Romans 9:1 - Exposition

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing witness with me in the Holy Ghost . For similar solemn asseverations by St. Paul of the truth of what was known to himself alone, cf. Romans 1:9 ; 2 Corinthians 11:31 ; Philippians 1:8 ; 1 Timothy 2:7 . The peculiar solemnity of this may be due to the peculiar depth of his feelings on the subject. It is not necessary to suppose him to be moved by a fear of his patriotic enthusiasm being doubted, now that he had turned Christian, and argued so strongly against Jewish monopoly of privilege But it may have been so. For the force of ἐν χριστῶ , of. 2 Corinthians 2:17 ; 2 Corinthians 12:19 ; Ephesians 4:17 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:1 . It is not an adjuration, but denotes the element in which he moves and speaks. Similarly, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ following (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3 ), which, of course, could not be on oath.