Romans 9
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not - This is one of the most solemn oaths any man can possibly take. He appeals to Christ as the searcher of hearts that he tells the truth; asserts that his conscience was free from all guile in this matter, and that the Holy Ghost bore him testimony that what he said was true. Hence we find that the testimony of a man's own conscience, and the testimony of the Holy Ghost, are two distinct things, and that the apostle had both at the same time. As the apostle had still remaining a very awful part of his commission to execute, namely, to declare to the Jews not only that God had chosen the Gentiles, but had rejected them because they had rejected Christ and his Gospel, it was necessary that he should assure them that however he had been persecuted by them because he had embraced the Gospel, yet it was so far from being a gratification to him that they had now fallen under the displeasure of God, that it was a subject of continual distress to his mind, and that it produced in him great heaviness and continual sorrow.
Open source ↗THE BEARING OF THE FOREGOING TRUTHS UPON THE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE--ELECTION--THE CALLING OF THE GENTILES. (Rom. 9:1-33) I say the truth in Christ--as if steeped in the spirit of Him who wept over impenitent and doomed Jerusalem (compare Rom 1:9; Co2 12:19; Phi 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."
Open source ↗I say the truth in Christ, I lie not,.... The apostle being about to discourse concerning predestination, which he had mentioned in the preceding chapter, and to open the springs and causes of it, and also concerning the induration and rejection of the Jewish nation; he thought it necessary to preface his account of these things with some strong assurances of his great attachment to that people, and his affection for them, lest it should be thought he spoke out of prejudice to them; and well knowing in what situation he stood in with them, on account of his preaching up the abrogation of the ceremonial law, and how difficult it might be for him to obtain their belief in what he should say, he introduces it with a solemn oath, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not": which refers not to what he had said in the foregoing chapter, but to what he was going to say; and is all one as if he had said, as I am in Christ, a converted person, one born again, and renewed in the spirit of my mind, what I am about to speak is truth, and no lie; or I swear by Christ the God of truth, who is truth itself, and I appeal to him as the true God, the searcher of hearts, that what I now deliver is truth, and nothing but truth, and has no falsehood in it. This both shows that the taking of an oath is lawful, and that Christ is truly God, by whom only persons ought to swear: my conscience bearing me witness. The apostle, besides his appeal to Christ, calls his conscience to witness to the truth of his words; and this is as a thousand witnesses; there is in every man a conscience, which unless seared as with a red hot iron, will accuse or excuse, and bear a faithful testimony to words and actions; and especially a conscience enlightened, cleansed, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, as was the…
Open source ↗We have here the apostle's solemn profession of a great concern for the nation and people of the Jews - that he was heartily troubled that so many of them were enemies to the gospel, and out of the way of salvation. For this he had great heaviness and continual sorrow. Such a profession as this was requisite to take off the odium which otherwise he might have contracted by asserting and proving their rejection. It is wisdom as much as may be to mollify those truths which sound harshly and seem unpleasant: dip the nail in oil, it will drive the better. The Jews had a particular pique at Paul above any of the apostles, as appears by the history of the Acts, and therefore were the more apt to take things amiss of him, to prevent which he introduces his discourse with this tender and affectionate profession, that they might not think he triumphed or insulted over the rejected Jews or was pleased with the calamities that were coming upon them. Thus Jeremiah appeals to God concerning the Jews of his day, whose ruin was hastening on (Jer 17:16), Neither have I desired the woeful day, thou knowest. Nay, Paul was so far from desiring it that he most pathetically deprecates it. And lest this should be thought only a copy of his countenance, to flatter and please them, I. He asserts it with a solemn protestation (Rom 9:1): I say the truth in Christ, "I speak it as a Christian, one of God's people, children that will not lie, as one that knows not how to give flattering title." Or, "I appeal to Christ, who searches the heart, concerning it." He appeals likewise to his own conscience, which was instead of a thousand witnesses. That which he was going to assert was not only a great and weighty thing (such solemn protestations are not to be thrown away upon trifles), but it was likewi…
Open source ↗9:1–11:36 In this section, Paul takes up the problem raised by the unbelief of so many Jews. If God had promised salvation to Israel yet so few Jews were being saved, how could Jesus truly be the fulfillment of God’s plan (9:1-5)? In his response to this objection, Paul cites the Old Testament as evidence that God had always intended to save only a remnant of Israel (9:6-29), and he faults the Jews for refusing to embrace Christ (9:30–10:21). Paul then shows that God has not discarded Israel from his plan of salvation. Many Jews have already believed in Christ (11:1-10), and many more will believe in the future (11:12-26).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ψεύδομαι (pseúdomai, G5574) — to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me συνείδησις (syneídēsis, G4893) — co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness συμμαρτυρέω (symmartyréō, G4828) — to testify jointly, i.e. corroborate by (concurrent) evidence μοί (moí, G3427) — to me ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,…
