BRETHREN - This expression seems intended particularly for the Jews, his ancient friends, fellow-worshippers, and kinsmen, but who had embraced the Christian faith. It is an expression of tenderness and affection, denoting his deep interest in their welfare. MY HEART’S DESIRE - The word “desire” ευ... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I BEAR THEM RECORD - To bear record means to be a witness; to give evidence. This, Paul was well qualified to do. He had been a Jew of the strictest order Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5, and he well knew the extraordinary exertions which they put forth to obey the commands of the Law. A ZEAL OF GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY BEING IGNORANT - The ignorance of the Jews was voluntarily, and therefore criminal. The apostle does not affirm that they could not have known what the plan of God was; for he says Romans 10:18 that they had full opportunity of knowing. An attentive study of their own Scriptures would have... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR CHRIST - This expression implies faith in Christ. This is the design of the discussion, to show that justification cannot be obtained by our own righteousness, but by faith in Christ. As no direct benefit results to people from Christ unless they believe on him, faith in him is implied where the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MOSES DESCRIBETH ... - This is found in Leviticus 18:5, “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man do he shall live in them.” This appeal is made to Moses, both in regard to the righteousness of the Law and that of faith, in accordance with the usual manner of Paul to... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF FAITH - It is observable here that Paul does not affirm that Moses describes any where the righteousness by faith, or the effect of the scheme of justification by faith. His object was different, to give the Law, and state its demands and rewards. Yet though he had... [ Continue Reading ]
OR WHO SHALL DESCEND INTO THE DEEP? - These words are also a part of the address of Moses, Deuteronomy 30:13. But it is not literally quoted. The Hebrew is, “Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go over the sea for us, etc.” The words of the quotation are changed, but not... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHAT SAITH IT? - That is, what is the language of the doctrine of justification by faith? Or what is to be done according to that doctrine? THE WORD IS NIGH THEE - This is still a use of the language of Moses. Deuteronomy 30:14. The meaning is, the doctrine is not difficult to be understood and... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT IF THOU SHALT CONFESS - The word here rendered “confess” ὁμολογέω homologeō is often rendered “profess”; Matthew 7:23, “Then will I profess to them, I never knew you;” Titus 1:16; Titus 3:14; Romans 1:22; 1 Timothy 2:10; 1Ti 6:12-13, 1 Timothy 6:21; Hebrews 3:1, etc. It [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WITH THE HEART - Not with the understanding merely, but with such a faith as shall be sincere, and shall influence the life. There can be no other genuine faith than what influences the whole mind. BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS - Believes so that justification is obtained. (Stuart.) In God’s pla... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAITH ... - Isaiah 28:16. This was the uniform doctrine of the Scripture, that he who holds an opinion on the subject of religion will not be ashamed to avow it. This is the nature of religion, and without this there can be none; see this passage explained in Romans 9:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE - In the previous verse Paul had quoted a passage from Isaiah 28:16, which says that “everyone” (Greek, πᾶς pas) that believeth shall not be ashamed; that is, everyone of every nation and kindred. This implies that it was not to be confined to the Jews. This thought he no... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ... - This sentiment is found substantially in Joel 2:32, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.” This is expressly applied to the times of the gospel, by Peter, in Acts 2:21; see the note on that place. To call on t... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW THEN SHALL THEY CALL. ... - The apostle here adverts to an objection which might be urged to his argument. His doctrine was, that faith in Christ was essential to justification and salvation; and that this was needful for all; and that, without this, man must perish. The objection was, that they... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH - In what way shall there be preachers, unless they are commissioned by God? The word “how” does not refer to the manner of preaching, but to the fact that there would be no preachers at all unless they were sent forth. To preach means to proclaim in a public manner, as a c... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY HAVE NOT ALL OBEYED THE GOSPEL - It is not easy to see the connection of this; and it has been made a question whether this is to be regarded as a continuation of the objection of the Jew, or as a part of the answer of the apostle. After all the attention which I have been able to give it,... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN FAITH COMETH ... - This I take to be clearly the language of the objector. As if he had said, by the very quotation which you have made from Isaiah, it appears that a report was necessary. He did not condemn people for not believing what they had not heard; but he complains of those who did... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I SAY - But to this objection, I, the apostle, reply. The objection had been carried through the previous verses. The apostle comes now to reply to it. In doing this, he does not deny the principle contained in it, that the gospel should be preached in order that people might be justly condemned... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I SAY ... - Still further to meet the objection, he shows that the doctrine which he was maintaining was actually taught in the Old Testament. DID NOT ISRAEL KNOW? - Did not the Jews understand. Is it not recorded in their books, etc. that they had full opportunity to be acquainted with this tru... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ESAIAS - Isaiah 65:1. IS VERY BOLD - Expresses the doctrine openly, boldly, without any reserve. The word ἀποτολμάω apotolmaō means to dare, to be venturesome, to be bold. It means here that however unpopular the doctrine might be, or however dangerous it was to avow that the Jews were extrem... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT TO ISRAEL HE SAITH - The preceding quotation established the doctrine that the Gentiles were to be called. But there was still an important part of his argument remaining - that the Jews were to be rejected. This he proceeds to establish; and he here, in the language of Isaiah Isaiah 65:2, says... [ Continue Reading ]