Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans John Calvin
Commentary on Romans us; and unrestrainable is the power which he now employs towards us." What does Paul say to these things?
20. But, O man! who art thou? etc. 303 As it is a participle in Greek, we may read what follows in the present tense, who disputest, or contendest, or strivest in opposition to God; for it is expressed in Greek according to this meaning, — "Who art thou who enterest into a dispute with God?" But there is not much difference in the sense. 304 In this first answer, he does nothing else but beat down impious blasphemy by an argument taken from the condition of man: he will presently subjoin another, by which he will clear the righteousness of God from all blame.
It is indeed evident that no cause is adduced higher than the will of God. Since there was a ready answer, that the difference depends on just reasons, why did not Paul adopt such a brief reply? But he placed the will of God in the highest rank for this reason, — that it alone may suffice us for all other causes. No doubt, if the objection had been false, that God according to his own will rejects those whom he honors not with his favor, and chooses those whom he gratuitously loves, a refutation would not have been neglected by Paul. The ungodly object and say, that men are exempted from blame, if the will of God holds the first place in their salvation, or in their perdition. Does Paul deny this? Nay, by his answer he confirms it, that is, that God determines concerning men, as it seems good to him, and that, men in vain and madly rise up to contend with God; for he assigns, by his own right, whatever lot he pleases to what he forms.
But they who say that Paul, wanting reason, had recourse to reproof, cast a grievous calumny on the Holy Spirit: for the things calculated to vindicate God's justice, and ready at hand, he was at first unwilling to adduce, for they could not have been comprehended; yea, he so modifies his second reason, that he does not undertake a full defence, but in such a manner as to give a sufficient demonstration of God's justice, if it be considered by us with devout humility and reverence.
He reminds man of what is especially meet for him to remember, that is, of his own condition; as though he had said, — "Since thou art man, thou ownest thyself to be dust and ashes; why then doest thou contend with the Lord about that which thou art not able to understand?" In a word, the Apostle did not bring forward what might have been said, but what is suitable to our ignorance. Proud men clamour, because Paul, admitting that men are rejected or chosen by the secret counsel of God, alleges no cause; as though the Spirit of God were silent for want of reason, and not rather, that by his silence he reminds
303"But" is not sufficiently emphatical here; {μενοῦνγε}; "yes, verily," in Romans 10:18; "yea, rather," in Luke 11:28; "doubtless," in Philippians 3:8; it may be rendered here, "nay, rather." — Ed.
304"Quis es qui contendas judicio cum Deo;" {τίς} {εἶ} {ὁ} {ἀνταποκρινόμενος} {τῳ} {Θεῳ} "that repliest against God," is the rendering of Macknight and Stuart; "who enterest into a debate with God," is what Doddridge gives. The verb occurs once in another place, Luke 14:6, and "answer again" is our version. Schleusner says that {ἀντὶ} prefixed to verbs is often redundant. In Job 16:8, and 32:12, this compound is used by the Septuagint simply in the sense of answering, for {{ענהHe renders it here, "cure Deo altercari — to quarrel, or, dispute with God." — Ed.