Geneva Bible
THE FIRST BOOKE OF MOSES, CALLED 1 GENESIS.
THE ARGVMENT. Moses in effect declareth three
things, which are in this booke chiefely to be considered: First, that
the world and all things therein were created by God, and that man being
placed in this great tabernacle of the world to beholde Gods wonderfull
workes, and to praise his Name for the infinite graces, wherewith he had
endued him, fell willingly from God through disobedience: who yet for
his owne mercies sake restored him to life, and confirmed him in the
same by his promise of Christ to come, by whom he shoulde ouercome
Satan, death and hell. Secondly, that the wicked, vnmindfull of Gods
most excellent benefits, remained still in their wickednes, and so
falling most horribly from sinne to sinne, prouoked God (who by his
preachers called them continually to repentance) at length to destroy
the whole worlde. Thirdly, he assureth vs by the examples of Abraham,
Izhak, Iaakob, and the rest of the Patriarkes, that his mercies neuer
faile them, whom he chuseth to be his Church, and to professe his Name
in earth, but in all their afflictions and persecutions he euer
assisteth them, sendeth comfort, and deliuereth them. And because the
beginning, increase, preseruation and successe thereof might be only
attributed to God, Moses sheweth by the examples of Kain, Ishmael, Esau
and others, which were noble in mans iudgement, that this Church
dependeth not on the estimation and nobilitie of the worlde: and also by
the fewnes of them, which haue at all times worshipped him purely
according to his worde, that it standeth not in the multitude, but in
the poore and despised, in the small flocke and litle number, that man
in his wisedome might bee confounded, and the Name of God euermore
praysed.
CHAP. I.
1 God created the heauen and the earth, 3 The light
and the darkenesse, 8 The firmament. 9 He separateth the water from
the earth. 16 He createth the sunne, the moone, and the starres. 21
He createth the fish, birdes, beastes. 26 He createth man and giueth
him rule ouer all creatures, 29 And prouideth nouriture for man and
beast.
1. In the 2 beginning 3 God
created the heauen and the earth.
2. And the earth was 4 5 without
forme and voide, and 6 darkenesse was vpon the 7
deepe, and the Spirit of God 8 moued vpon the 9
waters.
3. Then God saide, 10 Let there be light:
And there was 11 light.
4. And God sawe the light that it was good, and God
separated 12 the light from the darkenes.
5. And God called the light, Day, and the darkenes, he
called Night. 13 14 So the euening and the morning
were the first day.
6. ¶ Againe God saide, 15 Let there be a
16 firmament in the middes of the waters: and let it separate
the waters from the waters.
7. Then God made the firmament, and separated the
waters, which were 17 vnder the firmament, from the waters
which were 18 aboue the firmament. and it was so.
8. And God called the firmament 19 Heauen.
20 So the Euening and the morning were the seconde day.
9. ¶ God saide againe, 21 Let the waters
vnder the heauen be gathered into one place, and let the dry land
appeare. and it was so.
10. And God called the dry land, Earth, and he called
the gathering together of the waters, Seas: and God sawe that it was
good.
11. Then God said, 22 Let the earth bud
foorth the bud of the herbe, that seedeth seede, the fruitfull tree,
which beareth fruite according to his kinde, which hath his seede in it
selfe vpon the earth. and it was so.
12. And the earth brought foorth the bud of the herbe,
that seedeth seede according to his kind, also the tree that beareth
fruite, which hath his seede in it selfe according to his kinde: and God
23 sawe that it was good.
13. 24 So the euening and the morning were
the third day.
14. ¶ And God said, 25 Let there be 26
lightes in the firmament of the heauen, to 27 separate the
day from the night, and let them be for 28 signes, and for
seasons, and for dayes and yeeres.
15. And let them be for lightes in the firmament of the
heauen to giue light vpon the earth. and it was so.
16. God then made two 29 great lightes: the
greater light 30 to rule the day, and the lesse light to rule
the night: he made also the starres.
17. And God set them in the firmament of the heauen, to
shine vpon the earth,
18. And to 31 rule in the day, and in the
night, and to separate the light from the darkenes: and God sawe that it
was good.
19. 32 So the euening and the morning were
the fourth day.
20. Afterward God said, Let the waters bring foorth in
abundance euery 33 creeping thing that hath 34
life: and let the foule flie vpon the earth in the 35 open
firmament of the heauen.
21. Then God created the great whales, and euery thing
liuing and mouing, which the 36 waters brought foorth in
abundance according to their kinde, and euery fethered foule according
to his kinde: and God sawe that it was good.
22. Then God 37 blessed them, saying, Bring
foorth fruite and multiplie, and fill the waters in the seas, and let
the foule multiplie in the earth.
23. 38 So the euening and the morning were
the fift day.
24. ¶ Moreouer God said, Let the earth bring foorth the
39 liuing thing according to his kinde, cattell, and that
which creepeth, and the beast of the earth, according to his kinde. and
it was so.
25. And God made the beast of the earth according to
his kinde, and the cattell according to his kinde, and euery creeping
thing of the earth according to his kind: and God saw that it was good.
