics who vaunt that the Old Testament is abolished, and that it belongs not in any degree to Christians; for with what front can they turn away Christians from those things which, as Paul testifies, have been appointed by God for their salvation?
But when he adds, that through the patience and the consolation of the Scrip-
440"The object of this verse is not so much to show the propriety of applying the passage quoted from the Psalms to Christ, as to show that the facts recorded in the Scriptures are designed for our instruction." — Hodge