Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans John Calvin
John Calvin said before — that he had found the commandment, which was given for life, to be unto death, there is yet no contrariety. He had indeed said before, that it is through our wickedness that the law is turned to our destruction, and that contrary to its own character; but here he denies, that it is in such a sense the cause of death, that death is to be imputed to it. In 2 Corinthians 3 he treats more fully of the law. He there calls it the ministration of death; but he so calls it according to what is commonly done in a dispute, and represents, not the real character of the law, but the false opinion of his opponents. 217
But sin, etc. With no intention to offend others, I must state it as my opinion, that this passage ought to be read as I have rendered it, and the meaning is this, — "Sin is in a manner regarded as just before it is discovered by the law; but when it is by the law made known, then it really obtains its own name of sin; and hence it appears the more wicked, and, so to speak, the more sinful, because it turns the goodness of the law, by perverting it, to our destruction; for that must be very pestiferous, which makes what is in its own nature salutary to be hurtful to us." The import of the whole is — that it was necessary for the atrocity of sin to be discovered by the law; for except sin had burst forth into outrageous, or, as they say, into enormous excess, it would not have been acknowledged as sin; and the more outrageous does its enormity appear, when it converts life into death; and thus every excuse is taken away from it. 218
Romans 7:14-17
Romans 7:14-17
14. For me know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 14. Scimus enim quod Lex spiritualis est: ego autem carnalis sum, venditus sub peccato.
15. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
15. Quod enim operor, non intelligo; siquidem non quod volo, hoc ago: sed quod odi, hoe facio.
16. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 16. Si vero quod nolo, hoe facio, consentio Legi Dei quod sit bona. 17. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 17. Nunc vero non jam illud operor ego, sed quod habitat in me peccatum. 14. For we know that the law, etc. He now begins more closely to compare
217This can hardly be admitted. The Apostle in Corinthians evidently states a fact, as he often does, without going into an explanation; and the fact was, that the law proved to be the ministration of death: but it proved to be so through the sin and wickedness of man. — Ed.
218Erasmus, Beza, Pareus, Stuart, and others, make up the ellipsis by putting in, "was made death to me," after "sin." But there is no need of adding anything. The sentence throughout is thoroughly Hebraistic. What is partially announced in the words, "that it might appear sin," or, to be sin, etc., is more fully stated in the last clause; and the participle, "working" — {κατεργαζομένη}, is used instead of a verb, the auxiliary verb being understood. See similar instances in Romans 14:9-13 Calvin's version is no doubt the correct one. What follows the last {ἵνα} more fully explains what comes after the first. — Ed.