Romans 9:1

Romans 9:1-6. The problem of Jewish unbelief: Paul's distress in view of it

1. I say the truth in Christ, &c. The discussion of the case of Israel occupies tins chapter and the next two. On the general subject thus introduced, we offer a few remarks. (See also Introduction, I. § 26.)

(1) The dedication of this large section to this special case is not out of proportion. Israel not only was immensely important as the Depositary of Revelation for ages past and the possessor as such of inestimable privileges, (Romans 9:4-5,) but at the time of St Paul it formed the vast majority of all professed believers in the God of Revelation. The unbelief of the great majority of Israel was therefore not only a distress to the Christian's heart, but a perplexity to his mind, and so needed very special treatment and explanation.

(2) He distinctly foretells a future of grace and mercy for Israel, on a grand scale of conversion. A time is to come when "blindness in part" is no longer to characterize Israel as a people; that is to say, a time when unbelief, if existing still at all, shall be the exception, not the rule.

(3) He does not touch on any other than the spiritual aspects of that future. As to the question of a political, or local, restoration of Israel, or both, he is entirely silent whether to affirm or deny; and so in all his Epistles. So it is also in all the N. T. Epistles. St Paul's great object here is (1) to explain the spiritual alienation of the mass of Israelites, and (2) to open the prospect of its blessed reversal.

in Christ As a "member of Christ," and so bound to inviolable truthfulness; and as speaking to other "members." (Ephesians 4:25.)

I lie not On this and similar appeals see on Romans 1:9. The special reason for such words here is, perhaps, the thought that both Gentile Christians and unbelieving Jews (for different reasons) might think him now regardless of his earthly kindred, because so resolute in teaching the entire spiritual equality of all believers, Jew or Gentile. The Epistle might possibly be heard or read by unconverted Jews; and such words as these might reach their hearts.

my conscience also bearing me witness Paul, as a man speaking to men, was corroborated (in his own consciousness) by Paul speaking to himself. Wordand consciencecoincided in statement.

in the Holy Ghost Who, as the Sanctifier, pervades the conscience with new and intense light and sensibility. The reference is not to inspirationbut to spirituality, of which he has said so much in ch. 8.