Romans:1-9



rwp@Romans:1:2 @{He promised afore} (\proepˆggeilato\). First aorist middle of \proepaggell“\ for which verb see on ¯2Corinthians:9:5|. {By} (\dia\). Through, by means of, intermediate agency like strkjv@Matthew:1:22| which see. {In the holy scriptures} (\en graphais hagiais\). No article, yet definite. Perhaps the earliest use of the phrase (Sanday and Headlam). Paul definitely finds God's gospel in the Holy Scriptures.

rwp@Romans:1:3 @{Concerning his Son} (\peri tou huiou autou\). Just as Jesus found himself in the O.T. (Luke:24:27,46|). The deity of Christ here stated. {According to the flesh} (\kata sarka\). His real humanity alongside of his real deity. For the descent from David see strkjv@Matthew:1:1,6,20; strkjv@Luke:1:27; strkjv@John:7:42; strkjv@Acts:13:23|, etc.

rwp@Romans:1:4 @{Who was declared} (\tou horisthentos\). Articular participle (first aorist passive) of \horiz“\ for which verb see on ¯Luke:22:22; strkjv@Acts:2:23|. He was the Son of God in his preincarnate state (2Corinthians:8:9; strkjv@Phillipians:2:6|) and still so after his Incarnation (verse 3|, "of the seed of David"), but it was the Resurrection of the dead (\ex anastase“s nekr“n\, the general resurrection implied by that of Christ) that definitely marked Jesus off as God's Son because of his claims about himself as God's Son and his prophecy that he would rise on the third day. This event (cf. strkjv@1Corinthians:15|) gave God's seal "with power" (\en dunamei\), "in power," declared so in power (2Corinthians:13:4|). The Resurrection of Christ is the miracle of miracles. "The resurrection only declared him to be what he truly was" (Denney). {According to the spirit of holiness} (\kata pneuma hagi“sunˆs\). Not the Holy Spirit, but a description of Christ ethically as \kata sarka\ describes him physically (Denney). \Hagi“sunˆ\ is rare (1Thessalonians:3:13; strkjv@2Corinthians:7:1| in N.T.), three times in LXX, each time as the attribute of God. "The \pneuma hagi“sunˆs\, though not the Divine nature, is that in which the Divinity or Divine Personality Resided " (Sanday and Headlam). {Jesus Christ our Lord} (\Iˆsou Christou tou kuriou hˆm“n\). These words gather up the total personality of Jesus (his deity and his humanity).

rwp@Romans:1:5 @{Unto obedience of faith} (\eis hupakoˆn piste“s\). Subjective genitive as in strkjv@16:26|, the obedience which springs from faith (the act of assent or surrender).

rwp@Romans:1:6 @{Called to be Jesus Christ's} (\klˆtoi Iˆsou Christou\). Predicate genitive after \klˆtoi\ (verbal adjective from \kale“\, to call), though it is possible to consider it the ablative case, "called of (or from) Jesus Christ."

rwp@Romans:1:7 @{In Rome} (\en R“mˆi\). One late uncial (G of tenth century) and a cursive omit these words here and one or two other late MSS. omit \en R“mˆi\ in verse 15|. This possibly proves the Epistle was circulated as a circular to a limited extent, but the evidence is late and slight and by no means shows that this was the case in the first century. It is not comparable with the absence of \en Ephes“i\ in strkjv@Ephesians:1:1| from Aleph and B (the two oldest and best MSS.). {Beloved of God} (\agapˆtois theou\). Ablative case of \theou\ after the verbal adjective like \didaktoi theou\ (taught of God) in strkjv@John:6:45| (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 516). {From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ} (\apo theou patros hˆm“n kai kuriou Iˆsou Christou\). "St. Paul, if not formally enunciating a doctrine of the Divinity of Christ, held a view which cannot really be distinguished from it" (Sanday and Headlam). Paul's theology is clearly seen in the terms used in verses 1-7|.

rwp@Romans:1:8 @{First} (\pr“ton men\). Adverb in the accusative case, but no \epeita de\ (in the next place) as in strkjv@Hebrews:7:2| or \epeita\ as in strkjv@James:3:17| follows. The rush of thoughts crowds out the balanced phraseology as in strkjv@Romans:3:2; strkjv@1Corinthians:11:18|. {Through} (\dia\). As the mediator or medium of thanksgiving as in strkjv@7:25|. {For} (\peri\). Concerning, about. {That} (\hoti\). Or because. Either declarative or causal \hoti\ makes sense here. {Your faith} (\hˆ pistis hum“n\). "Your Christianity" (Sanday and Headlam). {Is proclaimed} (\kataggelletai\). Present passive indicative of \kataggell“\, to announce (\aggell“\) up and down (\kata\). See also \anaggell“\, to bring back news (John:5:15|), \apaggell“\, to announce from one as the source (Matthew:2:8|), \prokataggell“\, to announce far and wide beforehand (Acts:3:18|). {Throughout all the world} (\en hol“i t“i kosm“i\). Natural hyperbole as in strkjv@Colossians:1:6; strkjv@Acts:17:6|. But widely known because the church was in the central city of the empire.

rwp@Romans:1:9 @{I serve} (\latreu“\). Old verb from \latron\, hire, and \latris\, hireling, so to serve for hire, then to serve in general gods or men, whether sacred services (Hebrews:9:9; strkjv@10:2|) or spiritual service as here. Cf. strkjv@Romans:12:1; strkjv@Phillipians:3:3|. {Unceasingly} (\adialeipt“s\). Late adverb for which see strkjv@1Thessalonians:1:2f.; strkjv@2:13; strkjv@5:17|, only other N.T. examples. {Always} (\pantote\). One might think that Paul prayed for no others, but he uses both adverbs in strkjv@1Thessalonians:1:2|. He seems to have had prayer lists. He never omitted the Romans.

rwp@Romans:1:10 @{If by any means now at length} (\ei p“s ˆdˆ pote\). A condition of the first class in the form of an indirect question (aim) or elliptical condition like strkjv@Acts:27:12| (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1024). Note the four particles together to express Paul's feelings of emotion that now at length somehow it may really come true. {I may be prospered} (\euod“thˆsomai\). First future passive indicative of \euodo“\ for which verb see on ¯1Corinthians:16:2|. {By the will of God} (\en t“i thelˆmati tou theou\). Paul's way lay "in" God's will.

rwp@Romans:1:11 @{Impart} (\metad“\). Second aorist active subjunctive of \metadid“mi\, to share with one. See on ¯Luke:3:11; strkjv@1Thessalonians:2:8|. {To the end ye may be established} (\eis to stˆrichthˆnai humas\). Final clause (common in Paul) with \eis to\ and the first aorist passive infinitive of \stˆriz“\ for which verb see on ¯Luke:22:32; strkjv@1Thessalonians:3:3,13|.

rwp@Romans:1:12 @{That is} (\touto de estin\). "An explanatory correction" (Denney). The \de\ should not be ignored. Instead of saying that he had a spiritual gift for them, he wishes to add that they also have one for him. {That I with you may be comforted} (\sunparaklˆthˆnai en humin\). "My being comforted in you (\en humin\) together (\sun-\) with you," a mutual blessing to each party (you and me).

rwp@Romans:1:13 @{Oftentimes I purposed} (\pollakis proethemˆn\). Second aorist middle of \protithˆmi\, old verb to place, to propose to oneself, in N.T. only here, strkjv@3:25; strkjv@Ephesians:1:9|. See strkjv@Acts:19:21| for this purpose. {And was hindered} (\kai ek“luthˆn\). "But was hindered," adversative use of \kai\. {That I might have some fruit} (\hina tina karpon sch“\). Second aorist (ingressive), active of \ech“\, to have, and here means "might get (ingressive aorist) some fruit."

rwp@Romans:1:14 @On {debtor} (\opheiletˆs\) see strkjv@Galatians:5:3|. {Both to Greeks and to Barbarians} (\Hellˆsin te kai barbarois\). The whole human race from the Greek point of view, Jews coming under \barbarois\. On this word see strkjv@Acts:18:2,4; strkjv@1Corinthians:4:11; strkjv@Colossians:3:11| (only N.T. instances). The Greeks called all others barbarians and the Jews termed all others Gentiles. Did Paul consider the Romans as Greeks? They had absorbed the Greek language and culture.

