Bible Commentary

For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 9. of promise ] Lit. of the promise; the promise just referred to in the illustrative case. The “children of God” among Abraham’s bodily descendants were to be limited within the descendants by Sarah; i.e. within … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:9”

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 8. That is, &c.] We may paraphrase this verse, after the Gr.; “That is,” (in view of both the Rom 9:6-7,) “the children of God” (it being … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:8”

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 7. neither because, &c.] An illustration from manifest fact, to shew that an apparently inclusive promise may be limited. We may paraphrase: “Abraham’s descendants, again, are not all his ‘children’ in the sense contemplated, just … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:7”

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: 6 13. Limitations of the problem from facts of Divine election 6. Not as though, &c.] Here begins a paragraph, and with it the main subject of the rest of this chapter. St Paul … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:6”

Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came,] who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. 5. the fathers ] Cp. Rom 11:28. The reference is probably specially to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But David is also “the patriarch David;” Act 2:29. These sacred Persons are now mentioned, after the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:5”

Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God,] and the promises; 4. Israelites ] “The absolute name, that which expressed the whole dignity and glory of a member of the theocratic nation, of the people in peculiar covenant … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:4”

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 3. I could wish ] Lit., I was wishing; the imperfect. A similar imperfect occurs Gal 4:20; where lit., “I was desiring.” Without discussing the grammatical theory of the construction we may paraphrase, I was on … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:3”

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 2. that I have, &c.] More lit. that I have great grief, and my heart has incessant pain. Very wonderful, and profoundly true, is this expression of intense grief just after the “joy unspeakable” of ch. 8. The heart is capable of a vast … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 9:2”

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 39. height depth ] Vastness of intervening space. The Lord who loved us is “above all Heavens” as to His bodily presence: but His love reaches thence to our … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:39”

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 38. I am persuaded ] Same word as Rom 14:14, Rom 15:14 ; 2Ti 1:5; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 6:9. The word implies firm assurance on good grounds. Here, of course, this amounts (unless … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:38”