Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans John Calvin
Commentary on Romans it; for a charge is not true except it depends on solid and strong evidences, according to what Cicero says, who, in a certain place, distinguishes between a charge and a slander. We must add, that to be under sin means that we are justly condemned as sinners before God, or that we are held under the curse which is due to sin; for as righteousness brings with it absolution, so sin is followed by condemnation.
Romans 3:10-18
Romans 3:10-18
10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 10. Sicut scriptum, Quod non est justus quisquam, ne unus quidem; 11. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
11. Non est intelligens, non est qui requirat Deum; 12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
12. Omnes declinarunt, simul facti sunt inutiles; non est qui exerceat benignitatem, ne ad unum quidem:
13. Their throat is an open sepulchre: with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
13. Sepulchrum apertum guttur eorum; linguis dolose egerunt: venenum aspidum sub labiis eorum:
14. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 14. Quorum os execratione et amarulentia plenum: 15. Their feet are swift to shed blood: 15. Veloces pedes eorum ad effundendum sanguinem; 16. Destruction and misery are in their ways: 16. Contritio et calamitas in viis eorum; 17. And the way of peace have they not known: 17. Et viam pacis non noverunt: 18. There is no fear of God before their eyes. 18. Non est timor Dei præ oculis eorum. 97
10. As it is written, etc. He has hitherto used proofs or arguments to convince men of their iniquity; he now begins to reason from authority; and it is to Christians the strongest kind of proof, when authority is derived from the only true God. And hence let ecclesiastical teachers learn what their office is; for since Paul asserts here no truth but what he confirms by the sure testimony of Scripture, much less ought such a thing to be attempted by those, who have no other commission but to preach the gospel, which they have received through Paul and others.
There is none righteous, etc. The Apostle, who gives the meaning rather
97The references given in the margin are these, — Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:3 Psalm 5:9; Psalm 14:3; Psalm 9:7; Isaiah 56:7; Proverbs 1:16; Psalm 36:1.