rwp@Romans:1:15 @{Songs:as much as in me is I am ready} (\hout“ to kat' eme prothumon\). Literally, "Thus the according to me affair is ready" (\prothumos\, old adjective, \pro, thumos\). It is an awkward idiom like to \ex hum“n\ in strkjv@12:18|. The plural \ta kat' eme\ we find in strkjv@Phillipians:1:12; strkjv@Colossians:4:7; strkjv@Ephesians:6:21|.

rwp@Romans:1:16 @{It is the power of God} (\dunamis theou estin\). This Paul knew by much experience. He had seen the dynamite of God at work. {To the Jew first, and also to the Greek} (\Ioudai“i te pr“ton kai Hellˆni\). Jesus had taught this (John:4:22; strkjv@10:16; strkjv@Luke:24:47; strkjv@Acts:1:8|). The Jew is first in privilege and in penalty (Romans:2:9f.|). It is not certain that \pr“ton\ is genuine, but it is in strkjv@2:9f|.

rwp@Romans:1:17 @{For therein} (\gar en aut“i\). In the gospel (verse 16|) of which Paul is not ashamed. {A righteousness of God} (\dikaiosunˆ theou\). Subjective genitive, "a God kind of righteousness," one that each must have and can obtain in no other way save "from faith unto faith" (\ek piste“s eis pistin\), faith the starting point and faith the goal (Lightfoot). {Is revealed} (\apokaluptetai\). It is a revelation from God, this God kind of righteousness, that man unaided could never have conceived or still less attained. In these words we have Paul's statement in his own way of the theme of the Epistle, the content of the gospel as Paul understands it. Every word is important: \s“tˆrian\ (salvation), \euaggelion\ (gospel), \apokaluptetai\ (is revealed), \dikaiosunˆ theou\ (righteousness of God), \pistis\ (faith) and \pisteuonti\ (believing). He grounds his position on strkjv@Habbakkuk:2:4| (quoted also in strkjv@Galatians:3:11|). By "righteousness" we shall see that Paul means both "justification" and "sanctification." It is important to get a clear idea of Paul's use of \dikaiosunˆ\ here for it controls the thought throughout the Epistle. Jesus set up a higher standard of righteousness (\dikaiosunˆ\) in the Sermon on the Mount than the Scribes and Pharisees taught and practised (Matthew:5:20|) and proves it in various items. Here Paul claims that in the gospel, taught by Jesus and by himself there is revealed a God kind of righteousness with two ideas in it (the righteousness that God has and that he bestows). It is an old word for quality from \dikaios\, a righteous man, and that from \dikˆ\, right or justice (called a goddess in strkjv@Acts:28:4|), and that allied with \deiknumi\, to show, to point out. Other allied words are \dikaio“\, to declare or make \dikaios\ (Romans:3:24,26|), \dikai“ma\, that which is deemed \dikaios\ (sentence or ordinance as in strkjv@1:32; strkjv@2:26; strkjv@8:4|), \dikai“sis\, the act of declaring \dikaios\ (only twice in N.T., strkjv@4:25; strkjv@5:18|). \Dikaiosunˆ\ and \dikaio“\ are easy to render into English, though we use justice in distinction from righteousness and sanctification for the result that comes after justification (the setting one right with God). Paul is consistent and usually clear in his use of these great words.

rwp@Romans:1:18 @{For the wrath of God is revealed} (\apokaluptetai gar orgˆ theou\). Note in Romans Paul's use of \gar\, now argumentative, now explanatory, now both as here. There is a parallel and antecedent revelation (see verse 17|) of God's wrath corresponding to the revelation of God's righteousness, this an unwritten revelation, but plainly made known. \Orgˆ\ is from \orga“\, to teem, to swell. It is the temper of God towards sin, not rage, but the wrath of reason and law (Shedd). The revelation of God's righteousness in the gospel was necessary because of the failure of men to attain it without it, for God's wrath justly rested upon all both Gentiles (1:18-32|) and Jews (2:1-3:20|). {Ungodliness} (\asebeian\). Irreligion, want of reverence toward God, old word (cf. strkjv@2Timothy:2:16|). {Unrighteousness} (\adikian\). Lack (\a\ privative and \dikˆ\) of right conduct toward men, injustice (Romans:9:14; strkjv@Luke:18:6|). This follows naturally from irreverence. The basis of ethical conduct rests on the nature of God and our attitude toward him, otherwise the law of the jungle (cf. Nietzsche, "might makes right"). {Hold down the truth} (\tˆn alˆtheian katechont“n\). Truth (\alˆtheia, alˆthˆs\, from \a\ privative and \lˆth“\ or \lanthan“\, to conceal) is out in the open, but wicked men, so to speak, put it in a box and sit on the lid and "hold it down in unrighteousness." Their evil deeds conceal the open truth of God from men. Cf. strkjv@2Thessalonians:2:6f.| for this use of \katech“\, to hinder.

rwp@Romans:1:19 @{Because} (\dioti\). Gives the reason (\dia, hoti\ like our "for that") for the revelation of God's wrath. {That which may be known of God} (\to gn“ston tou theou\). Verbal adjective from \gin“sk“\, either "the known" as elsewhere in N.T. (Acts:1:19; strkjv@15:18|, etc.) or "the knowable" as usual in ancient Greek, that is "the knowledge" (\hˆ gn“sis\) of God. See strkjv@Phillipians:3:8|. Cf. same use of the verbal \chrˆston\ in strkjv@Romans:2:4|, \ametatheton\ in strkjv@Hebrews:6:17|. {Manifest in them} (\phaneron en autois\). In their hearts and consciences. {God manifested} (\ho theos ephaner“sen\). First aorist active indicative of \phanero“\. Not mere tautology. See strkjv@2:14-16|.

rwp@Romans:1:20 @{The invisible things of him} (\ta aorata autou\). Another verbal adjective (\a\ privative and \hora“\, to see), old word, either unseen or invisible as here and elsewhere in N.T. (Colossians:1:15f.|, etc.). The attributes of God's nature defined here as "his everlasting power and divinity" (\hˆ te aidios autou dunamis kai theiotˆs\). \Aidios\ is for \aeidios\ from \aei\ (always), old word, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Jude:1:6|, common in Philo (\z“ˆ aidios\), elsewhere \ai“nios\. \Theiotˆs\ is from \theios\ (from \theos\) quality of \theos\ and corresponds more to Latin _divinitas_ from _divus_, divine. In strkjv@Colossians:2:9| Paul uses \theotˆs\ (Latin _deitas_ from _deus_) {deity}, both old words and nowhere else in the N.T. \Theotˆs\ is Divine Personality, \theiotˆs\, Divine Nature and properties (Sanday and Headlam). {Since the creation of the world} (\apo ktise“s kosmou\). He means by God and unto God as antecedent to and superior to the world (cf. strkjv@Colossians:1:15f|. about Christ). {Are clearly seen} (\kathoratai\). Present passive indicative of \kathora“\ (perfective use of \kata-\), old word, only here in N.T., with direct reference to \aorata\. {Being perceived} (\nooumena\). Present passive participle of \noe“\, to use the \nous\ (intellect). {That they may be without excuse} (\eis to einai autous anapologˆtous\). More likely, "so that they are without excuse." The use of \eis to\ and the infinitive (with accusative of general reference) for result like \h“ste\ is reasonably clear in the N.T. (Moulton, _Prolegomena_, p. 219; Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1003). \Anapologˆtous\ is another verbal with \an\ from \apologeomai\. Old word, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Romans:2:1| ("inexcusable" here).

rwp@Romans:1:21 @{Because that} (\dioti\). As in verse 19|. {Knowing God} (\gnontes ton theon\). Second aorist active participle of \gin“sk“\, to know by personal experience. Definite statement that originally men had some knowledge of God. No people, however degraded, have yet been found without some yearning after a god, a seeking to find the true God and get back to him as Paul said in Athens (Acts:17:27|). {Glorified not as God} (\ouch h“s theon edoxasan\). They knew more than they did. This is the reason for the condemnation of the heathen (2:12-16|), the failure to do what they know. {Their senseless heart} (\hˆ asunetos aut“n kardia\). \Kardia\ is the most comprehensive term for all our faculties whether feeling (Romans:9:2|), will (1Corinthians:4:5|), intellect (Romans:10:6|). It may be the home of the Holy Spirit (Romans:5:5|) or of evil desires (1:24|). See strkjv@Mark:7:21f.| for list of vices that come "out of the heart." \Asunetos\ is a verbal adjective from \suniˆmi\, to put together, and \a\ privative, unintelligent, not able to put together the manifest evidence about God (verse 20|). Songs:darkness settled down on their hearts (\eskotisthˆ\, first aorist ingressive passive of \skotiz“\, to darken).

