Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 6:1

1. WHat shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound ?

Another anticipation; this Epistle abounds therewith. The Apostle here prevents an Objection, which might be occasioned, either by the foregoing Doctrine in general, concerning Justification by the Free Grace of God, and by a Righteousness imputed to us; or by what he had said more particularly in the close of the foregoing Chapter, That where Sin abounded, Grace did much more abound. Some might hence infer, That there was no need then of inherent Righteousness, that Persons might abide and abound in Sin, that so Grace might be the more exalted in the Forgiveness thereof. The Apostle Iude speaks, Iude 4 of some that made this ill Improvement of the Grace of God. Those that draw such Inferences from the Premises, they put a false Construction upon the Apostles Doctrine, and a Paralogisme or Fallacy upon themselves. They make the Apostles words more general than he meant or intended them: For the abounding of sin, is not the occasion of the abounding of grace in all, but only in some, even in those who Confess and Forsake their Sins. And they apply that to the time to come, which the Apostle only uttered of the time past. The abounding of Sin in Men, before their Conversion and Calling, doth commend, and exalt the abundant Grace of God ▪ in the Forgiveness thereof; but not so, if Sin abound in them, after they are Converted and Called. He propounds this Objection by way of Interrogation, partly to shew his dislike, that his Doctrine should be so perverted; and partly to shew the Peace of his own Conscience, that he was far from such a thought.

Marginal references: Or, what do we say then.