2. That I have, &c.—"That I have great grief (or, sorrow) and unceasing anguish in my heart"—the bitter hostility of his nation to the glorious Gospel, and the awful consequences of their unbelief, weighing heavily and incessantly upon his spirit. read more
3. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for—"in behalf of" my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh—In proportion as he felt himself severed from his nation, he seems to have realized all the more vividly their natural relationship. To explain away the wish here expressed, as too strong for any Christian to utter or conceive, some have rendered the opening words, "I did wish," referring it to his former unenlightened state; a sense of the words too tame to be endured:... read more
4. Who are Israelites—See Romans 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5. to whom pertaineth—"whose is" the adoption—It is true that, compared with the new economy, the old was a state of minority and pupilage, and so far that of a bond-servant (Philippians 3:5- :); yet, compared with the state of the surrounding heathen, the choice of Abraham and his seed was a real separation of them to be a Family of God (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 1:2; Jeremiah 31:9; Hosea 11:1; Malachi 1:6).... read more
5. Whose are the fathers—here, probably, the three great fathers of the covenant—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—by whom God condescended to name Himself (Exodus 8:6; Exodus 8:13; Luke 20:37). and—most exalted privilege of all, and as such, reserved to the last. of whom as concerning the flesh—(See on Romans 1:3). Christ came—or, "is Christ" who is over all, God—rather, "God over all." blessed for ever. Amen—To get rid of the bright testimony here borne to the supreme divinity of Christ, various... read more
6. Not as though the word of God had taken none effect—"hath fallen to the ground," that is, failed: compare Luke 16:17, Greek. for they are not all Israel which are of Israel—better, "for not all they which are of Israel are Israel." Here the apostle enters upon the profound subject of ELECTION, the treatment of which extends to the end of the eleventh chapter—"Think not that I mourn over the total loss of Israel; for that would involve the failure of God's word to Abraham; but not all that... read more
7-9. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children—"Not in the line of mere fleshly descent from Abraham does the election run; else Ishmael, Hagar's child, and even Keturah's children, would be included, which they were not." but—the true election are such of Abraham's seed as God unconditionally chooses, as exemplified in that promise. in Isaac shall thy seed be called— (Genesis 21:12). read more
10-13. And not only this; but when Rebecca, c.—It might be thought that there was a natural reason for preferring the child of Sarah, as being Abraham's true and first wife, both to the child of Hagar, Sarah's maid, and to the children of Keturah, his second wife. But there could be no such reason in the case of Rebecca, Isaac's only wife for the choice of her son Jacob was the choice of one of two sons by the same mother and of the younger in preference to the elder, and before either of them... read more
14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid—This is the first of two objections to the foregoing doctrine, that God chooses one and rejects another, not on account of their works, but purely in the exercise of His own good pleasure: "This doctrine is inconsistent with the justice of God." The answer to this objection extends to Romans 9:19, where we have the second objection. read more
15. For he saith to Moses— ( :-). I will have mercy on whom I will have—"on whom I have" mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have—"on whom I have" compassion—"There can be no unrighteousness in God's choosing whom He will, for to Moses He expressly claims the right to do so." Yet it is worthy of notice that this is expressed in the positive rather than the negative form: not, "I will have mercy on none but whom I will"; but, "I will have mercy on whomsoever I will." read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 9:1
1, 2. I say the truth in Christ—as if steeped in the spirit of Him who wept over impenitent and doomed Jerusalem (compare Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 12:19; Philippians 1:8). my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost—"my conscience as quickened, illuminated, and even now under the direct operation of the Holy Ghost." read more