rwp@Romans:1:22 @{Professing themselves to be wise} (\phaskontes einai sophoi\). \Sophoi\ is predicate nominative with \einai\ in indirect discourse agreeing with \phaskontes\ (old verb, from \phˆmi\, to say, rare in N.T.) in case and number according to regular Greek idiom (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1038). {Became vain} (\ematai“thˆsan\). Ingressive first aorist passive indicative of \mataio“\ from \mataios\ (empty). Empty reasonings as often today. {Became fools} (\em“ranthˆsan\). Ingressive first aorist passive of \m“rain“\, to be a fool, old word from \m“ros\, a fool. An oxymoron or sharp saying, true and one that cuts to the bone. {For the likeness of an image} (\en homoi“mati eikonos\). Both words, "a likeness which consists in an image or copy" (Lightfoot). See strkjv@Phillipians:2:7| for "likeness of men" and strkjv@Colossians:1:15| for "image of God." Paul shows indignant contempt for these grotesque efforts to present pictures of a deity that had been lost (Denney). Why is it that heathen images of gods in the form of men and beasts are so horrible to look upon?

rwp@Romans:1:24 @{Wherefore} (\dio\). Paul's inexorable logic. See it also in verse 26| with the same verb and in verse 28| \kai\ like "and so." {God gave them up} (\pared“ken autous ho theos\). First aorist active indicative of \paradid“mi\, old and common verb to hand over (beside, \para\) to one's power as in strkjv@Matthew:4:12|. These people had already wilfully deserted God who merely left them to their own self-determination and self-destruction, part of the price of man's moral freedom. Paul refers to this stage and state of man in strkjv@Acts:17:30| by "overlooked" (\huperid“n\). The withdrawal of God's restraint sent men deeper down. Three times Paul uses \pared“ken\ here (verses 24,26,28|), not three stages in the giving over, but a repetition of the same withdrawal. The words sound to us like clods on the coffin as God leaves men to work their own wicked will. {That their bodies should be dishonoured} (\tou atimazesthai ta s“mata aut“n\). Contemplated result expressed by \tou\ (genitive article) and the passive infinitive \atimazesthai\ (from \atimos\, \a\ privative and \timos\, dishonoured) with the accusative of general reference. Christians had a new sense of dignity for the body (1Thessalonians:4:4; strkjv@1Corinthians:6:13|). Heathenism left its stamp on the bodies of men and women.

rwp@Romans:1:25 @{Exchanged} (\metˆllaxan\). First aorist active indicative of \metallass“\, old word for exchanging trade, only here and verse 26| in N.T. What a bargain they made, "the truth of God for (\en\) the (\t“i\) lie." "The price of mythology" (Bengel). {Worshipped} (\esebasthˆsan\). First aorist passive (used transitively) of \sebazomai\, old verb, used in late Greek like \sebomai\, to worship. {Rather than the Creator} (\para ton ktisanta\). Placed side by side (\para\, the Creator and the creature, \ktisis\) they preferred the creature. {Who is blessed forever. Amen} (\hos estin eulogˆtos. Amˆn\). One of Paul's doxologies which may come at any moment when he is greatly stirred, as in strkjv@9:5|. \Eulogˆtos\ is verbal of \euloge“\.

rwp@Romans:1:26 @{Unto vile passions} (\eis pathˆ atimias\). Unto passions of dishonour. \Pathos\, old word from \pasch“\, to experience, originally meant any feeling whether good or bad, but in N.T. always in bad sense as here, strkjv@1Thessalonians:4:5; strkjv@Colossians:3:5| (only N.T. examples). {That which is against nature} (\tˆn para phusin\). The degradation of sex is what Paul here notes as one of the results of heathenism (the loss of God in the life of man). They passed by the Creator.

rwp@Romans:1:27 @{Turned} (\exekauthˆsan\). First aorist passive indicative, causative aorist, of \ekkai“\, old verb, to burn out, to set on fire, to inflame with anger or lust. Here only in N.T. {Lust} (\orexei\). Only here in N.T. {Unseemliness} (\aschˆmosunˆn\). Old word from \aschˆmon\ (deformed). In N.T. only here and strkjv@Revelation:16:15|. {Recompense} (\antimisthian\). See on ¯2Corinthians:6:13| for only other N.T. instance of this late Pauline word, there in good sense, here in bad. {Which was due} (\hˆn edei\). Imperfect active for obligation still on them coming down from the past. This debt will be paid in full (\apolambanontes\, pay back as in strkjv@Luke:6:34|, and due as in strkjv@Luke:23:41|). Nature will attend to that in their own bodies and souls.

rwp@Romans:1:28 @{And even as they refused} (\kai kath“s ouk edokimasan\). "And even as they rejected" after trial just as \dokimaz“\ is used of testing coins. They tested God at first and turned aside from him. {Knowledge} (\epign“sei\). Full knowledge (\epi\ additional, \gn“sis\). They had a dim memory that was a caricature. {Unto a reprobate mind} (\eis adokimon noun\). Play on \ouk edokimasan\. They rejected God and God rejected their mental attitude and gave them over (verses 24,26,28|). See this adjective already in strkjv@1Corinthians:9:27; strkjv@2Corinthians:13:5-7|. Like an old abandoned building, the home of bats and snakes, left "to do those things which are not fitting" (\poiein ta mˆ kathˆkonta\), like the night clubs of modern cities, the dives and dens of the underworld, without God and in the darkness of unrestrained animal impulses. This was a technical term with Stoics (II Macc. strkjv@6:4).

rwp@Romans:1:29 @{Being called with} (\peplˆr“menous\). Perfect passive participle of the common verb \plˆro“\, state of completion, "filled to the brim with" four vices in the associative instrumental case (\adikiƒi\, unrighteousness as in verse 18|, \ponˆriƒi\, active wickedness as in strkjv@Mark:7:22|, \pleonexiƒi\, covetousness as in strkjv@1Thessalonians:2:5; strkjv@Luke:12:15|, \kakiƒi\, maliciousness or inward viciousness of disposition as in strkjv@1Corinthians:5:8|). Note asyndeton, no connective in the lists in verses 29-31|. Dramatic effect. The order of these words varies in the MSS. and \porneiƒi\, fornication, is not genuine here (absent in Aleph A B C). {Full of} (\mestous\). Paul changes from participle to adjective. Old adjective, rare in the N.T., like \mesto“\, to fill full (only in strkjv@Acts:2:13| in N.T.), stuffed full of (with genitive). Five substantives in the genitive (\phthonou\, envy, as in strkjv@Galatians:5:21|, \phonou\, murder, and so a paronomasia or combination with \phthonou\, of like sounding words, \eridos\, strife, as in strkjv@2Corinthians:12:16|, \kakoˆthias\, malignity, and here only in N.T. though old word from \kakoˆthˆs\ and that from \kakos\ and \ˆthos\, a tendency to put a bad construction on things, depravity of heart and malicious disposition.

rwp@Romans:1:30 @Paul changes the construction again to twelve substantives and adjectives that give vivid touches to this composite photograph of the God abandoned soul. {Whisperers} (\psithuristas\). Old word from \psithuriz“\, to speak into the ear, to speak secretly, an onomatopoetic word like \psithurismos\ (2Corinthians:12:20|) and only here in N.T. {Backbiters} (\katalalous\). Found nowhere else except in Hermas, compound like \katalale“\, to talk back (James:4:11|), and \katalalia\, talking back (2Corinthians:12:20|), talkers back whether secretly or openly. {Hateful to God} (\theostugeis\). Old word from \theos\ and \stuge“\. All the ancient examples take it in the passive sense and so probably here. Songs:\stugˆtos\ (Titus:3:13|). Vulgate has _deo odibiles_. {Insolent} (\hubristas\). Old word for agent from \hubriz“\, to give insult to, here alone in N.T. save strkjv@1Timothy:1:13|. {Haughty} (\huperˆphanous\). From \huper\ and \phainomai\, to appear above others, arrogant in thought and conduct, "stuck up." {Boastful} (\alazonas\). From \alˆ\, wandering. Empty pretenders, swaggerers, braggarts. {Inventors of evil things} (\epheuretas kak“n\). Inventors of new forms of vice as Nero was. Tacitus (_Ann_. IV. ii) describes Sejanus as _facinorum omnium repertor_ and Virgil (_Aen_. ii. 163) _scelerum inventor_. {Disobedient to parents} (\goneusin apeitheis\). Cf. strkjv@1Timothy:1:9; strkjv@2Timothy:3:2|. An ancient and a modern trait.

