John Calvin Commentary Genesis 3:12

"And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." — Genesis 3:12 (ASV)

The woman whom you gave to be with me. Adam's boldness now more clearly reveals itself; for, so far from being subdued, he breaks forth into coarser blasphemy. He had before been tacitly expostulating with God; now he begins openly to contend with Him, and triumphs as one who has broken through all barriers. From this we perceive what a refractory and indomitable creature man became when he was alienated from God; for a vivid picture of corrupt nature is presented to us in Adam from the moment of his revolt.

Every one, says James, is tempted by his own concupiscence, (James 1:14).

And even Adam, acting fully knowingly and willingly, had set himself as a rebel against God. Yet, as if conscious of no evil, he puts his wife as the guilty party in his place. Therefore I have eaten, he says, because she gave. And not content with this, he simultaneously brings an accusation against God, objecting that the wife who had brought ruin upon him had been given by God.

We also, trained in the same school of original sin, are too ready to resort to similar subterfuges, but to no avail. For no matter how much incitements and instigations from other sources may impel us, the unbelief that seduces us from obedience to God is within us; the pride that brings forth contempt is also within us.