The apostle having insinuated, Romans 3:3, that God would cast off the Jews for their unbelief, a Jew is there supposed to object, that their rejection would destroy the faithfulness of God. To this the apostle answered, that the faithfulness of God would be established rather than destroyed, by the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ (_ The word αναθεμα, here rendered _accursed_, answers to the Hebrew word חרם, _cherem_, which signifies what is devoted to destruction. And, as the Jewish nation was now an anathema, destined to destruction, Mr. Locke supposes that Paul, to ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who are Israelites_ The seed of Jacob, that eminent patriarch, who, as a prince, had power with God and prevailed. The apostle, with great address, enumerates these privileges of the Jews, both that he might show how honourably he thought of them, and that he might awaken their solicitude, not to s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whose_, &c. To the preceding the apostle now adds two more prerogatives: theirs _are the fathers_ They are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the ancient patriarchs, and other holy men, who were great in the sight of God, and to whom he made many great and precious promises, in which the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not as though_ The original expression, ουχ οιον δε οτι, is rather obscure; but Erasmus supplying, after the Greek scholiast, the words τουτο ου λεγω, seems to have given the sense of it thus; _I do not say this, that the word of God hath fallen_, namely, to the ground, without effect. The apostle'... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this is the word of promise_ To show that Isaac was a son of promise, (and so a meet type of those that should be begotten of God by the promise of the gospel through faith,) he cites the words of the promise in substance, by which Isaac was begotten and born. See Genesis 17:20; Genesis 18:10;... [ Continue Reading ]
_What shall we say then?_ To this. The apostle now introduces and refutes an objection. _Is there unrighteousness_, or injustice, _with God?_ In the distribution of his providential blessings, in this or any other instance that can be produced? Was it unjust in God to choose Jacob and his posterity... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_ Or, _moreover_, rather, as it seems γαρ ought to be translated, (the passage here quoted being no proof of what immediately goes before,) God has an indisputable right to reject those who will not accept his blessings on his own terms. And this he exercised in the case of Pharaoh; to whom, aft... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault_ As if he had said, Because I affirm concerning God, that _whom he will he hardeneth_, thou wilt say, Why then doth he yet find fault with, or complain of, such persons, that they continue disobedient! _For who hath resisted his will_ Who hath... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nay but, O man_ Little, impotent, ignorant man; _Who art thou_ In all thy boasted wisdom and penetration; _that repliest against God?_ That accusest God of injustice, for himself fixing the terms on which he will show mercy? or for leaving those to the hardness of their hearts who obstinately and p... [ Continue Reading ]
_What if God, willing_, &c. Referring to Romans 9:18. That is, Although it were now his will, because of their obstinate unbelief; _to show his wrath_ Which necessarily presupposes sin; _and to make his power known_ This is repeated from Romans 9:17; _yet endured_ As he did Pharaoh _With much long-s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Even us, whom he hath called_ By his gospel and his grace, to repentance, faith, and holiness, and hath enabled us to obey the call; we are these vessels of mercy, of what nation soever we may be; _not of the Jews only_ Who have hitherto been the peculiar people of God; _but also of the Gentiles_ W... [ Continue Reading ]
_Esaias also_ And, as the calling of the Gentiles, so the rejection of the Jews also is foretold by the prophets, particularly by Isaiah _who crieth_ Κραζει, _calleth aloud_ Speaks with great earnestness, as to a people unwilling to hear; _concerning Israel_ That is, both the ten tribes about to be... [ Continue Reading ]
_What shall we say then_ What is to be concluded from all that has been said, but this, _that the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness_ Who a while ago had no knowledge of, no care or thought about it; _have attained to righteousness_ Or justification; _even the righteousness which is of f... [ Continue Reading ]