rwp@Romans:1:31 @{Without understanding} (\asunetous\). Same word in verse 21|. {Covenant-breakers} (\asunthetous\). Another paronomasia or pun. \A\ privative and verbal \sunthetos\ from \suntithˆmi\, to put together. Old word, common in LXX (Jeremiah:3:7|), men "false to their engagements" (Sanday and Headlam), who treat covenants as "a scrap of paper." {Without natural affection} (\astorgous\). Late word, \a\ privative and \storgˆ\, love of kindred. In N.T. only here and strkjv@2Timothy:3:3|. {Unmerciful} (\aneleˆmonas\). From \a\ privative and \eleˆm“n\, merciful. Late word, only here in N.T. Some MSS. add \aspondous\, implacable, from strkjv@2Timothy:3:3|. It is a terrible picture of the effects of sin on the lives of men and women. The late Dr. R. H. Graves of Canton, China, said that a Chinaman who got hold of this chapter declared that Paul could not have written it, but only a modern missionary who had been to China. It is drawn to the life because Paul knew Pagan Graeco-Roman civilization.

rwp@Romans:1:32 @{The ordinance of God} (\to dikai“ma tou theou\). The heathen knows that God condemns such evil practices. {But also consent with them} (\alla kai suneudokousin\). Late verb for hearty approval as in strkjv@Luke:11:48; strkjv@Acts:8:1; strkjv@1Corinthians:7:12|. It is a tragedy of American city government that so many of the officials are proven to be hand in glove with the underworld of law-breakers.

rwp@Romans:2:1 @{Wherefore} (\dio\). See strkjv@1:24,26| for this relative conjunction, "because of which thing." {Without excuse} (\anapologˆtos\). See on ¯1:21|. {Whosoever thou art that judgest} (\pas ho krin“n\). Literally, "every one that judgest," vocative case in apposition with \anthr“pe\. Paul begins his discussion of the failure of the Jew to attain to the God-kind of righteousness (2:1-3:20|) with a general statement applicable to all as he did (1:18|) in the discussion of the failure of the Gentiles (Lightfoot). The Gentile is readily condemned by the Jew when he sins and equally so is the Jew condemned by the Gentile in like case. \Krin“\ does not of itself mean to condemn, but to pick out, separate, approve, determine, pronounce judgment, condemn (if proper). {Another} (\ton heteron\). Literally, "the other man." The notion of two in the word, one criticizing the other. {Thou condemnest thyself} (\seauton katakrineis\). Note \kata\ here with \krin“\, to make plain the adverse judgment. {For} (\gar\). Explanatory reason for the preceding statement. The critic {practises} (\prasseis\, not single acts \poie“\, but the habit \prass“\) the same things that he condemns.

rwp@Romans:2:2 @{Judgment} (\krima\). Decision rendered whether good or bad. {According to} (\kata\ with accusative). As the rule of measure. Cf. strkjv@John:7:24|.

rwp@Romans:2:3 @{And doest the same} (\kai poi“n auta\). "And doest them occasionally." {That thou shalt escape} (\su ekpheuxˆi\). Emphasis on \su\, "thou conceited Jew expecting to escape God's \krima\ because thou art a Jew." Cf. strkjv@Matthew:3:8f|. Paul justifies the bitter words of the Baptist to the Pharisees and Sadducees. The future middle of the old verb \ekpheug“\ (cf. strkjv@1Thessalonians:5:3|). The Jew posed as immune to the ordinary laws of ethics because a Jew. Alas, some Christians affect the same immunity.

rwp@Romans:2:4 @{Or despiseth thou?} (\ˆ kataphroneis?\). Another alternative, that of scorn of God's kindness (\chrˆstotˆtos\, strkjv@2Corinthians:6:6|) and forbearance (\anochˆs\, old word, holding back from \anech“\, only here in N.T.) and longsuffering (\makrothumias\, late word for which see strkjv@2Corinthians:6:4,6|). \Kataphrone“\ is old verb to think down on (\kata, phrone“\) as in strkjv@Matthew:6:24; strkjv@1Corinthians:11:22|. This upstart Jew actually thinks down on God. And then "the riches" (\tou ploutou\) of all that comes from God. {Leadeth thee to repentance} (\eis metanoian se agei\). The very kindness (\to chrˆston\, the kindly quality) of God is trying to lead (conative present \agei\) thee to a right-about face, a change of mind and attitude (\metanoian\) instead of a complacent self-satisfaction and pride of race and privilege.

rwp@Romans:2:5 @{After thy hardness} (\kata tˆn sklˆrotˆta sou\). "According to thy hardness (old word from \sklˆros\, hard, stiff, only here in N.T.) will God's judgment be." {And impenitent heart} (\kai ametanoˆton kardian\). See \metanoian\ just before. "Thy unreconstructed heart," "with no change in the attitude of thy heart." {Treasurest up for thyself} (\thˆsaurizeis seaut“i\). See for \thˆsauriz“\ on strkjv@Matthew:6:19f.; strkjv@Luke:12:21; strkjv@2Corinthians:12:14|. Dative case \seaut“i\ (for thyself) with a touch of irony (Vincent). {Wrath} (\orgˆn\). For such a Jew as already stated for the Gentile (1:18|). There is a revelation (\apokalupse“s\) of God's wrath for both in the day of wrath and righteous judgment (\dikaiokrisias\, a late compound word, in LXX, two examples in the Oxyrhynchus papyri, only here in N.T.). See strkjv@2Thessalonians:1:5| for \dikaias krise“s\. Paul looks to the judgment day as certain (cf. strkjv@2Corinthians:5:10-12|), the day of the Lord (2Corinthians:1:14|).

rwp@Romans:2:6 @{Who will render} (\hos apod“sei\). Paul quotes strkjv@Proverbs:24:12| as in strkjv@2Timothy:4:14|. See also strkjv@Matthew:16:27; strkjv@Revelation:22:12|. The rendering will be in accord with the facts.

rwp@Romans:2:7 @{To them that seek} (\tois men--zˆtousin\). Dative plural of the articular present active participle of \zˆte“\ with \men\ on the one hand. {Eternal life} (\z“ˆn ai“nion\). Accusative case object of \apod“sei\ above.

rwp@Romans:2:8 @{But unto them that are factious and obey not the truth but obey unrighteousness} (\tois de ex eritheias kai apeithousin tˆi alˆtheiƒi peithomenois de adikiƒi\). The other side with \de\ and the articular present participles in the dative again, only with \ex eritheias\, there is no participle \ousin\. But the construction changes and the substantives that follow are not the object of \apod“sei\ like \z“ˆn ain“nion\ above, but are in the nominative as if with \esontai\ (shall be) understood (anger and wrath, both \orgˆ\ and \thumos\, tribulation and anguish, again a pair \thlipsis kai stenoch“ria\ on which see strkjv@2Corinthians:5:4; strkjv@12:10|).

rwp@Romans:2:9 @{Every soul of man} (\pasan psuchˆn anthr“pou\). See strkjv@13:1| for this use of \psuchˆ\ for the individual. {Of the Jew first and also of the Greek} (\Ioudaiou te pr“ton kai Hellˆnos\). See on ¯1:16|. First not only in penalty as here, but in privilege also as in strkjv@2:11; strkjv@1:16|.

rwp@Romans:2:11 @{Respect of persons} (\pros“polˆmpsia\). Milligan (_Vocabulary_) considers this word (in N.T. only here, strkjv@Colossians:3:25; strkjv@Ephesians:6:9|) and \pros“polˆmptˆs\ (Acts:10:34|) and \pros“polˆmpte“\ (James:2:9|) the earliest definitely known Christian words, not in LXX or non-Christian writings. See on ¯Acts:10:34| for the formation in imitation of the Hebrew to take note of the face (\pros“pon, lamban“\), to judge by the face or appearance.

rwp@Romans:2:12 @{Have sinned} (\hˆmarton\). Constative aorist active indicative, "sinned," a timeless aorist. {Without law} (\anom“s\). Old adverb "contrary to law," "unjustly," but here in ignorance of the Mosaic law (or of any law). Nowhere else in N.T. {Shall also perish without law} (\anom“s kai apolountai\). Future middle indicative of \apollumi\, to destroy. This is a very important statement. The heathen who sin are lost, because they do not keep the law which they have, not because they do not have the Mosaic law or Christianity. {Under law} (\en nom“i\). In the sphere of the Mosaic law. {By the law} (\dia nomou\). The Jew has to stand or fall by the Mosaic law.