26. Furthermore God said, 40 41
Let vs make man in our 42 image according to our likenes, and
let them rule ouer the fish of the sea, and ouer the foule of the
heauen, and ouer the beastes, and ouer all the earth, and ouer euery
thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth.
27. 43 Thus God created the man in his
image: in the image of God created he him: he created them 44
male and female.
28. And God 45 blessed them, and God said to
them, 46 Bring forth fruite and multiplie, and fill the
earth, and subdue it, and rule ouer the fish of the sea, and ouer the
foule of the heauen, and ouer euery beast that moueth vpon the earth.
29. And God said, Beholde, I haue giuen vnto you
47 euery herbe bearing seede, which is vpon al the earth, and
euery tree, wherein is the fruite of a tree bearing seede: 48
that shall be to you for meate.
30. Likewise to euery beast of the earth, and to euery
foule of the heauen, and to euery thing that moueth vpon the earth,
which hath life in it selfe, euery greene herbe shall be for meate. and
it was so.
31. 49 And God sawe all that he had made,
and loe, it was very good. 50 So the euening and the morning
were the sixt day.
NOTES
1. This worde signifieth the beginning and generation of
the creatures.
2. First of all, and before that any creature was, God
made heauen and earth of nothing, Wisd.11.14.
3. Psal.33.6. and 136. 5. ecclus.18.1. actes 14.15. and
17.24.
4. As a rude lumpe and without any creature in it: for
the waters couered all.
5. Or, waste.
6. Darkenes couered the deepe waters: for as yet the
light was not created.
7. Ebr. face of the deepe.
8. He mainteined this confuse heape by his secrete
power.
9. Ebr. face of the waters.
10. Hebre. 11.3.
11. The light was made before eyther Sunne or Moone was
created: therefore we must not attribute that to the creatures that are
Gods instruments, which onely apperteineth to God.
12. Ebr. betweene the light, and betweene the darkenes.
13. The first day.
14. Ebr. So was the euening, so was the morning.
15. Psal.33.6. and 136. 5. iere.10.12. and 51.15.
16. Or, spreading ouer, and aire.
17. As the sea and riuers, from those waters that are in
the cloudes, which are vpholden by Gods power, lest they should
ouerwhelme the worlde.
18. Psal.148.4.
19. That is, the region of the aire, and all that is
aboue vs.
20. The seconde day.
21. Psal.33.7. and 89.11. and 136.6. iob. 38.4.
22. So that we see it is the onely power of Gods worde
that maketh the earth fruitefull, which els naturally is barren.
23. This sentence is so oft repeated, to signifie that
God made all his creatures to serue to his glorie, and to the profite of
man: but for sinne they were accursed, yet to the elect, by Christ they
are restored and serue to their wealth.
24. The third day.
25. Psal.136.7. deut. 4.19.
26. By the lights he meaneth the sunne, the moone and
the starres.
27. Which is the artificiall day, from the sunne rising
to the going downe.
28. Of things appertaining to naturall and politicall
orders and seasons.
29. To wit, the sunne and the moone: and here he
speaketh as man iudgeth by his eye: for else the moone is lesse then the
planet Saturnus.
30. To giue it sufficient light, as instruments
appointed for the same, to serue to mans vse.
31. Ierem.31.35.
32. The fourth day.
33. As fish and worms which slide, swimme or creepe.
34. Ebr. the soule of life.
35. Ebr. face of the firmament.
36. The fish and foules had both one beginning, wherein
we see that nature giueth place to Gods will, forasmuch as the one sort
is made to flie aboue in the aire, and the other to swimme beneath in
the water.
37. That is, by the vertue of his worde hee gaue power
to his creatures to ingender.
38. The fift day.
39. Ebr. soule of life.
40. Chap.5.1. and 9.6. 1.cor.11.7. colos 3.10.
41. God commaunded the water and the earth to bring
forth other creatures: but of man he sayeth, Let vs make: signifying,
that God taketh counsell with his wisdome and vertue, purposing to make
an excellent worke aboue all the rest of his creation.
42. This image and likenesse of God in man is expounded,
Ephes.4.24: where it is written, that man was created after God in
righteousnesse and true holinesse, meaning by these two wordes all
perfection, as wisdome, trueth, innocencie, power, etc.
43. Wisd.2.23. ecclus. 17.1.
44. Matth.19.4.
45. The propagation of man is the blessing of God,
Psalm.128.
46. Chap.8.17. and 9.1.
47. Gods great liberalitie to man, taketh away all
excuse of his ingratitude.
48. Chap.9.3.
49. Exod.31.17. ecclus.39.16,33. marke 7.37.
50. The sixt day.
CHAP. II.
2 God resteth the seuenth day, and sanctifieth it.
15 He setteth man in the garden. 22 He createth the woman. 24
Mariage is ordeined.
1. Thus the heauens and the earth were finished, and
all the 1 host of them.
2. For in the seuenth day GOD ended his worke which he
had made, 2 and the seuenth day he 3 rested from
al his worke, which he had made.
