Genesis 3:17,18,19 Commentary
THOMAS SCOTT COMMENTARY
Verses 17-19. The plea, by which Adam tried to extenuate his crime, was adduced as the reason of his punishment. Instead of hearkening to the voice of God, he had hearkened to the voice of Eve, whom he was appointed to counsel and command, not to obey. Yet the Lord did not denounce a curse on him and his seed, having before given intimations of rich blessings intended for them: but “he cursed the ground for his sake;” that, as he had transgressed in eating the forbidden fruit, so he might be chastised in the labour and sorrow connected with his future sustenance. In consequence of this curse, useless and noxious weeds and plants spring up spontaneously, and multiply with immense rapidity. These must be eradicated, the soil prepared, and much labour bestowed, before the precious fruits of the earth can be obtained. Hence incessant fatigue, pain, and penury, are the lot of the bulk of mankind; which would not have been the case had not sin occasioned it; and at last the herb of the field, the ordinary productions of the earth, were substituted for the delicious fruits of Eden, as a sharp rebuke for coveting and eating the forbidden fruit. The weight of this part of the sentence falls chiefly on the man, to whom it is addressed, as that of the former on the woman. Nor was any respite or termination of this labour and sorrow to be expected, till death should consign the body to the earth again, to mingle with its original dust.—As we feel that this sentence, in every part, is in full force against the whole human species, it is absurd to deny that we were all joined in the covenant with Adam, our common representative. (Marg. Ref.) But as the sentence upon the serpent couched, under its outward meaning, the threatening of vengeance on the invisible tempter; so the death denounced against the body, which is but “the instrument of unrighteousness,” comprehends also the awful punishment prepared for the soul, the deviser and real agent in every sin. This is evinced by the sinful tendencies of human race, compared with the threatening of “the wrath of God against every soul of man that doeth evil.” Our very nature is fallen under the curse for Adam’s sake, and produces only sinful desires, words, and actions, unless renewed by divine grace; for in the very day in which Adam sinned, he died, he became spiritually dead, the Holy Spirit having left his soul: and all capacity of delighting in the holy service and spiritual worship of God is extinct in every descendant of Adam, till “the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” restores divine life by regeneration. Indeed, the apostle directly opposes the death which came by Adam, to the life which comes by Christ; so that, if the one is eternal, so is the other. (Marg. Ref.) Thus all are concluded under sin and wrath, and one by Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, can deliver us. And thus He, “the second Adam, the Lord from heaven,” as our surety, was under subjection, and made a curse for us; laboured through His sorrowful life, sweat blood in the garden, endured the travail of His soul—and at length expired on the cross, and was hid in the grave, that He might bear every part of the sentence deserved by man’s sin, and so finally save the whole multitude of His believing people.
THOMAS HAWEIS COMMENTARY
Verses 17-18: Man last appears to receive his sentence, and a terrible one it is: enough to make the ears of every one who heareth it, to tingle; who being involved in the crime, as in the loins of Adam, continues to suffer the punishment.
1. The ground and its productions, of late so beautiful, and pronounced so good, now groans under the curse, and suffers an awful change. Briars and thorns, instead of luxuriant fruitfulness, are all its present produce: and, till subdued by man’s labor, incapable of supporting the perishing life, which still remained to him. Let the husbandman who ploughs the soil, remember who hardened it; and while we see in our gardens the continual spreading weeds, be it on our minds what sowed them there. Then shall the whole earth around us lead to a continual remembrance of and humiliation under our fallen state.
2. Man’s life is embittered by toil and sorrow. It cannot be supported but by the one; even then, will be attended with the other.
(1.) The earth must be subdued with the sweat of his face; wearisome labor becomes his daily employment; he cannot eat his bread till he has earned it. Note, Labor is not only our duty but our punishment; none are exempted from it, in some kind or other; idleness is defiance of the curse, as well as disobedience to the command. (2.) Sorrow as well as labor, is our portion: our bread must be embittered by our burdens; remembrance of the past, as well as experience of the present, was a pregnant source of woe to Adam. Because the sin remains, the sorrow does. Why doth disease make us loathe our food? Why doth the tongue so often turn the sweetest portion into bitterness? Why are we so frequently eating the bread of mourners? Why are tears our meat day and night? Why in our happiest days are some dark clouds still spread over us? Why is there not a man on earth but is born for sorrow and trouble, as the sparks fly upward? Read this curse, and the answer will be clear. It will puzzle the wisest infidel to account for suffering, but by admitting of sin.
3. Death must conclude the scene. Though respited for a moment, the sentence is past, and must be executed: Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return: this is to nature, the king of terrors, and that because it is the wages of sin. Behold in this glass, O man, thine image reflected, whoever thou art.
(1.) Thy frailty. Dust of the earth; as weak to resist the efforts of disease and sickness, as the chaff to endure the furious blast of the whirlwind. Greatness, riches, beauty, honor, make no distinction: the wind of death alike bloweth upon them, and they are gone. (2.) Thy certain end: unto dust shalt thou return. There is no discharge in this war: sooner or later, it is appointed unto men once to die; and remember, after this is the judgment: consider therefore and be wise. (3.) That the cause of all this is one man’s disobedience; one sin destroyed a world, yet fools make a mock of it. But do thou look from whence thou art fallen, if yet there may be hope. (4.) That hope appears in the second Adam, our better covenant head and representative, who having taken upon himself our sins, and borne our sorrows, endured the curse, and nailed it to the cross. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ.
But dare any proud reasoner object to this judgment of God, and suggest that the punishment is greater than the crime? Let such an one well weigh the deed, and he will confess the wages meet. For in this act of disobedience, every aggravation united: impious unbelief and insolent pride, envy of God’s perfections, and lawless appetite, contempt of God’s favors, murmuring, discontent, willful disobedience, and black ingratitude; and this complicated with the basest treachery, and most unrelenting cruelty towards the unborn millions, whose persons be represented, and whose life was bound up in him. Let any man consider the above catalogue, and then shall God be clear in his sayings, and just when he hath judged.
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