rwp@Romans:2:13 @{Not the hearers--but the doers} (\ou gar hoi akroatai--all' hoi poiˆtai\). The law was read in the synagogue, but there was no actual virtue in listening. The virtue is in doing. See a like contrast by James between "hearers" and "doers" of the gospel (James:1:22-25|). {Before God} (\para t“i the“i\). By God's side, as God looks at it. {Shall be justified} (\dikai“thˆsontai\). Future passive indicative of \dikaio“\, to declare righteous, to set right. "Shall be declared righteous." Like strkjv@James:1:22-25|.

rwp@Romans:2:14 @{That have no law} (\ta mˆ nomon echonta\). Better, "that have not the law" (the Mosaic law). {By nature} (\phusei\). Instrumental case of \phusis\, old word from \phu“\, to beget. The Gentiles are without the Mosaic law, but not without some knowledge of God in conscience and when they do right "they are a law to themselves" (\heautois eisin nomos\). This is an obvious reply to the Jewish critic.

rwp@Romans:2:15 @{In that they} (\hoitines\). "The very ones who," qualitative relative. {Written in their hearts} (\grapton en tais kardiais aut“n\). Verbal adjective of \graph“\, to write. When their conduct corresponds on any point with the Mosaic law they practise the unwritten law in their hearts. {Their conscience bearing witness therewith} (\sunmarturousˆs aut“n tˆs suneidˆse“s\). On conscience (\suneidˆsis\) see on ¯1Corinthians:8:7; strkjv@10:25f.; strkjv@2Corinthians:1:12|. Genitive absolute here with present active participle \sunmarturousˆs\ as in strkjv@9:1|. The word \suneidˆsis\ means co-knowledge by the side of the original consciousness of the act. This second knowledge is personified as confronting the first (Sanday and Headlam). The Stoics used the word a great deal and Paul has it twenty times. It is not in the O.T., but first in this sense in Wisdom strkjv@17:10. All men have this faculty of passing judgment on their actions. It can be over-scrupulous (1Corinthians:10:25|) or "seared" by abuse (1Timothy:4:12|). It acts according to the light it has. {Their thoughts one with another accusing or also excusing them} (\metaxu allˆl“n t“n logism“n katˆgorount“n ˆ kai apologoumen“n\). Genitive absolute again showing the alternative action of the conscience, now accusing, now excusing. Paul does not say that a heathen's conscience always commends everything that he thinks, says, or does. In order for one to be set right with God by his own life he must always act in accord with his conscience and never have its disapproval. That, of course, is impossible else Christ died for naught (Galatians:2:21|). Jesus alone lived a sinless life. For one to be saved without Christ he must also live a sinless life.

rwp@Romans:2:16 @{According to my gospel} (\kata to euaggelion mou\). What Paul preaches (1Corinthians:15:1|) and which is the true gospel

rwp@Romans:2:17 @{Bearest the name} (\eponomazˆi\). Present passive indicative in condition of first class of \eponomaz“\, old word, to put a name upon (\epi\), only here in N.T. "Thou art surnamed Jew" (Lightfoot). Jew as opposed to Greek denoted nationality while Hebrew accented the idea of language. {Restest upon the law} (\epanapauˆi nom“i\). Late and rare double compound, in LXX and once in the Didache. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Luke:10:6| which see. It means to lean upon, to refresh oneself back upon anything, here with locative case (\nom“i\). It is the picture of blind and mechanical reliance on the Mosaic law. {Gloriest in God} (\kauchƒsai en the“i\). _Koin‚_ vernacular form for \kauchƒi\ (\kauchaesai, kauchƒsai\) of \kauchaomai\ as in verse 23; strkjv@1Corinthians:4:7| and \katakauchƒsai\ in strkjv@Romans:11:18|. The Jew gloried in God as a national asset and private prerogative (2Corinthians:10:15; strkjv@Galatians:6:13|). {Approvest the things that are excellent} (\dokimazeis ta diapheronta\). Originally, "Thou testest the things that differ," and then as a result comes the approval for the excellent things. As in strkjv@Phillipians:1:10| it is difficult to tell which stage of the process Paul has in mind. {Instructed out of the law} (\katˆchoumenos ek tou nomou\). Present passive participle of \katˆche“\, a rare verb to instruct, though occurring in the papyri for legal instruction. See on ¯Luke:1:4; strkjv@1Corinthians:14:19|. The Jew's "ethical discernment was the fruit of catechetical and synagogical instruction in the Old Testament" (Shedd).

rwp@Romans:2:19 @{A guide of the blind} (\hodˆgon tuphl“n\). Accusative \hodˆgon\ in predicate with \einai\ to agree with \seauton\, accusative of general reference with infinitive \einai\ in indirect discourse after \pepoithas\. Late word (Polybius, Plutarch) from \hodos\, way, and \hˆgeomai\, to lead, one who leads the way. \Tuphl“n\ is objective genitive plural. The Jews were meant by God to be guides for the Gentiles, for salvation is of the Jews (John:4:22|). {A light} (\ph“s\). "A light for those in darkness" (\t“n en skotei\, objective genitive again). But this intention of God about the Jews had resulted in conceited arrogance on their part.

rwp@Romans:2:20 @{A corrector of the foolish} (\paideutˆn aphron“n\). Old word (from \paideu“\) for instructor, in Plato, and probably so here, though corrector or chastiser in strkjv@Hebrews:12:9| (the only N.T. instances). See strkjv@Luke:23:16|. Late inscriptions give it as instructor (Preisigke). \Aphron“n\ is a hard word for Gentiles, but it is the Jewish standpoint that Paul gives. Each termed the other "dogs." {Of babes} (\nˆpi“n\). Novitiates or proselytes to Judaism just as in strkjv@Galatians:4:1|. Paul used it of those not of legal age. {The form} (\tˆn morph“sin\). Rare word only in Theophrastus and Paul (here and strkjv@2Timothy:3:5|). Pallis regards it as a Stoical term for education. Lightfoot considers the \morph“sis\ as "the rough-sketch, the pencilling of the \morphˆ\," the outline or framework, and in strkjv@2Timothy:3:5| "the outline without the substance." This is Paul's picture of the Jew as he sees himself drawn with consummate skill and subtle irony.

rwp@Romans:2:21 @{Thou therefore that teachest another} (\ho oun didask“n heteron\). Paul suddenly breaks off (anacoluthon) the long sentence that began in verse 17| and starts over again with a phrase that gathers it all up in small compass (teachest) and drives it home (therefore) on the Jew (thyself). {Not to steal} (\mˆ kleptein\). Infinitive with \mˆ\ in indirect command (indirect discourse) after \keruss“n\. {Dost thou steal?} (\klepteis?\). The preaching (\keruss“n\) was fine, but the practice? A home-thrust. {Should not commit adultery} (\mˆ moicheuein\). Infinitive in direct command again after \leg“n\. "The Talmud charges the crime of adultery upon the three most illustrious Rabbins" (Vincent).

rwp@Romans:2:22 @{That abhorrest} (\ho bdelussomenos\). Old word to make foul, to stink, to have abhorrence for. In LXX, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Revelation:21:8|. The very word used by Jesus to express their horror of idols (\eid“la\, see on ¯Acts:7:41; strkjv@1Corinthians:12:2|). See strkjv@Matthew:24:15| for "abomination." {Dost thou rob temples?} (\hierosuleis?\). Old verb from \hierosulos\ (Acts:19:37|) and that from \hieron\, temple, and \sula“\, to rob. The town clerk (Acts:19:37|) said that these Jews (Paul and his companions) were "not robbers of temples," proof that the charge was sometimes made against Jews, though expressly forbidden the Jews (Josephus, _Ant_. IV. 8, 10). Paul refers to the crime of robbing idol temples in spite of the defilement of contact with idolatry.

rwp@Romans:2:23 @{Through thy transgression of the law} (\dia tˆs parabase“s tou nomou\). Old word for stepping across a line. Trench calls attention to "the mournfully numerous group of words" for the varieties of sin like \agnoˆma\, ignorance, \anomia\, violation of law, \hamartia\, missing the mark, \hettˆma\, falling short, \parabasis\, passing over the line, \parakoˆ\, disobedience to a voice, \paranomia\, putting the law aside, \parapt“ma\, falling down, \plˆmmeleia\, discord.