3. So God blessed the seuenth day, and 4
sanctified it, because that in it he had rested from all his worke,
which God had created and made.
4. ¶ These are the 5 generations of the
heauens and of the earth, when they were created, in the day that the
Lorde God made the earth and the heauens,
5. And euery 6 plant of the fielde, before
it was in the earth, and euery herbe of the field, before it grewe: for
the Lorde God had not caused it to 7 raine vpon the earth,
neither was there a man to till the ground,
6. But a myst went vp from the earth, and watered all
the earth.
7. ¶ The Lord God also 8 made the man 9
of the dust of the grounde, and breathed in his face breath of life,
10 and the man was a liuing soule.
8. And the Lord God planted a garden Eastward in
11 Eden, and there he put the man whom he had made.
9. (For out of the grounde made the Lorde God to growe
euery tree pleasant to the sight, and good for meate: the 12
tree of life also in the middes of the garden, 13 and the
tree of knowledge of good and of euill.
10. And out of Eden went a riuer to water the garden,
and from thence it was deuided, and became into foure heads.
11. The name of one is 14 Pishon: the same
compasseth the whole land 15 of Hauilah, where is golde.
12. And the golde of that land is good: thereis 16
Bdelium, and the Onix stone.
13. And the name of the seconde riuer is Gihon: the
same compasseth the whole lande of 17 Cush.
14. The name also of the third riuer is 18
Hiddekel: this goeth toward the Eastside of 19 Asshur: and
the fourth riuer is 20 Perath)
15. ¶ Then the Lord God tooke the man, and put him into
the garden of Eden, that he might 21 dresse it and keepe it.
16. And the Lorde God 22 commaunded the man,
saying, 23 Thou shalt eate freely of euery tree of the
garden,
17. But of the tree of knowledge of good and euill,
thou shalt not eate of it: for 24 in the day that thou eatest
thereof, thou shalt die the 25 death.
18. Also the Lorde God saide, It is not good that the
man should be himself alone: I wil make him an helpe 26 meete
for him.
19. So the Lorde God formed of the earth euery beast of
the fielde, and euery foule of the heauen, and brought them vnto the
27 man to see howe he would call them: for howsoeuer the man
named the liuing creature, so was the name thereof.
20. The man therefore gaue names vnto all cattell, and
to the foule of the heauen, and to euery beast of the fielde: but for
Adam founde he not an helpe meete for him.
21. ¶ Therefore the Lord God caused an heauie sleepe to
fall vpon the man, and he slept: and he tooke one of his ribbes, and
closed vp the flesh in steade thereof.
22. And the ribbe which the Lorde God had taken from
the man, 28 made he a 29 woman, and brought her to
the man.
23. Then the man said, 30 This now is bone
of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She shalbe called 31
woman, because she was taken out of man.
24. 32 Therefore shall man leaue 33
his father and his mother, and shall cleaue to his wife, and they shall
be one flesh.
25. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and
were not 34 ashamed.
NOTES
1. That is, the innumerable abundance of creatures in
heauen and earth.
2. Exod.20.11. and 31.17. deut.5.14. hebr.4.4.
3. For he had now finished his creation, but his
prouidence still watcheth ouer his creatures, and goueineth them.
4. Appointed it to be kept holy, that man might therein
consider the excellencie of his workes and Gods goodnesse towards him.
5. Or, the originall and beginning.
6. Or, tree, as chap. 21.15.
7. God onely openeth the heauens and shutteth them, he
sendeth drought and raine according to his good pleasure.
8. Or, formed.
9. He sheweth whereof mans body was created, to the
intent that man shoulde not glorie in the excellencie of his owne
nature.
10. 1.Cor.15.45.
11. This was the name of a place, as some thinke, in
Mesopotamia, most pleasant and abundant in all things.
12. Which was a signe of the life receiued of God.
13. That is, of miserable experience, which came by
disobeying God.
14. Ecclus.24.29.
15. Which Hauilah is a countrey ioyning to Persia
Eastwarde, and enclineth toward the West.
16. Or, precious stone, or pearle. Plinie saith it is
the name of a tree.
17. Or, Ethiopia.
18. Or, Tygris.
19. Or, Assyria.
20. Or, Euphrates.
21. God would not haue man idle though as yet there was
no neede to labour.
22. So that man might know there was a soueraigne Lorde,
to whom he owed obedience.
23. Ebr. Eating thou shalt eate of.
24. Or, whensoeuer.
25. By this death he meaneth the separation of man from
God, who is our life and chiefe felicitie: and also that our
disobedience is the cause thereof.
26. Ebr. before him.
27. By moouing them to come and submit themselues to
Adam.
28. Ebr. built.
29. Signifying that mankind was perfite, when the woman
was created, which before was like an vnperfite building.
30. 1.Cor.11.8.
31. Or, Mannes, because she commeth of man: for in
Ebrewe Ish, is man, and Ishah the woman.
32. Matth.19.5. mar. 10.7. 1.cor.6.16. ephes.5.31.
33. So that marriage requireth a greater duetie of vs
towarde our wiues, then otherwise we are bounde to shewe to our parents.
