1.We here see with what solicitude the holy man obviated offenses; for in order to soften whatever sharpness there may have been in his manner of explaining the rejection of the Jews, he still testifies, as before, his goodwill towards them, and proves it by the effect; for their salvation was an ob... [ Continue Reading ]
2._For I bear to them a testimony, etc. _This was intended to secure credit to his love. There was indeed a just cause why he should regard them with compassion rather than hatred, since he perceived that they had fallen only through ignorance, and not through malignancy of mind, and especially as h... [ Continue Reading ]
3._For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, etc. _See how they went astray through inconsiderate zeal! for they sought to set up a righteousness of their own; and this foolish confidence proceeded from their ignorance of God’s righteousness. Notice the contrast between the righteousness of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
4_. For the end of the law is Christ, etc. _The word _completion, _(321) seems not to me unsuitable in this place; and [Erasmus ] has rendered it _perfection: _but as the other reading is almost universally approved, and is not inappropriate, readers, for my part, may retain it. The Apostle obviates... [ Continue Reading ]
5._For Moses, etc. _To render it evident how much at variance is the righteousness of faith and that of works, he now compares them; for by comparison the opposition between contrary things appears more clear. But he refers not now to the oracles of the Prophets, but to the testimony of Moses, and f... [ Continue Reading ]
6_. But the righteousness _(322) _which is by faith, etc. _This passage is such as may not a little disturb the reader, and for two reasons — for it seems to be improperly applied by Paul — and the words are also turned to a different meaning. Of the words we shall hereafter see what may be said: we... [ Continue Reading ]
8._What does it say? _(324) For the purpose of removing the impediments of faith, he has hitherto spoken negatively: but now in order to show the way of obtaining righteousness, he adopts an affirmative mode of speaking. Though the whole might have been announced in one continuous sentence, yet a qu... [ Continue Reading ]
9._That if thou wilt confess, etc. _Here is also an allusion, rather than a proper and strict quotation: for it is very probable that Moses used the word _mouth, _by taking a part for the whole, instead of the word_face, _or sight. But it was not unsuitable for the Apostle to allude to the word mout... [ Continue Reading ]
10._For with the heart we believe _(327) _unto righteousness, etc. _This passage may help us to understand what justification by faith is; for it shows that righteousness then comes to us, when we embrace God’s goodness offered to us in the gospel. We are then for this reason just, because we believ... [ Continue Reading ]
11._For the Scripture saith, etc. _Having stated the reasons why God had justly repudiated the Jews, he returns to prove the calling of the Gentiles, which is the other part of the question which he is discussing. As then he had explained the way by which men obtain salvation, and one that is common... [ Continue Reading ]
12._For there is no distinction, etc. _Since faith alone is required, wherever it is found, there the goodness of God manifests itself unto salvation: there is then in this case no difference between one people or nation and another. And he adds the strongest of reasons; for since he who is the Crea... [ Continue Reading ]
I shall not engage the reader long in reciting and disproving the opinions of others. Let every one have his own view; and let me be allowed to bring forward what I think. That you may then understand the design of this gradation, bear in mind first, that there was a mutual connection between the ca... [ Continue Reading ]
15._How shall they preach except they be sent? etc. _He intimates that it is a proof and a pledge of divine love when any nation is favored with the preaching of the gospel; and that no one is a preacher of it, but he whom God has raised up in his special providence, and that hence there is no doubt... [ Continue Reading ]
16._But all have not obeyed the gospel, etc. _This belongs not to the argument, which Paul designed to follow in the gradation he lays down; nor does he refer to it in the conclusion which immediately follows. It was yet expedient for Paul to introduce the sentence here, in order to anticipate an ob... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Faith then is by hearing, etc. _We see by this conclusion what Paul had in view by the gradation which he formed; it was to show, that wherever faith is, God has there already given an evidence of his _election; _and then, that he, by pouring his blessing on the ministration of the gospel, to il... [ Continue Reading ]
18._But I say, have they not heard? etc. _Since the minds of men are imbued, by preaching, with the knowledge of God, which leads them to call on God, it remained a question whether the truth of God had been proclaimed to the Gentiles; for that Paul had suddenly betaken himself to the Gentiles, ther... [ Continue Reading ]
19._But I say, has not Israel known? _This objection of an opponent is taken from the comparison of the less with the greater. Paul had argued, that the Gentiles were not to be excluded from the knowledge of God, since he had from the beginning manifested himself to them, though only obscurely and t... [ Continue Reading ]
20._But Isaiah is bold, and says, etc. _As this prophecy is somewhat clearer, that he might excite greater attention he says that it was expressed with great confidence; as though he had said, — “The Prophet did not speak in a figurative language, or with hesitation, but had in plain and clear words... [ Continue Reading ]
21._But of Israel, etc. _A reason is subjoined why God passed over to the Gentiles; it was because he saw that his favor was become a mockery to the Jews. But that readers may more fully understand that the blindness of the people is pointed out in the second clause, Paul expressly reminds us that t... [ Continue Reading ]