rwp@Romans:2:24 @{Because of you} (\di' humas\). Free quotation from the LXX of strkjv@Isaiah:52:5|. The Jews were jealous for the Name of God and would not pronounce the Tetragrammaton and yet acted so that the Gentiles blasphemed that Name.

rwp@Romans:2:25 @{If thou be a doer of the law} (\ean nomon prasseis\). Condition of third class and the present (continued action) subjunctive of \prass“\, a verb meaning to do as a habit. {Is become uncircumcision} (\akrobustia gegonen\). The Jew is then like the Gentile, with no privilege at all. Circumcision was simply the seal of the covenant relation of Israel with God.

rwp@Romans:2:26 @{Keep} (\phulassˆi\). Present subjunctive with \ean\, condition of third class, mere supposition like that in verse 25|, "keep on keeping" perfectly, Paul means. {For} (\eis\). As often in N.T.

rwp@Romans:2:27 @{If it fulfill the law} (\ton nomon telousa\). Present active participle (conditional use of the participle) of \tele“\, to finish, continually fulfilling to the end (as would be necessary). {Judge thee} (\krinei--se\). Unusual position of \se\ (thee) so far from the verb \krinei\. {With the letter and circumcision} (\dia grammatos kai peritomˆs\). \Dia\ means here accompanied by, with the advantage of.

rwp@Romans:2:28 @{Which is one outwardly} (\ho en t“i phaner“i\). \Ioudaios\ (Jew) has to be repeated (ellipse) with the article, "the in the open Jew" (circumcision, phylacteries, tithes, etc.). Likewise repeat \peritomˆ\ (circumcision).

rwp@Romans:2:29 @{Who is one inwardly} (\ho en t“i krupt“i\). Repeat \Ioudaios\ (Jew) here also, "the in the inward part Jew" (circumcision of the heart \peritomˆ kardias\ and not a mere surgical operation as in strkjv@Colossians:2:11|, in the spirit \en pneumati\, with which compare strkjv@2Corinthians:3:3,6|). This inward or inside Jew who lives up to his covenant relation with God is the high standard that Paul puts before the merely professional Jew described above. {Whose praise} (\hou ho epainos\). The antecedent of the relative \hou\ is \Ioudaios\ (Jew). Probably (Gifford) a reference to the etymology of Judah (praise) as seen in strkjv@Galatians:49:8|.

rwp@Romans:3:1 @{What advantage then hath the Jew?} (\ti oun to perisson tou Ioudaiou?\). Literally, "What then is the overplus of the Jew?" What does the Jew have over and above the Gentile? It is a pertinent question after the stinging indictment of the Jew in chapter 2. {The profit} (\hˆ “phelia\). The help. Old word, only here in N.T. See strkjv@Mark:8:36| for \“phelei\, the verb to profit.

rwp@Romans:3:2 @{Much every way} (\polu kata panta\). \Polu\ points back to \to perisson\. Songs:it means the overplus of the Jew is much from every angle. {First of all} (\pr“ton men\). As in strkjv@1:8; strkjv@1Corinthians:11:18| Paul does not add to his "first." He singles out one privilege of the many possessed by the Jew. {They were intrusted with} (\episteuthˆsan\). First aorist passive indicative of \pisteu“\, to intrust, with accusative of the thing and dative of the person in the active. In the passive as here the accusative of the thing is retained as in strkjv@1Thessalonians:2:4|. {The oracles of God} (\ta logia tou theou\). In the accusative case, therefore, the object of \episteuthˆsan\. \Logion\ is probably a diminutive of \logos\, word, though the adjective \logios\ also occurs (Acts:18:24|). The word was early used for "oracles" from Delphi and is common in the LXX for the oracles of the Lord. But from Philo on it was used of any sacred writing including narrative. It occurs four times in the N.T. (Acts:7:38|, which see; strkjv@Romans:3:2; strkjv@Hebrews:5:12; strkjv@1Peter:4:11|). It is possible that here and in strkjv@Acts:7:38| the idea may include all the Old Testament, though the commands and promises of God may be all.

rwp@Romans:3:3 @{For what if?} (\ti gar ei?\). But Westcott and Hort print it, \Ti gar? ei\. See strkjv@Phillipians:1:18| for this exclamatory use of \ti gar\ (for how? How stands the case?). {Some were without faith} (\ˆpistˆsan\). First aorist active indicative of \apiste“\, old verb, to disbelieve. This is the common N.T. meaning (Luke:24:11,41; strkjv@Acts:28:24; strkjv@Romans:4:20|). Some of them "disbelieved," these "depositaries and guardians of revelation" (Denney). But the word also means to be unfaithful to one's trust and Lightfoot argues for that idea here and in strkjv@2Timothy:2:13|. The Revised Version renders it "faithless" there. Either makes sense here and both ideas are true of some of the Jews, especially concerning the Messianic promises and Jesus. {The faithfulness of God} (\tˆn pistin tou theou\). Undoubtedly \pistis\ has this sense here and not "faith." God has been faithful (2Timothy:2:13|) whether the Jews (some of them) were simply disbelievers or untrue to their trust. Paul can use the words in two senses in verse 3|, but there is no real objection to taking \ˆpistˆsan, apistian, pistin\, all to refer to faithfulness rather than just faith.

rwp@Romans:3:4 @{Let God be found true} (\ginesth“ ho theos alˆthˆs\). "Let God continue to be true" (present middle imperative). {But every man a liar} (\pƒs de anthr“pos pseustˆs\). The contrast in \de\ really means, "though every man be found a liar." Cf. strkjv@Psalms:116:12|. {As it is written} (\kath“s gegraptai\). strkjv@Psalms:51:6|. {That thou mightest be justified} (\hop“s an dikai“thˆis\). \Hop“s\ rather than the common \hina\ for purpose and \an\ with the first aorist passive subjunctive of \dikaio“\. Used of God this verb here has to mean "declared righteous," not "made righteous." {Mightest prevail} (\nikˆseis\). Future active indicative with \hop“s\ of \nika“\, to win a victory, though B L have \nikˆsˆis\ (first aorist active subjunctive, the usual construction). {When thou comest into judgement} (\en t“i krinesthai se\). "In the being judged as to thee" (present passive infinitive or, if taken as middle, "in the entering upon trial as to thee"). Common construction in the LXX from the Hebrew infinitive construct.

rwp@Romans:3:5 @{What shall we say?} (\ti eroumen?\). Rhetorical question, common with Paul as he surveys the argument. {Commendeth} (\sunistˆsin\). This common verb \sunistˆmi\, to send together, occurs in the N.T. in two senses, either to introduce, to commend (2Corinthians:3:1; strkjv@4:2|) or to prove, to establish (2Corinthians:7:11; strkjv@Galatians:2:18; strkjv@Romans:5:8|). Either makes good sense here. {Who visiteth the wrath} (\ho epipher“n tˆn orgˆn\). "Who brings on the wrath," "the inflicter of the anger" (Vaughan). {I speak as a man} (\kata anthr“pon\). See strkjv@Galatians:3:15| for same phrase. As if to say, "pardon me for this line of argument." Tholuck says that the rabbis often used \kata anthr“pon\ and \ti eroumen\. Paul had not forgotten his rabbinical training.

rwp@Romans:3:6 @{For then how} (\epei p“s\). There is a suppressed condition between \epei\ and \p“s\, an idiom occurring several times in the N.T. (1Corinthians:15:29; strkjv@Romans:11:6,22|). "Since, if that were true, how."

rwp@Romans:3:7 @{Through my lie} (\en t“i em“i pseusmati\). ] Old word from \pseudomai\, to lie, only here in N.T. Paul returns to the imaginary objection in verse 5|. The MSS. differ sharply here between \ei de\ (but if) and \ei gar\ (for if). Paul "uses the first person from motives of delicacy" (Sanday and Headlam) in this supposable case for argument's sake as in strkjv@1Corinthians:4:6|. Songs:here he "transfers by a fiction" (Field) to himself the objection.