34. For before sinne entred, all thinges were honest and
comely.
¶ Because mention is made in the tenth verse of this chapter, of
the riuer that watered the garden, wee must note that Euphrates and
Tygris, called in Hebrew, Perath and Hiddekel, were called but one
riuer where they ioyned together, els they had foure heads: that is,
two at their springs, and two where they fell into the Persian sea.
In this countrey and most plentifull land Adam dwelt, and this was
called Paradise, that is, a garden of pleasure, because of the
fruitfulnes and abundance thereof. And whereas it is said that
Pishon compasseth the land of Hauilah, it is ment of Tygris, which
in some countries, as it passed by diuers places, was called by
sundry names, as sometime Diglitto, in other places Pasitygris, and
of some Phasin or Pishon. Likewise Euphrates toward the countrey of
Cush or Ethiopia, or Arabia, was called Gibon. So that Tygris and
Euphrates (which were but two riuers, and sometime when they ioyned
together, were called after one name) were according to diuers
places called by these foure names, so that they might seeme to haue
bene foure diuers
CHAP. III.
1 The woman seduced by the serpent, 6 Entiseth her
husbande to sinne. 8 They both flee from God. 14 They three are
punished. 15 Christ is promised. 19 Man is dust. 22 Man is cast out
of Paradise.
1. Nowe 1 the serpent was more 2
subtill then any beast of the fielde, which the Lord God had made: and
he 3 said to the woman, Yea, hath God in deede said, Ye shall
not eate of euery tree of the garden?
2. And the woman said vnto the serpent, We eate of the
fruite of the trees of the garden,
3. But of the fruite of the tree which is in the middes
of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eate of it, neither shall ye
touche it, 4 lest ye die.
4. Then 5 the serpent said to the woman, Ye
shall not 6 7 die at all,
5. But God doeth knowe, that when ye shall eate
thereof, your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, 8
knowing good and euill.
6. So the woman (seeing that the tree was good for
meate, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to
get knowledge) tooke of the fruite thereof, and did 9 eate,
and gaue also to her husband with her, and he 10 did eate.
7. Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they
11 knewe that they were naked, and they sewed figge tree
leaues together, and made them selues 12 breeches.
8. ¶ Afterward they heard the voyce of the Lord God
walking in the garden in the 13 coole of the day, and the man
and his wife 14 hid themselues from the presence of the Lorde
God among the trees of the garden.
9. But the Lord God called to the man, and said vnto
him, Where art thou?
10. Who saide, I heard thy voyce in the garden, and was
afraide: because I was 15 naked, therefore I hid my selfe.
11. And he saide, Who tolde thee, that thou wast naked?
Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou
shouldest not eate?
12. Then the man saide, The woman which thou 16
gauest to be with me, she gaue me of the tree, and I did eate.
13. And the Lorde God saide to the woman, Why hast thou
done this? And the woman said, 17 The serpent beguiled me,
and I did eate.
14. ¶ Then the Lord God said to the serpent, 18
Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed aboue all cattell, and
aboue euery beast of the fielde: vpon thy belly shalt thou goe, and
19 dust shalt thou eate all the dayes of thy life.
15. I wil also put enimitie betweene 20 thee
and the woman, and betweene thy seede and her seede. He shall breake
thine 21 head, and thou shalt 22 bruise his heele.
16. ¶ Vnto the woman he said, I will greatly increase
thy 23 sorowes, and thy conceptions. In sorowe shalt thou
bring foorth children, and thy desire shalbe subiect to thine husbande,
and he shall 24 rule ouer thee.
17. ¶ Also to Adam he said, Because thou hast obeyed
the voyce of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, (whereof I commanded
thee, saying, Thou shalt not eate of it) 25 cursed is the
earth for thy sake: in sorowe shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy
life.
18. 26 Thornes also, and thistles shall it
bring foorth to thee, and thou shalt eate the herbe of the fielde.
19. In the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate bread,
till thou returne to the earth: for out of it wast thou taken, because
thou art dust, and to dust shalt thou returne.
20. (And the man called his wiues name Heuah, because
she was the mother of all liuing)
21. Vnto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God
27 make coates of skinnes, and clothed them.
22. ¶ And the Lord God said, 28 Beholde, the
man is become as one of vs, to knowe good and euill. And nowe lest he
put foorth his hand, and 29 take also of the tree of life and
eate and liue for euer,
23. Therefore the Lord God sent him foorth from the
garden of Eden, to till the earth, whence he was taken.
24. Thus he cast out man, and at the East side of the
garden of Eden he set the Cherubims, and the blade of a sworde shaken,
to keepe the way of the tree of life.
NOTES
1. Wisd.2.24.
2. As Satan can change himselfe into an Angel of light,
so did he abuse the wisdome of the serpent to deceiue man.
3. God suffered Satan to make the serpent his instrument
and to speake in him.
4. In douting of Gods threatning, she yeelded to Satan.
5. 2.Cor.11.3.
6. This is Satans chiefest subtiltie, to cause vs not to
feare Gods threatnings.
