rwp - 9

rwp@Romans:9:1 @{In Christ} (\en Christi\). Paul really takes a triple oath here so strongly is he stirred. He makes a positive affirmation in Christ, a negative one (not lying), the appeal to his conscience as co-witness (\sunmarturouss\, genitive absolute as in strkjv@2:15| which see) "in the Holy Spirit."

rwp@Romans:9:2 @{Sorrow} (\lup\). Because the Jews were rejecting Christ the Messiah. "We may compare the grief of a Jew writing after the fall of Jerusalem" (Sanday and Headlam). {Unceasing pain in my heart} (\adialeiptos odun ti kardii\). Like _angina pectoris_. \Odun\ is old word for consuming grief, in N.T. only here and and strkjv@1Timothy:6:10|. {Unceasing} (\adialeiptos\). Late and rare adjective (in an inscription 1 cent. B.C.), in N.T. only here and strkjv@2Timothy:1:3|. Two rare words together and both here only in N.T. and I and II Timothy (some small argument for the Pauline authorship of the Pastoral Epistles).

rwp@Romans:9:3 @{I could wish} (\uchomn\). Idiomatic imperfect, "I was on the point of wishing." We can see that \euchomai\ (I do wish) would be wrong to say. \An uchomn\ would mean that he does not wish (conclusion of second class condition). \An uchomn\ would be conclusion of fourth class condition and too remote. He is shut up to the imperfect indicative (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 886). {Anathema} (\anathema\). See for this word as distinct from \anathma\ (offering) strkjv@1Corinthians:12:3; strkjv@Galatians:1:8f.| {I myself} (\autos eg\). Nominative with the infinitive \einai\ and agreeing with subject of \uchomn\. {According to the flesh} (\kata sarka\). As distinguished from Paul's Christian brethren.

rwp@Romans:9:4 @{Who} (\hoitines\). The very ones who, inasmuch as they. {Israelites} (\Israleitai\). Covenant name of the chosen people. {Whose} (\hn\). Predicate genitive of the relative, used also again with \hoi pateres\. For "the adoption" (\h huiothesia\) see strkjv@8:15|. {The glory} (\h doxa\). The Shekinah Glory of God (3:23|) and used of Jesus in strkjv@James:2:1|. {The covenants} (\hai diathkai\). Plural because renewed often (Genesis:6:18; strkjv@9:9; strkjv@15:18; strkjv@17:2,7,9; strkjv@Exodus:2:24|). {The giving of the law} (\h nomothesia\). Old word, here only in N.T., from \nomos\ and \tithmi\. {The service} (\h latreia\). The temple service (Hebrews:9:1,6|). {The fathers} (\hoi pateres\). The patriarchs (Acts:3:13; strkjv@7:32|).

rwp@Romans:9:5 @{Of whom} (\ex hn\). Fourth relative clause and here with \ex\ and the ablative. {Christ} (\ho Christos\). The Messiah. {As concerning the flesh} (\to kata sarka\). Accusative of general reference, "as to the according to the flesh." Paul limits the descent of Jesus from the Jews to his human side as he did in strkjv@1:3f|. {Who is over all, God blessed for ever} (\ho on epi pantn theos eulogtos\). A clear statement of the deity of Christ following the remark about his humanity. This is the natural and the obvious way of punctuating the sentence. To make a full stop after \sarka\ (or colon) and start a new sentence for the doxology is very abrupt and awkward. See strkjv@Acts:20:28; strkjv@Titus:2:13| for Paul's use of \theos\ applied to Jesus Christ.

rwp@Romans:9:6 @{But it is not as though} (\ouch hoion de hoti\). Supply \estin\ after \ouch\: "But it is not such as that," an old idiom, here alone in N.T. {Hath come to nought} (\ekpeptken\). Perfect active indicative of \ekpipt\, old verb, to fall out. {For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel} (\ou gar pantes hoi ex Isral houtoi Isral\). "For not all those out of Israel (the literal Jewish nation), these are Israel (the spiritual Israel)." This startling paradox is not a new idea with Paul. He had already shown (Galatians:3:7-9|) that those of faith are the true sons of Abraham. He has amplified that idea also in strkjv@Romans:4|. Songs:he is not making a clever dodge here to escape a difficulty. He now shows how this was the original purpose of God to include only those who believed. {Seed of Abraham} (\sperma Abraam\). Physical descent here, but spiritual seed by promise in verse 8|. He quotes strkjv@Genesis:21:12f|.