rwp@Romans:3:8 @{And why not} (\kai mˆ\). We have a tangled sentence which can be cleared up in two ways. One is (Lightfoot) to supply \genˆtai\ after \mˆ\ and repeat \ti\ (\kai ti mˆ genˆtai\, deliberative subjunctive in a question): And why should it not happen? The other way (Sanday and Headlam) is to take \mˆ\ with \poiˆs“men\ and make a long parenthesis of all in between. Even so it is confusing because \hoti\ also (recitative \hoti\) comes just before \poiˆs“men\. The parenthesis is necessary anyhow, for there are two lines of thought, one the excuse brought forward by the unbeliever, the other the accusation that Paul affirms that very excuse that we may do evil that good may come. Note the double indirect assertion (the accusative and the infinitive \hˆmƒs legein\ after \phasin\ and then the direct quotation with recitative \hoti\ after \legein\, a direct quotation dependent on the infinitive in indirect quotation. {Let us do evil that good may come} (\poiˆs“men ta kaka hina elthˆi ta agatha\). The volitive aorist subjunctive (\poiˆs“men\) and the clause of purpose (\hina\ and the aorist subjunctive \elthˆi\). It sounds almost uncanny to find this maxim of the Jesuits attributed to Paul in the first century by Jews. It was undoubtedly the accusation of Antinomianism because Paul preached justification by faith and not by works.

rwp@Romans:3:9 @{What then?} (\ti oun?\). Paul's frequent query, to be taken with verses 1,2|. {Are we in worse case than they?} (\proechometha?\). The American Revisers render it: "Are we in better case than they?" There is still no fresh light on this difficult and common word though it occurs alone in the N.T. In the active it means to have before, to excel. But here it is either middle or passive. Thayer takes it to be middle and to mean to excel to one's advantage and argues that the context demands this. But no example of the middle in this sense has been found. If it is taken as passive, Lightfoot takes it to mean, "Are we excelled" and finds that sense in Plutarch. Vaughan takes it as passive but meaning, "Are we preferred?" This suits the context, but no other example has been found. Songs:the point remains unsettled. The papyri throw no light on it. {No, in no wise} (\ou pant“s\). "Not at all." See strkjv@1Corinthians:5:10|. {We before laid to the charge} (\proˆitiasametha\). First aorist middle indicative of \proaitiaomai\, to make a prior accusation, a word not yet found anywhere else. Paul refers to strkjv@1:18-32| for the Greeks and strkjv@2:1-29| for the Jews. The infinitive \einai\ with the accusative \pantas\ is in indirect discourse. {Under sin} (\hupo hamartian\). See strkjv@Galatians:3:22; strkjv@Romans:7:14|.

rwp@Romans:3:10 @{As it is written} (\kath“s gegraptai hoti\). Usual formula of quotation as in verse 4| with recitative \hoti\ added as in verse 8|. Paul here uses a catena or chain of quotations to prove his point in verse 9| that Jews are in no better fix than the Greeks for all are under sin. Dr. J. Rendel Harris has shown that the Jews and early Christians had _Testimonia_ (quotations from the Old Testament) strung together for certain purposes as proof-texts. Paul may have used one of them or he may have put these passages together himself. Verses 10-12| come from strkjv@Psalms:14:1-3|; first half of 13| as far as \edoliousan\ from strkjv@Psalms:4:9|, the second half from strkjv@Psalms:140:3|; verse 14| from strkjv@Psalms:10:7|; 15-17| from an abridgment of strkjv@Isaiah:59:7f.|; verse 18| from strkjv@Psalms:35:1|. Paul has given compounded quotations elsewhere (2Corinthians:6:16; strkjv@Romans:9:25f.,27f; strkjv@11:26f.,34f.; strkjv@12:19f.|). Curiously enough this compounded quotation was imported bodily into the text (LXX) of strkjv@Psalms:14| after verse 4 in Aleph B, etc. {There is none righteous, no, not one} (\ouk estin dikaios oude heis\). "There is not a righteous man, not even one." This sentence is like a motto for all the rest, a summary for what follows.

rwp@Romans:3:11 @{That understandeth} (\suni“n\). Present active participle of \suni“\, late omega form of \-mi\ verb \suniˆmi\, to send together, to grasp, to comprehend. Some MSS. have the article \ho\ before it as before \ekzˆt“n\ (seeking out).

rwp@Romans:3:12 @{They are together become unprofitable} (\hama ˆchre“thˆsan\). First aorist passive indicative of \achreo“\. Late word in Polybius and Cilician inscription of first century A.D. Some MSS. read \ˆchrei“thˆsan\ from \achreios\, useless (\a\ privative and \chreios\, useful) as in strkjv@Luke:17:10; strkjv@Matthew:25:30|, but Westcott and Hort print as above from the rarer spelling \achreos\. Only here in N.T. The Hebrew word means to go bad, become sour like milk (Lightfoot). {No, not so much as one} (\ouk estin he“s henos\). "There is not up to one."

rwp@Romans:3:13 @{Throat} (\larugx\). Old word, larynx. {Open sepulchre} (\taphos ane“igmenos\). Perfect passive participle of \anoig“\, "an opened grave." Their mouth (words) like the odour of a newly opened grave. "Some portions of Greek and Roman literature stink like a newly opened grave" (Shedd). {They have used deceit} (\edoliousan\). Imperfect (not perfect or aorist as the English implies) active of \dolio“\, only in LXX and here in the N.T. from the common adjective \dolios\, deceitful (2Corinthians:11:13|). The regular form would be \edolioun\. The \-osan\ ending for third plural in imperfect and aorist was once thought to be purely Alexandrian because so common in the LXX, but it is common in the Boeotian and Aeolic dialects and occurs in \eichosan\ in the N.T. (John:15:22,24|). "They smoothed their tongues" in the Hebrew. {Poison} (\ios\). Old word both for rust (James:5:3|) and poison (James:3:8|). {Of asps} (\aspid“n\). Common word for round bowl, shield, then the Egyptian cobra (a deadly serpent). Often in LXX. Only here in the N.T. The poison of the asp lies in a bag under the lips (\cheilˆ\), often in LXX, only here in N.T. Genitive case after \gemei\ (is full).

rwp@Romans:3:15 @{To shed} (\ekcheai\). First aorist active infinitive of \ekche“\, to pour out, old verb with aorist active \exechea\.

rwp@Romans:3:16 @{Destruction} (\suntrimma\). Rare word from \suntrib“\, to rub together, to crush. In strkjv@Leviticus:21:19| for fracture and so in papyri. Only here in N.T. {Misery} (\talaip“ria\). Common word from \talaip“ros\ (Romans:7:24|), only here in the N.T.

rwp@Romans:3:17 @{The way of peace} (\hodon eirˆnˆs\). Wherever they go they leave a trail of woe and destruction (Denney).

rwp@Romans:3:18 @{Before} (\apenanti\). Late double compound (\apo, en, anti\) adverbial preposition in LXX and Polybius, papyri and inscriptions. With genitive as here.

rwp@Romans:3:19 @{That every mouth may be stopped} (\hina pƒn stoma phragˆi\). Purpose clause with \hina\ and second aorist passive subjunctive of \phrass“\, old verb to fence in, to block up. See strkjv@2Corinthians:11:10|. Stopping mouths is a difficult business. See strkjv@Titus:1:11| where Paul uses \epistomizein\ (to stop up the mouth) for the same idea. Paul seems here to be speaking directly to Jews (\tois en t“i nom“i\), the hardest to convince. With the previous proof on that point he covers the whole ground for he made the case against the Gentiles in strkjv@1:18-32|. {May be brought under the judgement of God} (\hupodikos genˆtai t“i the“i\). "That all the world (Jew as well as Gentile) may become (\genˆtai\) answerable (\hupodikos\, old forensic word, here only in N.T.) to God (dative case \t“i the“i\)." Every one is "liable to God," in God's court.

rwp@Romans:3:20 @{Because} (\dioti\, again, \dia, hoti\). {By the works of the law} (\ex erg“n nomou\). "Out of works of law." Mosaic law and any law as the source of being set right with God. Paul quotes strkjv@Psalms:43:2| as he did in strkjv@Galatians:2:16| to prove his point. {The knowledge of sin} (\epign“sis hamartias\). The effect of law universally is rebellion to it (1Corinthians:15:56|). Paul has shown this carefully in strkjv@Galatians:3:19-22|. Cf. strkjv@Hebrews:10:3|. He has now proven the guilt of both Gentile and Jew.

rwp@Romans:3:21 @{But now apart from the law} (\nuni de ch“ris nomou\). He now (\nuni\ emphatic logical transition) proceeds carefully in verses 21-31| the {nature} of the God-kind of righteousness which stands manifested (\dikaiosunˆ theou pephaner“tai\, perfect passive indicative of \phanero“\, to make manifest), the {necessity} of which he has shown in strkjv@1:18-3:20|. This God kind of righteousness is "apart from law" of any kind and all of grace (\chariti\) as he will show in verse 24|. But it is not a new discovery on the part of Paul, but "witnessed by the law and the prophets" (\marturoumenˆ\, present passive participle, \hupo tou nomou kai t“n prophˆt“n\), made plain continuously by God himself.

