Romans 11:22

goodness See on ch. Romans 2:4.

severity In the special sense of summary sternness. The word is akin to that rendered "sharply," Titus 1:13.

on them which fell, &c. Better, in view of the best-supported reading of the Gr., on them that fell came severity, but on thee came goodness.

if thou continue On the verb and construction here, see on Romans 6:1. The idea of the word is adherence, either rightly resolute or wrongly obstinate as the case may be. Observe that expressions like the present, implying contingencyin man's continuance in the mercy of God, and the reality of the exertion of man's will in such continuance, are in real practicalharmony with the truth, so fully stated in previous Chapter s, of sovereign and prevailing Divine grace (Romans 8:28-30). The whole reasonof the harmony is indeed past our finding out, perhaps for ever; but thus much we can see, that sovereign grace acts on men, not on automatons; that it acts on them through the human conscience and will; and that these, in this matter as always, are affected by warnings as truly as by promises. Grace imparts perseveranceby imparting and maintaining faith, (1 Peter 1:5;) and it freely uses allmeans by which such faith is properly animated and energized. Amongst such means are these warningsof the results that must follow iffaith loses hold of its object. Cp. Judges 20:21.

otherwise The lit. Gr. is simply since; but the E. V. expresses the implied sense.