rwp@Romans:9:8 @{The children of the promise} (\ta tekna ts epaggelias\). Not through Ishmael, but through Isaac. Only the children of the promise are "children of God" (\tekna tou theou\) in the full sense. He is not speaking of Christians here, but simply showing that the privileges of the Jews were not due to their physical descent from Abraham. Cf. strkjv@Luke:3:8|.

rwp@Romans:9:9 @{A word of promise} (\epaggelias ho logos houtos\). Literally, "this word is one of promise." Paul combines strkjv@Genesis:18:10,14| from the LXX.

rwp@Romans:9:10 @{Having conceived of one} (\ex henos koitn echousa\). By metonomy with cause for the effect we have this peculiar idiom (\koit\ being bed, marriage bed), "having a marriage bed from one" husband. One father and twins.

rwp@Romans:9:11 @{The children being not yet born} (\mp gennthentn\). Genitive absolute with first aorist passive participle of \genna\, to beget, to be born, though no word for children nor even the pronoun \autn\ (they). {Neither having done anything good or bad} (\mde praxantn ti agathon phaulon\). Genitive absolute again with first active participle of \prass\. On \phaulon\, see strkjv@2Corinthians:5:10|. {The purpose of God} (\h prothesis tou theou\). See strkjv@8:28| for \prothesis\. {According to election} (\kat' eklogn\). Old word from \ekleg\, to select, to choose out. See strkjv@1Thessalonians:1:4|. Here it is the purpose (\prothesis\) of God which has worked according to the principles of election. {Not of works} (\ouk ex ergn\). Not of merit.

rwp@Romans:9:12 @{But of him that calleth} (\all' ek tou kalountos\). Present active articular participle of \kale\ in the ablative case after \ek\. The source of the selection is God himself. Paul quotes strkjv@Genesis:25:33| (LXX).

rwp@Romans:9:13 @Paul quotes strkjv@Malachi:1:2f|. {But Esau I hated} (\ton de Esau emissa\). This language sounds a bit harsh to us. It is possible that the word \mise\ did not always carry the full force of what we mean by "hate." See strkjv@Matthew:6:24| where these very verbs (\mise\ and \agapa\) are contrasted. Songs:also in strkjv@Luke:14:26| about "hating" (\mise\) one's father and mother if coming between one and Christ. Songs:in strkjv@John:12:25| about "hating" one's life. There is no doubt about God's preference for Jacob and rejection of Esau, but in spite of Sanday and Headlam one hesitates to read into these words here the intense hatred that has always existed between the descendants of Jacob and of Esau.

rwp@Romans:9:14 @{Is there unrighteousness with God?} (\m adikia para ti thei?\). Paul goes right to the heart of the problem. \M\ expects a negative answer. "Beside" (\para\) God there can be no injustice to Esau or to any one because of election.

rwp@Romans:9:15 @{For he says to Moses} (\ti Musei gar legei\). He has an Old Testament illustration of God's election in the case of Pharaoh (Exodus:33:19|). {On whom I have mercy} (\hon an ele\). Indefinite relative with \an\ and the present active subjunctive of \elea\, late verb only here and strkjv@Jude:1:23| in N.T. "On whomsoever I have mercy." The same construction in \hon an oikteir\, "on whomsoever I have compassion."

rwp@Romans:9:16 @{Songs:then} (\ara oun\). In view of this quotation. {It is not of} (\ou\). We must supply \estin eleos\ with \ou\. "Mercy is not of." The articular participles (\tou thelontos, tou trechontos, tou elentos\) can be understood as in the genitive with \eleos\ understood (mercy is not a quality of) or as the predicate ablative of source like \epiluses\ in strkjv@2Peter:1:20|. Paul is fond of the metaphor of running.

rwp@Romans:9:17 @{To Pharaoh} (\ti Phara\). There is a national election as seen in verses 7-13|, but here Paul deals with the election of individuals. He "lays down the principle that God's grace does not necessarily depend upon anything but God's will" (Sanday and Headlam). He quotes strkjv@Exodus:9:16|. {Might be published} (\diaggeli\). Second aorist passive subjunctive of \diaggell\.

rwp@Romans:9:18 @{He hardeneth} (\sklrunei\). Pharaoh hardened his own heart also (Exodus:8:15,32; strkjv@9:34|), but God gives men up also (1:24,26,28|). This late word is used by the Greek physicians Galen and Hippocrates. See on ¯Acts:19:9|. Only here in Paul.

