Genesis 3:19

“In the sweat of thy face.” Some, indeed, translate it “labour;” the translation, however, is forced. But by “sweat” is understood hard labour and full of fatigue and weariness, which, by its difficulty, produces sweat. It is a repetition of the former sentence, where it was said, “Thou shalt eat it in labour.” Under the cover of this passage, certain ignorant persons would rashly impel all men to manual labour; for God is not here teaching as a master or legislator, but only denouncing punishment as a judge. And, truly, if a law had been here prescribed, it would be necessary for all to become husbandmen, nor would any place be given to mechanical arts; we must go our of the world to seek for clothing and other necessary conveniences of life. What, then, does the passage mean? Truly God pronounces, as from his judgment-seat, that the life of man shall henceforth be miserable, because Adam had proved himself unworthy of that tranquil, happy and joyful state for which he had been created. Should any one object that there are many inactive and indolent persons, this does not prevent the curse from having spread over the whole human race. For I say that no one lies torpid in such a degree of sloth as not to be under the necessity of experiencing that this curse belongs to all. Some flee from troubles, and many more do all they can to grasp at immunity from them; but the Lord subjects all, without exception, to this yoke of imposed servitude. It is, nevertheless, to be, at the same time, maintained that labour is not imposed equally on each, but on some more, on others less. Therefore, the labour common to the whole body is here described; not that which belongs peculiarly to each member, except so far as it pleases the Lord to divide to each a certain measure from the common mass of evils. It is, however, to be observed, that they who meekly submit to their sufferings, present to God an acceptable obedience, if, indeed, there be joined with this bearing of the cross, that knowledge of sin which may teach them to be humble.