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because μοί (moí, G3427) — to me ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) λύπη (lýpē, G3077) — sadness καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀδιάλειπτος (adiáleiptos, G88) — unintermitted, i.e. permanent ὀδύνη (odýnē, G3601) — grief (as dejecting) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) εὔχομαι (eúchomai, G2172) — to wish; by implication, to pray to God αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἶναι (eînai, G1511) — to exist ἀνάθεμα (anáthema, G331) — a (religious) ban or (concretely) excommunicated (thing or person) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) συγγενής (syngenḗs, G4773) — a relative (by blood); by extension, a fellow countryman κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by…
Open source ↗ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are Ἰσραηλίτης (Israēlítēs, G2475) — an "Israelite", i.e. descendant of Israel (literally or figuratively) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that υἱοθεσία (huiothesía, G5206) — the placing as a son, i.e. adoption (figuratively, Christian sonship in respect to God) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… διαθήκη (diathḗkē, G1242) — properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will) νομοθεσία (nomothesía, G3548) — legislation (specially, the institution of the Mosaic code) λατρεία (latreía, G2999) — ministration of God, i.e. worship ἐπαγγελία (epangelía, G1860) — an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very εὐλογητός (eulogētós, G2128) — adorable εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;…
Open source ↗οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not οἷος (hoîos, G3634) — such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐκπίπτω (ekpíptō, G1601) — to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl, G2474) — Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)
Open source ↗οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are σπέρμα (spérma, G4690) — something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring;… Ἀβραάμ (Abraám, G11) — Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole τέκνον (téknon, G5043) — a child (as produced) ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Ἰσαάκ (Isaák, G2464) — Isaac (i.e. Jitschak), the son of Abraham καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee
Open source ↗τουτέστι (toutésti, G5123) — that is τέκνον (téknon, G5043) — a child (as produced) σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἐπαγγελία (epangelía, G1860) — an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good) λογίζομαι (logízomai, G3049) — to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… σπέρμα (spérma, G4690) — something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring;…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἐπαγγελία (epangelía, G1860) — an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… τοῦτον (toûton, G5126) — this (person, as objective of verb or preposition) καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Σάῤῥα (Sárrha, G4564) — Sarra (i.e. Sarah), the wife of Abraham ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not μόνον (mónon, G3440) — merely ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) Ῥεβέκκα (Rhebékka, G4479) — Rebecca (i.e. Ribkah), the wife of Isaac καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κοίτη (koítē, G2845) — a couch; by extension, cohabitation; by implication, the male sperm ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) Ἰσαάκ (Isaák, G2464) — Isaac (i.e. Jitschak), the son of Abraham
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… γεννάω (gennáō, G1080) — to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to… μήπω (mḗpō, G3380) — not yet μηδέ (mēdé, G3366) — but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor πράσσω (prássō, G4238) — to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160 (ποιέω),… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than κακός (kakós, G2556) — worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 (πονηρός) properly refers to effects), i.e.… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) πρόθεσις (próthesis, G4286) — a setting forth, i.e. (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially, the show-bread (in… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἐκλογή (eklogḗ, G1589) — (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely)
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ῥέω (rhéō, G4483) — to utter, i.e. speak or say αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μείζων (meízōn, G3187) — larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age) δουλεύω (douleúō, G1398) — to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary) ἐλάσσων (elássōn, G1640) — smaller (in size, quantity, age or quality)
Open source ↗καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe Ἰακώβ (Iakṓb, G2384) — Jacob (i.e. Ja`akob), the progenitor of the Israelites ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἠσαῦ (Ēsaû, G2269) — Esau, an Edomite μισέω (miséō, G3404) — to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less
Open source ↗τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐρέω (eréō, G2046) — an alternate for G2036 (ἔπω) in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness… παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.
As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!