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John Donne: Poem analysis » Elegie XIX: Going to Bed » Imagery and symbolism in Going to Bed » More on imputed

More on imputed: To ‘impute’ something to someone, in Christian understanding, means to attribute something to them which they have not earned themselves. It was a term used at the Reformation to explain that salvation could never be earned by human effort but only be given by God as an act of his grace or mercy. Martin Luther, after studying the book of Romans in the New Testament, taught that God ‘imputes’ righteousness (integrity and living according to God’s standards) to human beings by his grace, that is, although they are sinful, he nevertheless treats them as if they are worthy of acceptance by him Romans 4:3-6; Romans 4:23-24. This gift has to be accepted ‘by faith’ Romans 3:22. This concept is also explored in the Holy Sonnet This is my playes last scene.

Donne uses this word here in somewhat different context - and he is not so much interested in ‘right living’ as in the ‘grace’ the woman may show him! Only the woman herself can count him worthy of revealing the truth of herself to him. This is her ‘liberality’ (‘That I may know/As liberally’).

Today's New International Version
3What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' 4Now to anyone who works, their wages are not credited to them as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to anyone who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
King James Version
3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Today's New International Version
23The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
King James Version
23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Today's New International Version
22This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
King James Version
22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Term given to the movements of church reform which in the sixteenth century resulted in new Protestant churches being created as an alternative to the Roman Catholic Church.
In the Bible, salvation is seen as God's commitment to save or rescue his people from sin (and other dangers) and to establish his kingdom.
A 'testament' is a covenant (binding agreement), a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people. The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible. Its name comes from the new covenant or relationship with God.
 
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