7. Ebr. die the death.
8. As though he should say, God doeth not forbid you to
eate of the fruite, saue that he knoweth that if ye should eate thereof,
ye should be like to him.
9. Ecclus.25.26. 1.tim.2.14.
10. Not so much to please his wife, as moued by ambition
at her persuasion.
11. They began to feele their miserie, but they sought
not to God for remedie.
12. Ebr. things to gird about them to hide their
priuities.
13. Or, winde.
14. The sinfull conscience fleeth Gods presence.
15. His hypocrisie appeareth in that he hid the cause of
his nakednesse, which was the transgression of Gods commandement.
16. His wickednes and lacke of true repentance appeareth
in this, that he burdeneth God [wt] his fault, because he had giuen him
a wife.
17. In stead of confessing her sinne, she increaseth it
by accusing the serpent.
18. He asked the reason of Adam and his wife, because he
woulde bring them to repentance, but he asketh not the serpent, because
he would shewe him no mercie.
19. As a vile and contemptible beast, Isai.65.23.
20. He chiefly meaneth Sathan by whose motion and craft
the serpent deceiued the woman.
21. That is, the power of sinne and death.
22. Satan shall sting Christ and his members, but not
ouercome them.
23. The Lord comforteth Adam by the promes of the
blessed seede, and also punisheth the body for the sinne, which the
soule should haue bene punished for, that the spirit hauing conceiued
hope of forgiuenesse, might liue by faith.
24. 1.Cor.14.34.
25. The transgression of Gods commandement was the cause
that both mankind and all other creatures were subiect to the curse.
26. These are not the naturall fruits of the earth, but
proceede of the corruption of sinne.
27. Or gaue them knowledge to make themselues coates.
28. By this derision he reprocheth Adams miserie,
whereinto he was fallen by ambition.
29. Adam depriued of life, lost also the signe thereof.
Romans THE EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE
PAVL TO THE ROMANES.
CHAP. I.
1 He first sheweth on what authoritie his
Apostleship standeth. 15 Then he commendeth the Gospel, 16 by which
God setteth out his power to those that are saued 17 by faith, 21
but were guiltie of wicked vnthankfulnesse to God: 26 For which his
wrath was worthily powred on them, 39 so that they ranne headlong
into all kinds of sinne.
1. Pavl 1 a 2 3
seruant of Iesus Christ called to be an 4 Apostle,
5 6 put apart to preache the Gospel of God,
2. (Which he had promised afore by his Prophetes in the
holy Scriptures)
3. 7 Concerning his 8 Sonne Iesus
Christ our Lord (which was 9 made of the seede of Dauid
10 according to the flesh,
4. And 11 declared 12 mightily
to be the Sonne of God, touching the Spirit of sanctification by the
resurrection from the dead)
5. 13 By whom we haue receiued 14
grace and Apostleship (that 15 obedience might be giuen vnto
the faith) for his 16 Name among al the Gentiles,
6. Among whom ye be also the 17 called of
Iesus Christ:
7. To all you that be at Rome beloued of God,
called to be Saints: 18 Grace be with you, and
peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Iesus Christ.
8. 19 First I thanke my God through Iesus
Christ for you all, because your faith is 20 published
throughout the 21 whole world.
9. For God is my witnesse (whom I serue in my 22
spirit in the 23 Gospel of his Sonne) that without ceasing I
make mention of you
10. Alwayes in my prayers, beseeching that by some
meanes, one time or other I might haue a prosperous iourney by the will
of God, to come vnto you.
11. For I long to see you, that I might bestowe among
you some spirituall gift, that you might be strengthened:
12. That is, that 24 I might be comforted
together with you, through our mutuall faith, both yours and
mine.
13. Now my brethren, I would that ye should not be
ignorant, how that I haue oftentimes purposed to come vnto you (but haue
bene let hitherto) that I might haue some fruite also among you, as I
haue among the other Gentiles.
14. I am detter both to the Grecians, and to the
Barbarians, both to the wise men and vnto the vnwise.
15. Therefore, as much as in me is, I am readie to
preach the Gospel to you also that are at 25 Rome.
16. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ:
26 for it is the 27 power of God vnto saluation to
euery one that beleeueth, to the Iewe first, and also to the 28
Grecian.
17. 29 For by it the righteousnesse of God
is reueiled from 30 faith to faith: 31 as it is
written, 32 The iust shall liue by faith.
18. 33 For the wrath of God is reueiled from
heauen against 34 all vngodlinesse, and vnrighteousnesse of
men, which withhold the 35 trueth in vnrighteousnesse.
19. 36 Forasmuch as that, which may be
knowen of God, is manifest in 37 them: for God hath shewed it
vnto them.
20. For the inuisible things of him, that is, his
eternal power and Godhead, are seene by the creation of the worlde,
being 38 considered in his workes, to the intent that
they should be without excuse:
21. Because that when they knewe God, they 39
glorified him not as God, neither were thankefull, but became 40
vaine in their thoughtes, and their foolish heart was full of
darkenesse.
22. When they 41 professed themselues to be
wise, they became fooles.
