Romans 1:3

concerning his Son, &c. The connexion is with the close of Romans 1:2: the "promise through the prophets" was "concerning the Son of God." In the Gr., the order of words in this verse and the next is peculiar and emphatic: concerning His Son, who was made [lit. who came to be, who became] of the seed of David according to the flesh; who was marked out as the Son of God, in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, in consequence of the resurrection of the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

of the seed of David The N. T. begins with this assertion (Matthew 1:1), and almost closes with it (Revelation 22:16). In 2 Timothy 2:8, St Paul, at the close of his ministry, again recites it as a foundation-truth.

according to the flesh Flesh-wards, i.e. "on the side of His manhood." This is said in contrast to the next words, "declared to be the Son of God." Cp. Romans 9:5 for an important parallel, where the full significance of the title "Son of God" appears. For another use of the phrase "according to the flesh," see Romans 4:1.