Commentary on Romans

deserve no layout, but that we are worthy of eternal death. And Paul not only concludes, that God
owes us nothing, on account of our corrupt and sinful nature; but he denies, that if man were perfect,
he could bring anything before God, by which he could gain his favor; for as soon as he begins to
exist, he is already by the right of creation so much indebted to his Maker, that he has nothing of
his own. In vain then shall we try to take from him his own right, that he should not, as he pleases,
freely determine respecting his own creatures, as though there was mutual debt and credit.
36.For from him and through him, etc. A confirmation of the last verse. He shows, that it is
very far from being the case, that we can glory in any good thing of our own against God, since
we have been created by him from nothing, and now exist through him. He hence infers, that our
being should be employed for his glory: for how unreasonable would it be for creatures, whom he
has formed and whom he sustains, to live for any other purpose than for making his glory known?
It has not escaped my notice, that the phrase, εἰς αὐτὸν, to him, is sometimes taken for ἐν αὐτῷ,
in or by him, but improperly: and as its proper meaning is more suitable to the present subject, it
is better to retain it, than to adopt that which is improper. The import of what is said is, — That the
whole order of nature would be strangely subverted, were not God, who is the beginning of all
things, the end also.
To him be glory, etc. The proposition being as it were proved, he now confidently assumes it
as indubitable, — That the Lord’s own glory ought everywhere to continue to him unchangeably:
for the sentence would be frigid were it taken generally; but its emphasis depends on the context,
that. God justly claims for himself absolute supremacy, and that in the condition of mankind and
of the whole world nothing is to be sought beyond his own glory. It hence follows, that absurd and
contrary to reason, and even insane, are all those sentiments which tend to diminish his glory.