Bible Commentary

And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 19. thou thyself ] Strongly emphatic. The person supposed is not only sure of the privileges of Jews in general, but of his own spiritual competency, by virtue simply of his position and light. Surely … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:19”

And knowest [his] will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 18. his will ] Lit. the will. Cp. 3Jn 1:7, where the original is “for the sake of the Name.” Possibly the phrase here was a “stereotyped” formula, which St Paul quotes. But in any case its … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:18”

Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 17 29. Explicit exposure of Jewish responsibility, guilt, and peril 17. Behold ] Better, But if. A single additional letter in the Gr. makes this difference; and it should certainly be so read. The framework of the sentence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:17”

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. 16. in the day, &c.] This sentence is often connected with the close of Rom 2:12. But the parenthesis is thus, even in the style of St Paul, highly difficult and peculiar; and Rom 2:13 stands in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:16”

Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 15. which shew ] The relative pronoun is the same as in Rom 1:25, where see note. It marks a condition: “they are a law to themselves, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:15”

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 14. For when the Gentiles, &c.] The connexion marked by “ for ” is not easy to state. We take it to refer ( over Rom 2:13, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:14”

(For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 13. for not the hearers ] A parenthesis is usually begun here, and continued to the close of Rom 2:15. We prefer to dispense with it, for reasons to be given there. The present verse … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:13”

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 12. For as many as have sinned ] The equality of Jew and Gentile is here pursued, not (as might have been expected from Rom 2:11) in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:12”

For there is no respect of persons with God. 11. for there is no respect of persons ] “ For ” points to the last words of Rom 2:10, and shews that though St Paul has just emphasized the special privilege of the Jew, (“to the Jew first,”) as balanced with his special accountability, yet … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:11”

But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 10. glory, honour, and peace ] A beautiful return to the thought of Rom 2:7, as if out of an abundance of inspired love and hope. “ Peace ” may here bear a special reference … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 2:10”