Bible Commentary

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? (B) Is Man responsible? 19. Thou wilt say then ] St Paul is still, as so often before, writing as if an opponent were at his side. How vividly this suggests that he had himself experienced the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:19”

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy,] and whom he will he hardeneth. 18. whom he will ] The emphasis is of course on these words, in each clause: to us, the only account of the differences of His action is His Will. The following verses prove beyond fair question that St … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:18”

For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 17. For ] See on Rom 9:15. In this verse St Paul recurs to the question “Is there unrighteousness, &c.?” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:17”

So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. 16. of him that willeth ] Not that human willing and running are illusions; but they are not the cause of mercy. They follow it; they may even be the channel of its present action; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:16”

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 15. For ] The connexion is; “The thought of injustice in these acts of the Eternal Judge is all the more to be rejected because they follow a principle … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:15”

What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 14 33. Electing Sovereignty: Vindication, Restatement and application (A) Is God unrighteous? 14. What shall we say then? ] Same words as Rom 3:5, Rom 4:1, Rom 6:1, Rom 7:7, Rom 8:31, Rom 9:30. St Paul often introduces thus an objection which is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:14”

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 13. As it is written ] In Mal 1:2-3. Nearly verbatim from LXX. The prophet is there appealing, in God’s name, to the people to remember His distinguishing and unmerited choice of Jacob over Esau to inherit the land. Not the quotation … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:13”

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 12. The elder, &c.] Verbatim as LXX. of Gen 25:23 Of both Hebrew and Greek the literal rendering is The greater shall he bondsman to the less. shall serve ] In the personal history of Esau and Jacob this was not literally fulfilled; but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:12”

(For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 11. being not yet born, &c.] Nothing could go beyond this verse in stating that the reasons of the Divine Choice lie wholly … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:11”

And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac; 10. And not only this ] Here a still stronger example of sovereign choice occurs. Isaac and Ishmael had only one parent in common; Jacob and Esau had both. In the former case, the choice of Isaac was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:10”