Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 1:2

ὃ κ.τ.λ. This message is continuous with GOD’S earlier revelation and fulfils it, cf. Hebrews 1:1-2.

προεπηγγείλατο. 2 Corinthians 9:5 only; cf. Romans 15:4; Galatians 3:8; 1 Peter 1:10; for the converse cf. Ephesians 1:12.

διὰ τῶν πρ. α. ἐν γρα. ἁ. The fulness of the expression suggests that Gentiles are specially addressed: not simply ‘the prophets,’ but the prophets whom He inspired, whose utterances are preserved in writings which reproduce in their degree the divine character of the inspiration (ἁγίαις). It is the same GOD who used the prophets and now uses Paul, and for the same object.

γραφαῖς ἁγίαις, the permanent record of revelation; cf. Romans 16:26; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20. Anarthrous, expressing the nature of the means by which the utterances of GOD are revealed, stating that there are scriptures, not appealing to the scriptures as known. Perhaps the earliest extant instance of the use of the phrase. The argument from prophecy was from the first addressed to Gentiles: cf. Acts 8:28; Acts 10:43; Acts 24:14. So with the Apologists great stress is laid on prophecy.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Romans 1:2

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