rwp@Romans:9:19 @{Why doth he still find fault?} (\ti eti memphetai?\). Old verb, to blame. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Hebrews:8:8|. Paul's imaginary objector picks up the admission that God hardened Pharaoh's heart. "Still" (\eti\) argues for a change of condition since that is true. {Withstandeth his will} (\ti boulmati autou anthestken\). Perfect active indicative of \anthistmi\, old verb, maintains a stand (the perfect tense). Many have attempted to resist God's will (\boulma\, deliberate purpose, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Acts:27:43; strkjv@1Peter:4:3|). Elsewhere \thelma\ (Matthew:6:10|).

rwp@Romans:9:20 @{Nay, but, O man, who art thou?} (\O anthrpe, men oun ge su tis ei?\). "O man, but surely thou who art thou?" Unusual and emphatic order of the words, prolepsis of \su\ (thou) before \tis\ (who) and \men oun ge\ (triple particle, \men\, indeed, \oun\, therefore, \ge\, at least) at the beginning of clause as in strkjv@Romans:10:18; strkjv@Phillipians:3:8| contrary to ancient idiom, but so in papyri. {That repliest} (\ho antapokrinomenos\). Present middle articular participle of double compound verb \antapokrinomai\, to answer to one's face (\anti-\) late and vivid combination, also in strkjv@Luke:14:6|, nowhere else in N.T., but in LXX. {The thing formed} (\to plasma\). Old word (Plato, Aristophanes) from \plass\, to mould, as with clay or wax, from which the aorist active participle used here (\ti plasanti\) comes. Paul quotes these words from strkjv@Isaiah:29:16| verbatim. It is a familiar idea in the Old Testament, the absolute power of God as Creator like the potter's use of clay (Isaiah:44:8; strkjv@45:8-10; strkjv@Jeremiah:18:6|). \M\ expects a negative answer. {Why didst thou make me thus?} (\ti me epoisas houts?\). The original words in Isaiah dealt with the nation, but Paul applies them to individuals. This question does not raise the problem of the origin of sin for the objector does not blame God for that but why God has used us as he has, made some vessels out of the clay for this purpose, some for that. Observe "thus" (\houts\). The potter takes the clay as he finds it, but uses it as he wishes.

rwp@Romans:9:21 @{Or hath not the potter a right over the clay?} (\ ouk echei exousian ho kerameus tou plou?\). This question, expecting an affirmative answer, is Paul's reply to the previous one, "Why didst thou make me thus?" \Plos\, old word for clay, is mud or wet clay in strkjv@John:9:6,11,14f|. The old word for potter (\kerameus\) in N.T. only here and strkjv@Matthew:27:7,10|. {Lump} (\phuramatos\). Late word from \phura\, to mix (clay, dough, etc.). {One part} (\ho men\) {--another} (\ho de\). Regular idiom for contrast (\men--de\) with the old demonstrative \ho\ (this), "this vessel (\skeuos\, old word as in strkjv@Mark:11:16|) for honour, that for dishonour." Paul thus claims clearly God's sovereign right (\exousian\, power, right, authority, from \exesti\) to use men (already sinners) for his own purpose.

rwp@Romans:9:22 @{Willing} (\theln\). Concessive use of the participle, "although willing," not causal, "because willing" as is shown by "with much long-suffering" (\en polli makrothumii\, in much long-suffering). {His power} (\to dunaton autou\). Neuter singular of the verbal adjective rather than the substantive \dunamin\. {Endured} (\negken\). Constative second aorist active indicative of the old defective verb \pher\, to bear. {Vessels of wrath} (\skeu orgs\). The words occur in strkjv@Jeremiah:50:25| (LXX strkjv@Jeremiah:27:25|), but not in the sense here (objective genitive like \tekna orgs\, strkjv@Ephesians:2:3|, the objects of God's wrath). {Fitted} (\katrtismena\). Perfect passive participle of \katartiz\, old verb to equip (see strkjv@Matthew:4:21; strkjv@2Corinthians:13:11|), state of readiness. Paul does not say here that God did it or that they did it. That they are responsible may be seen from strkjv@1Thessalonians:2:15f|. {Unto destruction} (\eis apleian\). Endless perdition (Matthew:7:13; strkjv@2Thessalonians:2:3; strkjv@Phillipians:3:19|), not annihilation.

rwp@Romans:9:23 @{Vessels of mercy} (\skeu eleous\). Objective genitive like \skeu orgs\. {Afore prepared} (\protoimasen\). First aorist active indicative of \proetoimaz\, old verb to make ready (from \hetoimos\, ready) and \pro\, before, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Ephesians:2:10|. But same idea in strkjv@Romans:8:28-30|.

