Chapter 9:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Romans 9
Concise Complete
The apostle's concern that his countrymen were strangers
to the gospel. (1-5) The promises are made good to the spiritual seed of
Abraham. (6-13) Answers to objections against God's sovereign conduct, in
exercising mercy and justice. (14-24) This sovereignty is in God's dealing both
with Jews and Gentiles. (25-29) The falling short of the Jews is owing to their
seeking justification, not by faith, but by the works of the law. (30-33)
Verses 1-5 Being
about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, and
to show that the whole agrees with the sovereign electing love of God, the
apostle expresses strongly his affection for his people. He solemnly appeals to
Christ; and his conscience, enlightened and directed by the Holy Spirit, bore
witness to his sincerity. He would submit to be treated as "accursed," to be
disgraced, crucified; and even for a time be in the deepest horror and distress;
if he could rescue his nation from the destruction about to come upon them for
their obstinate unbelief. To be insensible to the eternal condition of our
fellow-creatures, is contrary both to the love required by the law, and the
mercy of the gospel. They had long been professed worshippers of Jehovah. The
law, and the national covenant which was grounded thereon, belonged to them. The
temple worship was typical of salvation by the Messiah, and the means of
communion with God. All the promises concerning Christ and his salvation were
given to them. He is not only over all, as Mediator, but he is God blessed for
ever.
Verses 6-13 The
rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to
the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not
run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church
privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God
therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau
and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children of wrath even as others. If left to
themselves they would have continued in sin through life; but for wise and holy
reasons, not made known to us, he purposed to change Jacob's heart, and to leave
Esau to his perverseness. This instance of Esau and Jacob throws light upon the
Divine conduct to the fallen race of man. The whole Scripture shows the
difference between the professed Christian and the real believer. Outward
privileges are bestowed on many who are not the children of God. There is,
however, full encouragement to diligent use of the means of grace which God has
appointed.
Verses 14-24
Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein the holy, happy people of God differ
from others, God's grace alone makes them differ. In this preventing, effectual,
distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor, whose grace is his own. None have
deserved it; so that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those who
perish, must blame themselves only,
13:9 . God is bound no further
than he has been pleased to bind himself by his own covenant and promise, which
is his revealed will. And this is, that he will receive, and not cast out, those
that come to Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming, is an
anticipating, distinguishing favour to whom he will. Why does he yet find fault?
This is not an objection to be made by the creature against his Creator, by man
against God. The truth, as it is in Jesus, abases man as nothing, as less than
nothing, and advances God as sovereign Lord of all. Who art thou that art so
foolish, so feeble, so unable to judge the Divine counsels? It becomes us to
submit to him, not to reply against him. Would not men allow the infinite God
the same sovereign right to manage the affairs of the creation, as the potter
exercises in disposing of his clay, when of the same lump he makes one vessel to
a more honourable, and one to a meaner use? God could do no wrong, however it
might appear to men. God will make it appear that he hates sin. Also, he formed
vessels filled with mercy. Sanctification is the preparation of the soul for
glory. This is God's work. Sinners fit themselves for hell, but it is God who
prepares saints for heaven; and all whom God designs for heaven hereafter, he
fits for heaven now. Would we know who these vessels of mercy are? Those whom
God has called; and these not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles. Surely
there can be no unrighteousness in any of these Divine dispensations. Nor in
God's exercising long-suffering, patience, and forbearance towards sinners under
increasing guilt, before he brings utter destruction upon them. The fault is in
the hardened sinner himself. As to all who love and fear God, however such
truths appear beyond their reason to fathom, yet they should keep silence before
him. It is the Lord alone who made us to differ; we should adore his pardoning
mercy and new-creating grace, and give diligence to make our calling and
election sure.
Verses 25-29 The
rejecting of the Jews, and the taking in the Gentiles, were foretold in the Old
Testament. It tends very much to the clearing of a truth, to observe how the
Scripture is fulfilled in it. It is a wonder of Divine power and mercy that
there are any saved: for even those left to be a seed, if God had dealt with
them according to their sins, had perished with the rest. This great truth this
Scripture teaches us. Even among the vast number of professing Christians it is
to be feared that only a remnant will be saved.
Verses 30-33 The
Gentiles knew not their guilt and misery, therefore were not careful to procure
a remedy. Yet they attained to righteousness by faith. Not by becoming
proselytes to the Jewish religion, and submitting to the ceremonial law; but by
embracing Christ, and believing in him, and submitting to the gospel. The Jews
talked much of justification and holiness, and seemed very ambitious to be the
favourites of God. They sought, but not in the right way, not in the humbling
way, not in the appointed way. Not by faith, not by embracing Christ, depending
upon Christ, and submitting to the gospel. They expected justification by
observing the precepts and ceremonies of the law of Moses. The unbelieving Jews
had a fair offer of righteousness, life, and salvation, made them upon gospel
terms, which they did not like, and would not accept. Have we sought to know how
we may be justified before God, seeking that blessing in the way here pointed
out, by faith in Christ, as the Lord our Righteousness? Then we shall not be
ashamed in that awful day, when all refuges of lies shall be swept away, and the
Divine wrath shall overflow every hiding-place but that which God hath prepared
in his own Son.
Chapter 9:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