23. For they turned the glorie of the 42
incorruptible God to the similitude of the image of a corruptible man,
and of birdes, and foure footed beastes, and of creeping things.
24. 43 Wherefore 44 also God
45 gaue them vp to their hearts lusts, vnto vncleannesse, to
defile their owne bodies betweene themselues:
25. Which turned the trueth of God vnto a lie, and
worshipped and serued the creature, forsaking the Creator, which is
blessed for euer, Amen.
26. For this cause God gaue them vp vnto vile
affections: for euen their women did change the naturall vse into that
which is against nature.
27. And likewise also the men left the naturall vse of
the woman, and burned in their lust one toward another, and man with man
wrought filthinesse, and receiued in themselues such 46
recompence of their errour, as was meete.
28. 47 For as they regarded not to
acknowledge God, euen so God deliuered them vp vnto a 48
reprobate minde, to doe those things which are not conuenient,
29. Being full of all vnrighteousnesse, fornication,
wickednes, couetousnes, maliciousnes, full of enuie, of murther, of
debate, of deceit, taking all things in the euill part, whisperers,
30. Backbiters, haters of God, doers of wrong, proude,
boasters, inuenters of euil things, disobedient to parents,
31. Without vnderstanding, 49 couenant
breakers, without naturall affection, such as can neuer be appeased,
mercilesse.
32. Which men, though they knew the 50 Lawe
of God, how that they which commit such things are worthie of death,
yet not onely do the same, but also 51 fauour them that
doe them.
NOTES
1. The first part of the Epistle conteining a most
profitable preface vnto verse 16.
2. He mouing the Romanes to giue diligent eare vnto him,
in that he sheweth that he commeth not in his owne name, but as Gods
messenger vnto the Gentiles, entreateth with them of the waightiest
matter that is, promised long since of God, by many fit witnesses, and
nowe at the length perfourmed in deede.
3. A Minister, for this word, Seruant, is not taken in
this place as set against this word, Freeman, but declareth his
ministerie and office.
4. Whereas he said before in a generall terme, that he
was a minister, nowe he commeth to a more speciall name, and sayth he is
an Apostle, and that he tooke not vpon him this office of his owne head,
but being called of God, and therefore in this his writing to the
Romanes, doeth nothing but his duetie.
5. Actes. 13.1.
6. Appointed of God to preache the Gospel.
7. By declaring the summe of the doctrine of the Gospel,
he stirreth vp the Romanes to good consideration of the matter whereof
he entreateth: So then he sheweth that Christ (who is the very substance
and summe of the Gospel) is the onely Sonne of God the Father, who as
touching his humanitie, is made of the seede of Dauid, but touching his
diuine and spirituall nature, whereby he sanctified himselfe, is
begotten of the Father from euerlasting, as by his mightie resurrection
manifestly appeareth.
8. This is a plaine testimonie of the person of Christ,
that he is but one, and of his two natures, and their properties.
9. Which tooke flesh of the Virgin, Dauids daughter.
10. As he is man: for this worde, Flesh, by the figure
Synecdoche, is taken for man.
11. Shewed and made manifest.
12. The diuine and mightie power is set against the
weakenesse of the flesh, for that ouercame death.
13. Of whom.
14. This marueilous liberall and gracious gift, which is
giuen me, the least of all the Saintes, to preach, etc. Ephes.3.8.
15. That men through faith might obey God.
16. For his Names sake.
17. Which through Gods goodnesse, are Christes.
18. Gods free good will: by peace, the Hebrewes meane a
prosperous successe in all things.
19. He procureth their fauourable patience, in that he
reckoneth vp their true commendation, and his true Apostolique good will
toward them, confirmed by taking God himselfe to witnesse.
20. Because your faith is such, that it is commended in
all Churches.
21. In all Churches.
22. Very willingly and with all my heart.
23. In preaching his sonne.
24. Though Paul were neuer so excellent, yet by teaching
the Church, he might be instructed by it.
25. He meaneth all them that dwelt in Rome, though some
of them were not Romaines, Looke the end of the epistle.
26. The seconde part of the Epistle vnto the beginning
of the 9.chap. Nowe the whole ende and purpose of the disputation is
this: that is to say, to shewe that there is but one way to atteine vnto
saluation (which is set forth vnto vs of God in the Gospel, without any
difference of nations) and that is Iesus Christ apprehended by faith.
27. God his mightie and effectuall instrument to saue
men by.
28. When this word, Grecian, is set against this word,
Iewe, then doeth it signifie a Gentile.
29. The confirmation of the former proposition: we are
taught in the Gospel, that we are iustified before God by faith which
encreaseth daily: and therfore also saued.
30. From faith which encreaseth daily.
31. The proofe as well of the first as the second
proposition, out of Abakuk, who attributeth and giueth vnto faith, both
iustice and life before God.
32. Abak.2.4.
33. An other confirmation of that principal question:
All men being considered in them selues, or without Christ, are guiltie
both of vngodlinesse and also vnrighteousnesse, and therfore are subiect
to condemnation: Therfore must they needes seeke righteousnes in some
other.
