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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Romans 9:1

Romans 9:1. I say the truth in Christ. The asseveration of the Apostle is threefold: and is introduced abruptly, without a conjunction, in accordance with the feeling which prompts it ‘In Christ' is not an adjuration (the form of an oath in Greek would be entirely different), but means, in fellowship with Christ, the element in which be lives. Such fellowship with Him who is the Truth implies the sincerity of one who enjoys it.

I lie not. This negative form of asseveration is a rhetorical strengthening of the previous expression.

My conscience also bearing me witness; or, ‘my conscience bearing witness with me.' The former explanation is preferable: he does not He, for his conscience, which would convict him of falsehood, gives testimony to him in accordance with what he is about to state. The other explanation points to a joint testimony; but his conscience and himself could not be joint witnesses to the Romans.

In the Holy Spirit. To be joined with ‘bearing me witness,' not with ‘my conscience.' His conscience is, indeed, governed by the Holy Spirit, but in what he is about to say, he cannot lie, for the testimony his conscience bears is ‘in the Holy Spirit.' Notice the symmetry: He speaks the truth, in fellowship with Christ; he does not lie, for his conscience bears testimony in the Holy Spirit

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See also Romans 9:1 in other biblical comments:

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  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

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  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

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  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    I tell you the truth as one who is united to Christ is bound to do. I do not lie. My conscience bears witness with me in the Holy Spirit when I say that my grief is great and there is unceasing anguis...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

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  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

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  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

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  • Charles Rose Commentaries

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  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

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  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

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  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

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  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

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  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

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  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

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  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

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  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

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  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

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  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

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  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Paul begins by expressing his great sorrow because the Jews had rejected Christ. Romans 9:1. _I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I hav...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    The Jews thought that God must certainly save them. They thought they had a birth claim. Were they not the children of Abraham? Surely they had some right to it. This chapter battles the question of r...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Romans 9:1. _I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself w...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

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  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Romans 9:1. _I say the truth in Christ, I lie not._ These forms of speech are equivalent to a solemn oath, and emanate from a heart deeply imbued with the sentiments of the Saviour, who often wept ove...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WHAT I SAY IS TRUE. Paul implied in Romans 3:3 that God would reject the Jewish Nation because they disbelieved Christ. Some Jews then said: "If this is true, then God has broken his own promise and r...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 9:1 God’s Righteousness to Israel and to the Gentiles. Paul has made it clear that God’s saving promises have been fulfilled for the Gentiles. He now asks whether the promises Go...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 9:1. I SPEAK IN CHRIST THE TRUTH.—Not to be rendered, “I speak the truth in Christ.” The apostle, not as a man merely, but as a member of Christ, in His name, as His apostle....

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ROMANS 11:1 2. _The present position and prospects of the Jewish nation con-sidereal._ ROMANS 9:1 (1) _Deep regret expressed for the present exclusion of the Jewish nation from inheritan...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Paul has just closed the eighth chapter of Romans in which he has taken us into the very peaks of the spiritual experiences that are ours in Christ Jesus. Showing us that we have this glorious place i...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 John 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 2:7;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    In Christ. Not by Christ, as the formula of an oath, Christ being never used by the apostles in such a formula, but God. Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 11:31;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    HATH GOD CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE? Romans 9:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. We have the depths of the heart of Paul toward the Jews. How the heart of the Apostle must have throbbed as he wrote, "I say the truth...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    In Christ — This seems to imply an appeal to him. In the Holy Ghost — Through his grace....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, 1. The apostle's solemn asseveration or oath; he calls Christ and the Holy Ghost to witness for the truth of what he says, which is the very formality of an oath. Learn thence, That it...

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Old Testament