Commentari biblici

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Being justified by faith — As he had said, Romans 4:24 .

We have peace with God — A blessed calm lodged in our consciences; like as when Jonah was cast overboard, there followed a tranquillity. This is that continual feast, a very heaven beforehand, an anticipation of glory, ουρανος προ ουρανου .

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By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We have access — προσαγωγην , Christ leading us by the hand, and presenting us to the Father, with, "Behold, here am I, and the children whom thou hast given me." Ephesians 2:18 .

Wherein we stand — εστηκαμεν , not stirring a foot, for any temptation or percention. A metaphor from soldiers keeping their station in the battle.

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And not only so , but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

We glory in tribulations — As an old soldier doth in his scars of honour. SeeGalatians 6:17; Galatians 6:17 ; 2 Corinthians 7:4 . Feri, Domine, feri; nam a peccatis absolutus sum, saith Luther: Strike, Lord, and spare not, since I am acquitted by thee from my sins. Seca ambas, Cut of both, cried out that good bishop, when his hand was threatened to be cut off. A man that hath got his pardon is not troubled though he lose his glove or handkerchief, nor though it should prove a rainy day.

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And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And experience, hope — Without hope patience is cold almost in the fourth degree, and that is but a little from poison.

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And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Hope maketh not ashamed — As among men, many lie languishing at hope’s hospital, as he did at the pool of Bethesda,John 5:1-9; John 5:1-9 , and return as they did from the brooks of Tema, Job 6:17 . Or, as men go to a lottery with heads full of hopes, but return with hearts full of blanks. The Dutch have a proverb to this purpose, Sperare et expectare, multos reddit stultos. And we say, He that hopes for dead men’s shoes, may hap go barefoot. Bad men’s hopes may hop headless, they may perish in the height of their expectancies. Not so those that hope in God; they shall yet praise him who is the help of their countenance, and their God, Psalms 43:5 . Nunquam confusi, Deo confisi. Never preplexed, having trusted in God.

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For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Christ died for — A sufficient evidence of God’s dearest and deepest love shed abroad in our hearts, as a most sweet ointment.

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For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

Yet peradventure for a good man — For a public person. Lilloe stepped between the murderer and King Edwin his master to intercept the deadly thrust. (Speed’s Chron.) A common soldier lost his life at Musselborough field to save the Earl of Huntly’s life; so did Nicolas Ribische to rescue Prince Maurice at the siege of Pista.

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But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God commendeth, … — Herein God lays naked to us the tenderest heart of his fatherly compassions, as in an anatomy. A young student in history (saith Polybius) should have the whole history of the world under his view; and should reduce all into one body. υρο μιαν ουνοψεν αγειν και σωματοροιεν God, by giving his Son for us, showed us all his love at once, as it were embodied. All other spiritual blessings meet in this, as the lines in the centre, as the streams in the fountain. If the centurion were held worthy of respect because he loved our nation (said they) and built us a synagogue, what shall we say of Almighty God, who so loved our souls that he gave his only begotten Son, …

Christ died for us — "Behold how he loved him," said those Jews, when they saw Christ weep for him, John 11:37 . What shall we say of this love of his beyond compare, in bleeding for us? Ama amorem illius, … Oh love that love of his, and never leave meditating on it, donec totus fixus in corde, qui totus fixus in cruce, till he be wholly fixed in your hearts, who was wholly fastened to the tree for your sakes. (Bernard.)

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