Romans 3:1
What then, may some say, is the advantage of the Jew, or of the circumcision — That is, those that are circumcised, above the gentiles?... [ Continue Reading ]
What then, may some say, is the advantage of the Jew, or of the circumcision — That is, those that are circumcised, above the gentiles?... [ Continue Reading ]
Chiefly in that they were intrusted with the oracles of God — The scriptures, in which are so great and precious promises. Other prerogatives will follow, Romans 9:4. St. Paul here singles out this by which, after removing the objection, he will convict them so much the more.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall their unbelief disannul the faithfulness of God — Will he not still make good his promises to them that do believe?... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 2:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
But, it may be farther objected, if our unrighteousness be subservient to God's glory, is it not unjust in him to punish us for it? I speak as a man — As human weakness would be apt to speak.... [ Continue Reading ]
God forbid — By no means. If it were unjust in God to punish that unrighteousness which is subservient to his own glory, how should God judge the world — Since all the unrighteousness in the world will then commend the righteousness of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
But, may the objector reply, if the truth of God hath abounded — Has been more abundantly shown. Through my lie — If my lie, that is, practice contrary to truth, conduces to the glory of God, by making his truth shine with superior advantage. Why am I still judged as a sinner — Can this be said to b... [ Continue Reading ]
Whose condemnation is just — The condemnation of all who either speak or act in this manner. So the apostle absolutely denies the lawfulness of " doing evil," any evil, "that good may come.... [ Continue Reading ]
What then — Here he resumes what he said, Romans 3:1. Under sin — Under the guilt and power of it: the Jews, by transgressing the written law; the gentiles, by transgressing the law of nature.... [ Continue Reading ]
As it is written — That all men are under sin appears from the vices which have raged in all ages. St. Paul therefore rightly cites David and Isaiah, though they spoke primarily of their own age, and expressed what manner of men God sees, when he "looks down from heaven;" not what he makes them by h... [ Continue Reading ]
There is none that understandeth — The things of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
They have all turned aside — From the good way. They are become unprofitable — Helpless impotent, unable to profit either themselves or others.... [ Continue Reading ]
Their throat — Is noisome and dangerous as an open sepulchre. Observe the progress of evil discourse, proceeding out of the heart, through the throat, tongue, lips, till the whole mouth is filled therewith. The poison of asps — Infectious, deadly backbiting, tale — bearing, evil — speaking, is under... [ Continue Reading ]
Cursing — Against God. Bitterness — Against their neighbour. Psalms 10:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Isaiah 59:7... [ Continue Reading ]
Of peace — Which can only spring from righteousness.... [ Continue Reading ]
The fear of God is not before their eyes — Much less is the love of God in their heart. Psalms 36:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whatsoever the law — The Old Testament. Saith, it saith to them that are under the law — That is, to those who own its authority; to the Jews, and not the gentiles. St. Paul quoted no scripture against them, but pleaded with them only from the light of nature. Every mouth — Full of bitterness, Roman... [ Continue Reading ]
No flesh shall be justified — None shall be forgiven and accepted of God. By the works of the law — On this ground, that he hath kept the law. St. Paul means chiefly the moral part of it, Romans 3:9, Romans 3:19, Romans 2:21, Romans 2:26; &c. which alone is not abolished, Romans 3:31. And it is not... [ Continue Reading ]
But now the righteousness of God — That is, the manner of becoming righteous which God hath appointed. Without the law — Without that previous obedience which the law requires; without reference to the law, or dependence on it. Is manifested — In the gospel. Being attested by the Law itself, and by... [ Continue Reading ]
To all — The Jews. And upon all — The gentiles That believe: for there is no difference — Either as to the need of justification, or the manner of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
For all have sinned — In Adam, and in their own persons; by a sinful nature, sinful tempers, and sinful actions. And are fallen short of the glory of God — The supreme end of man; short of his image on earth, and the enjoyment of him in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
And are justified — Pardoned and accepted. Freely — Without any merit of their own. By his grace — Not their own righteousness or works. Through the redemption — The price Christ has paid. Freely by his grace — One of these expressions might have served to convey the apostle's meaning; but he double... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom God hath set forth — Before angels and men. A propitiation — To appease an offended God. But if, as some teach, God never was offended, there was no need of this propitiation. And, if so, Christ died in vain. To declare his righteousness — To demonstrate not only his clemency, but his justice;... [ Continue Reading ]
For a demonstration of his righteousness — Both of his justice and mercy. That he might be just — Showing his justice on his own Son. And yet the merciful justifier of every one that believeth in Jesus. That he might be just — Might evidence himself to be strictly and inviolably righteous in the adm... [ Continue Reading ]
Where is the boasting then of the Jew against the gentile? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay — This would have left room for boasting. But by the law of faith — Since this requires all, without distinction, to apply as guilty and helpless sinners, to the free mercy of God in Christ. The law... [ Continue Reading ]
We conclude then that a man is justified by faith — And even by this, not as it is a work, but as it receives Christ; and, consequently, has something essentially different from all our works whatsoever.... [ Continue Reading ]
Surely of the gentiles also — As both nature and the scriptures show.... [ Continue Reading ]
Seeing it is one God who — Shows mercy to both, and by the very same means.... [ Continue Reading ]
We establish the law — Both the authority, purity, and the end of it; by defending that which the law attests; by pointing out Christ, the end of it; and by showing how it may be fulfilled in its purity.... [ Continue Reading ]