rwp@Romans:9:24 @{But also from the Gentiles} (\alla kai ex ethnn\). Paul had already alluded to this fact in strkjv@9:6f.| (cf. strkjv@Galatians:3:7-9|). Now he proceeds to prove it from the Old Testament.

rwp@Romans:9:25 @{In Hosea} (\en ti Hse\). He quotes strkjv@2:23| with some freedom. Hosea refers to the ten tribes and Paul applies the principle stated there to the Gentiles. Hosea had a son named _Lo-ammi_ = \ou laos\. Songs:here \ho ou laos mou\ "the not people of mine." \Ou\ with substantives obliterates the meaning of the substantive, an idiom seen in Thucydides and other Greek writers. See also strkjv@Romans:10:19; strkjv@1Peter:2:10|. {Which was not beloved} (\tn ouk gapmenn\). The LXX rendering of _Lo-ruhamah_ (not mercy, without mercy or love), name of Hosea's daughter. The use of \ouk\ with the perfect passive participle is emphatic, since \m\ is the usual negative of the participle in the _Koin_.

rwp@Romans:9:26 @{Ye are not my people} (\ou laos mou humeis\). Quotation from strkjv@Hosea:1:10| (LXX strkjv@Hosea:2:1|). {There} (\ekei\). Palestine in the original, but Paul applies it to scattered Jews and Gentiles everywhere.

rwp@Romans:9:27 @{Isaiah} (\Esaias\). Shortened quotation from strkjv@Isaiah:10:22| (LXX). {It is the remnant that shall be saved} (\to hupoleimma sthsetai\). First future passive of \sz\. Literally, "the remnant will be saved." Late word from \hupoleip\, to leave behind (11:3|), here only in N.T. Textus Receptus has \kataleimma\, but Aleph A B have \hupoleimma\. Isaiah cries in anguish over the outlook for Israel, but sees hope for the remnant.

rwp@Romans:9:28 @{Finishing it and cutting it short} (\sunteln kai suntemnn\). Present active participles and note \sun-\ with each (perfective use of the preposition, finishing completely as in strkjv@Luke:4:13|, cutting off completely or abridging and here only in N.T.) The quotation is from strkjv@Isaiah:28:22|.

rwp@Romans:9:29 @{Hath said before} (\proeirken\). Perfect active indicative of \proeipon\ (defective verb). Stands on record in strkjv@Isaiah:1:9|. {Had left} (\egkatelipen\). Second aorist active indicative of old verb \egkataleip\, to leave behind. Condition of second class, determined as unfulfilled, with \an egenthmen\ and \an hmoithmen\ as the conclusions (both first aorist passives of \ginomai\ and \homoio\, common verbs). {A seed} (\sperma\). The remnant of verse 27|.

rwp@Romans:9:30 @{Attained} (\katelaben\). Second aorist active indicative of \katalamban\, old verb, to grasp, to seize, to overtake (carrying out the figure in \dik\ (to pursue). It was a curious paradox. {Which is of faith} (\tn ek pistes\). As Paul has repeatedly shown, the only way to get the God-kind of righteousness.

rwp@Romans:9:31 @{Did not arrive at that law} (\eis nomon ouk ephthasen\). First aorist active indicative of \phthan\, old verb to anticipate (1Thessalonians:4:15|), now just to arrive as here and strkjv@2Corinthians:10:14|. The word "that" is not in the Greek. Legal righteousness Israel failed to reach, because to do that one had to keep perfectly all the law.

rwp@Romans:9:32 @We must supply the omitted verb \edixa\ (pursued) from verse 31|. That explains the rest. {They stumbled at the stone of stumbling} (\prosekopsan ti lithi tou proskommatos\). The quotation is from strkjv@Isaiah:8:14|. \Proskopt\ means to cut (\kopt\) against (\pros\) as in strkjv@Matthew:4:6; strkjv@John:11:9f|. The Jews found Christ a \skandalon\ (1Corinthians:1:23|).

rwp@Romans:9:33 @Paul repeats the phrase just used in the whole quotation from strkjv@Isaiah:8:14| with the same idea in "a rock of offence" (\petran skandalou\, "a rock of snare," a rock which the Jews made a cause of stumbling). The rest of the verse is quoted from strkjv@Isaiah:28:16|. However, the Hebrew means "shall not make haste" rather than "shall not be put to shame." In strkjv@1Peter:2:8| we have the same use of these Scriptures about Christ. Either Peter had read Romans or both Paul and Peter had a copy of Christian _Testimonia_ like Cyprian's later.

Romans 9