34. Against all kinds of vngodlines.
35. By trueth Paul meaneth all the light that is left in
man since his still, not as though they being led thereby were able to
come into fauour with God, but that their owne reason might condemne
them of wickednes both against God and man.
36. Their vngodlines he proueth hereby, that although
all men haue a most cleare and euident glasse wherein to behold the
euerlasting and almightie nature of God, euen in his creatures, yet haue
they fallen away from those principles to most foolish and fond deuises
of their owne braines, in constituting and appointing the seruice of
God.
37. In their hearts.
38. Thou seest not God, and yet thou acknowledgest him
as God by his workes, Cicero.
39. They did not honour him with that honour and
seruice, which was meete for his euerlasting power and Godhead.
40. As if he said, became so mad of themselues.
41. Or, thought them selues.
42. For the true God they tooke another.
43. The vnrighteousnes of men he setteth forth first in
this, that euen against nature following their lustes, they defiled
themselues one with another, by the iust iudgement of God.
44. The contempt of religion is the fountaine of all
mischiefe.
45. As a iust Iudge.
46. A meete rewarde for their deserts.
47. He prooueth the vnrighteousnesse of man by a large
rehearsall of many kindes of wickednesse, from which (if not from all,
yet at the least from manie of them) no man is altogether free.
48. Into a mad and frowarde minde, whereby it commeth to
passe, that the conscience being once put out, and hauing almost no more
remorse of sinne, men runne headlong into all kinde of mischiefe.
49. Vnmindefull of their couenants and bargaines.
50. By the lawe of God hee meaneth that which the
Philosophers called the Lawe of nature, and the Lawyers themselues
termed the Lawe of Nations.
51. Are fellowes and partakers with them in their
wickednesse, and beside that, commende them which doe amisse.
CHAP. II.
1 Hee bringeth all before the iudgement seate of
God. 12 The excuse that the Gentiles might pretend 14 of ignorance,
he taketh quite away. 17 He vrgeth the Iewes with the written Lawe,
23 in which they boasted: 27 And so maketh both Iewe and Gentile
alike.
1. Therefore 1 thou art inexcusable, O man,
whosoeuer thou art that condemnest: for in that thou condemnest another,
thou condemnest thy selfe: for thou that condemnest, doest the same
things.
2. But we 2 know that the iudgement of God
is according to 3 trueth, against them which commit such
things.
3. And thinkest thou this, O thou man, that condemnest
them which doe such thinges, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape
the iudgement of God?
4. 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his
bountifulnesse, and patience, and long sufferance, not knowing that the
bountifulnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5. But thou, after thine hardnesse, and heart that
cannot repent, 5 6 heapest vp as a treasure vnto
thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath, and of the declaration of the
iust iudgement of God,
6. 7 8 Who wil reward euery man
according to his woorkes:
7. That is, to them which through patience in
well doing, seeke 9 glorie, and honour, and immortalitie,
euerlasting life:
8. But vnto them that are contentious and disobey the
10 trueth, and obey vnrighteousnesse, shalbe 11
indignation and wrath.
9. Tribulation and anguish shalbe vpon the soule
of euery man that doeth euill: of the Iewe first, and also of the
Grecian.
10. But to euery man that doeth good, shalbe
glory, and honour, and peace: to the Iew first, and also to the
Grecian.
11. For there is 12 no respect of persons
with God.
12. 13 For as many as haue sinned without
the Lawe, shall perish also without the Lawe: and as many as haue sinned
in the Lawe, shall be iudged by the Lawe,
13. 14 (For the hearers of the Lawe are
not righteous before God: but the doers of the Lawe shalbe 15
iustified.
14. 16 For when the Gentiles which haue
17 not the Lawe, doe by 18 nature, the things
conteined in the Lawe, they hauing not the Lawe, are a Lawe vnto
themselues,
15. Which shew the effect of the Lawe 19
written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witnes, and their
thoughts accusing one another, or excusing,)
16. 20 At the day when God shall iudge the
secretes of men by Iesus Christ, according to 21 my Gospel.
17. ¶ 22 Beholde, thou art called a Iewe,
and restest in the Lawe, and gloriest in God,
18. And knowest his will, and 23
24 triest the things that dissent from it, in that thou art
instructed by the Lawe:
19. And persuadest thy selfe that thou art a guide of
the blinde, a light of them which are in darkenesse,
20. An instructer of them which lacke discretion, a
teacher of the vnlearned, which hast the 25 forme of
knowledge, and of the truth in the 26 Law.
21. Thou therefore, which teachest another, teachest
thou not thy selfe? thou that preachest, A man should not steale, doest
thou steale?
22. Thou that saist, A man should not commit adulterie,
doest thou commit adulterie? thou that abhorrest idoles, committest thou
sacrilege?
23. Thou that gloriest in the Lawe, through breaking
the Lawe, dishonourest thou God?
24. For the Name of God is blasphemed among the
Gentiles through you, 27 as it is written.
25. 28 For circumcision verely is
profitable, if thou do the Lawe: but if thou be a transgressour of the
Lawe, thy circumcision is made vncircumcision.
26. Therefore if the 29 vncircumcision keepe
the ordinances of the Lawe, shall not his 30 vncircumcision
be counted for circumcision?
27. And shall not 31 vncircumcision which is
by nature (if it keepe the Lawe) condemne thee which by the 32
letter and circumcision art a transgressour of the Lawe?
28. For hee is not a Iewe, which is one 33
outwarde: neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29. But he is a Iewe which is one within, and the
circumcision is of the heart, in the 34 spirite not in
the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.
NOTES
1. Hee conuinceth them which woulde seeme to be exempt
out of the number of other men, because they reprehend other mens
faults, and sayeth, that they are least of all to be excused, for if
they were wel and narrowly searched (as God surely doeth) they
themselues woulde be founde gultie in those thinges which they
reprehend, and punish in other: so that in condemning other, they
pronounce sentence against themselues.
2. Paul alledgeth no places of Scripture, for he
reasoneth generally against all men: but he bringeth such reasons as
euery man is persuaded of in his minde, so that the deuill him selfe is
not able to plucke them cleane out.
3. Considering and iudging thinges aright, and not by
any outward shewe.
4. A vehement and grieuous crying out against them that
please themselues because they see more then other doe, and yet are no
whit better then others are.
5. Iam.5.3.
6. Whilest thou giuest thy selfe to pleasures, thinking
to encrease thy goods, thou shalt finde Gods wrath.
7. The ground of the former disputation, That both the
Iewes and Gentiles haue altogether neede of righteousnes.
8. Psal.62.12. mat.16.27. reu.22.12.
9. Glorie which followeth good workes, which he laieth
not out before vs, as though there were any that coulde attaine to
saluation by his owne strength, but, by laying this condition of
saluation before vs, which no man can performe, to bring men to Christ,
who alone iustifieth the beleeuers, as he himselfe concludeth,
chap.2.21,22. following.
10. By trueth, hee meaneth that knowledge which we haue
of nature.
11. Gods indignation against sinners, which shall
quickely bee kindled.
12. God doeth not measure men either by their blood or
by their countrey, either to receiue them, or to cast them away.
13. He applieth that general accusation of mankinde
particularly both to the Gentiles, and to the Iewes.
14. He preuenteth an obiection which might be made by
the Iewes, whome the Law doeth not excuse, by condemne, because that not
the hearing of the Lawe, but the keeping of the Law doeth iustifie.
15. Shalbe pronounced iust before Gods iudgement seat:
which is true in deede if any such could be found that had fulfilled the
Law: but seeing Abraham was not iustified by the Law, but by faith, it
followeth that no man can be iustified by woorkes.
16. He preuenteth an obiection which might bee made by
the Gentiles, who although they haue not the Lawe of Moses, yet they
haue no reason whereby they may excuse their wickednesse, in that they
haue somewhat written in their heartes in steade of a Lawe, as men, that
forbid and punish some thinges as wicked, and commaunde and commend
other some as good.
17. Not simplie, but in comparison of the Iewes.
18. Command honest things, and forbid dishonest.
19. This knowledge is a naturall knowledge.
20. God deferreth many iudgements, which notwithstanding
he will execute at their conuenient time by Iesus Christ, with a most
strait examination, not onely of wordes and deedes, but of thoughts
also, be they neuer so hidden or secrete.
21. As this my doctrine witnesseth, which I am appointed
to preach.
22. He proueth by the testimonie of Dauid and the other
Prophets, that God bestowed greatest benefits vpon the Iewes, in giuing
them also the Law, but that they are the most vnthankefull and vnkindest
of all men.
23. Canst trie and discerne what thinges swerue from
Gods wil.
24. Or, allowest the things that are excellent.
25. The way to teach and frame other in the knowledge of
the truth.
26. As though he said, that the Iewes vnder a colour of
an outward seruing of God, chalenged all to them selues, when as in
deede, they did nothing lesse then obserue the Lawe.
27. Esai.52.5. ezek.36.20.
28. He precisely preuenteth their obiection, which set
an holines in circumcision, and the outward obseruation of the Lawe: So
that he sheweth that the outward circumcision, if it be separated from
the inward, doth not only not iustifie, but also condemne them that are
in deede circumcised, of whom it requireth that, which it signifieth,
that is to say, cleannes of the heart and the whole life according to
the commandement of the Law so that if there be a man vncircumcised
according to the flesh, who is circumcised in heart, hee is farre better
and more to bee accompted of, then any Iewe that is circumcised
according to the flesh onely.
29. This is the figure Metonymie, for, if the
vncircumcised.
30. The state and condition of the vncircumcised.
31. He which is the vncircumcised by nature and blood.
32. Paul vseth oftentimes to set the letter against the
Spirit: but in this place, the circumcision which is according to the
letter, is the cutting off of the foreskin, but the circumcision of the
Spirit, is the circumcision of the heart, the is to say, the spiritual
end of the ceremonie, is true holines and righteousnes, whereby the
people of God is knowen from prophane and heathnish men.
33. By the outward ceremonie only.
34. Whose force is inward, and in the heart.
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