rwp@Romans:3:22 @{Even} (\de\). Not adversative here. It defines here. {Through faith in Jesus Christ} (\dia piste“s [Iˆsou] Christou\). Intermediate agency (\dia\) is faith and objective genitive, "in Jesus Christ," not subjective "of Jesus Christ," in spite of Haussleiter's contention for that idea. The objective nature of faith in Christ is shown in strkjv@Galatians:2:16| by the addition \eis Christon Iˆsoun episteusamen\ (we believed in Christ), by \tˆs eis Christon piste“s hum“n\ (of your faith in Christ) in strkjv@Colossians:2:5|, by \en pistei tˆi en Christ“i Iˆsou\ (in faith that in Christ Jesus) in strkjv@1Timothy:3:13|, as well as here by the added words "unto all them that believe" (\eis pantas tous pisteuontas\) in Jesus, Paul means. {Distinction} (\diastolˆ\). See on ¯1Corinthians:14:7| for the difference of sounds in musical instruments. Also in strkjv@Romans:10:12|. The Jew was first in privilege as in penalty (2:9f.|), but justification or setting right with God is offered to both on the same terms.

rwp@Romans:3:23 @{Sinned} (\hˆrmarton\). Constative second aorist active indicative of \hamartan“\ as in strkjv@5:12|. This tense gathers up the whole race into one statement (a timeless aorist). {And fall short} (\kai husterountai\). Present middle indicative of \hustere“\, to be \husteros\ (comparative) too late, continued action, still fall short. It is followed by the ablative case as here, the case of separation.

rwp@Romans:3:24 @{Being justified} (\dikaioumenoi\). Present passive participle of \dikaio“\, to set right, repeated action in each case, each being set right. {Freely} (\d“rean\). As in strkjv@Galatians:2:21|. {By his grace} (\tˆi autou chariti\). Instrumental case of this wonderful word \charis\ which so richly expresses Paul's idea of salvation as God's free gift. {Through the redemption} (\dia tˆs apolutr“se“s\). A releasing by ransom (\apo, lutr“sis\ from \lutro“\ and that from \lutron\, ransom). God did not set men right out of hand with nothing done about men's sins. We have the words of Jesus that he came to give his life a ransom (\lutron\) for many (Mark:10:45; strkjv@Matthew:20:28|). \Lutron\ is common in the papyri as the purchase-money in freeing slaves (Deissmann, _Light from the Ancient East_, pp. 327f.). {That is in Christ Jesus} (\tˆi en Christ“i Iˆsou\). There can be no mistake about this redemption. It is like strkjv@John:3:16|.

rwp@Romans:3:25 @{Set forth} (\proetheto\). Second aorist middle indicative. See on ¯1:13| for this word. Also in strkjv@Ephesians:1:9|, but nowhere else in N.T. God set before himself (purposed) and did it publicly before (\pro\) the whole world. {A propitiation} (\hilastˆrion\). The only other N.T. example of this word is in strkjv@Hebrews:9:5| where we have the "cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat" (\to hilastˆrion\). In Hebrews the adjective is used as a substantive or as "the propitiatory place " But that idea does not suit here. Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, pp. 124-35) has produced examples from inscriptions where it is used as an adjective and as meaning "a votive offering" or "propitiatory gift." Hence he concludes about strkjv@Romans:3:25|: "The crucified Christ is the votive gift of the Divine Love for the salvation of men." God gave his Son as the means of propitiation (1John:2:2|). \Hilastˆrion\ is an adjective (\hilastˆrios\) from \hilaskomai\, to make propitiation (Hebrews:2:17|) and is kin in meaning to \hilasmos\, propitiation (1John:2:2; strkjv@4:10|). There is no longer room for doubting its meaning in strkjv@Romans:3:25|. {Through faith, by his blood} (\dia piste“s en t“i autou haimati\). Songs:probably, connecting \en toi haimati\ (in his blood) with \proetheto\. {To show his righteousness} (\eis endeixin tˆs dikaiosunˆs autou\). See strkjv@2Corinthians:8:24|. "For showing of his righteousness," the God-kind of righteousness. God could not let sin go as if a mere slip. God demanded the atonement and provided it. {Because of the passing over} (\dia tˆn paresin\). Late word from \pariˆmi\, to let go, to relax. In Dionysius Hal., Xenophon, papyri (Deissmann, _Bible Studies_, p. 266) for remission of punishment, especially for debt, as distinct from \aphesis\ (remission). {Done aforetime} (\progegonot“n\). Second perfect active genitive participle of \proginomai\. The sins before the coming of Christ (Acts:14:16; strkjv@17:30; strkjv@Hebrews:9:15|). {Forbearance} (\anochˆi\). Holding back of God as in strkjv@2:4|. In this sense Christ tasted death for every man (Hebrews:2:9|).

rwp@Romans:3:26 @{For the shewing} (\pros tˆn endeixin\). Repeats point of \eis endeixin\ of 25| with \pros\ instead of \eis\. {At this present season} (\en t“i nun kair“i\). "In the now crisis," in contrast with "done aforetime." {That he might himself be} (\eis to einai auton\). Purpose with \eis\ to and the infinitive \einai\ and the accusative of general reference. {Just and the justifier of} (\dikaion kai dikaiounta\). "This is the key phrase which establishes the connexion between the \dikaiosunˆ theou\ and the \dikaiosunˆ ek piste“s\" (Sanday and Headlam). Nowhere has Paul put the problem of God more acutely or profoundly. To pronounce the unrighteous righteous is unjust by itself (Romans:4:5|). God's mercy would not allow him to leave man to his fate. God's justice demanded some punishment for sin. The only possible way to save some was the propitiatory offering of Christ and the call for faith on man's part.

rwp@Romans:3:27 @{It is excluded} (\exekleisthˆ\). First aorist (effective) passive indicative. "It is completely shut out." Glorying is on man's part. {Nay; but by a law of faith} (\ouchi, alla dia nomou piste“s\). Strong negative, and note "law of faith," by the principle of faith in harmony with God's love and grace.

rwp@Romans:3:28 @{We reckon therefore} (\logizometha oun\). Present middle indicative. Westcott and Hort read \gar\ instead of \oun\. "My fixed opinion" is. The accusative and infinitive construction occurs after \logizometha\ here. On this verb \logizomai\, see strkjv@2:3; strkjv@4:3f.; strkjv@8:18; strkjv@14:14|. Paul restates verses 21f|.

rwp@Romans:3:29 @{Of Gentiles also} (\kai ethn“n\). Jews overlooked it then and some Christians do now.

rwp@Romans:3:30 @{If so be that God is one} (\eiper heis ho theos\). Correct text rather than \epeiper\. It means "if on the whole." "By a species of rhetorical politeness it is used of that about which there is no doubt" (Thayer. Cf. strkjv@1Corinthians:8:5; strkjv@15:15; strkjv@Romans:8:9|. {By faith} (\ek piste“s\). "Out of faith," springing out of. {Through faith} (\dia tˆs piste“s\). "By means of the faith" (just mentioned). \Ek\ denotes source, \dia\ intermediate agency or attendant circumstance.

rwp@Romans:3:31 @{Nay, we establish the law} (\alla nomon histanomen\). Present indicative active of late verb \histan“\ from \histˆmi\. This Paul hinted at in verse 21|. How he will show in chapter 4 how Abraham himself is an example of faith and in his life illustrates the very point just made. Besides, apart from Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit no one can keep God's law. The Mosaic law is only workable by faith in Christ.

rwp@Romans:4:1 @{What then shall we say?} (\ti oun eroumen?\). Paul is fond of this rhetorical question (4:1; strkjv@6:1; strkjv@7:7; strkjv@8:31; strkjv@9:14,30|). {Forefather} (\propatora\). Old word, only here in N.T. Accusative case in apposition with \Abraam\ (accusative of general reference with the infinitive). {Hath found} (\heurˆkenai\). Westcott and Hort put \heurˆkenai\ in the margin because B omits it, a needless precaution. It is the perfect active infinitive of \heurisk“\ in indirect discourse after \eroumen\. The MSS. differ in the position of \kata sarka\.

rwp@Romans:4:2 @{The Scripture} (\hˆ graphˆ\). strkjv@Genesis:15:6|. {Was justified by works} (\ex erg“n edikai“thˆ\). Condition of first class, assumed as true for the sake of argument, though untrue in fact. The rabbis had a doctrine of the merits of Abraham who had a superfluity of credits to pass on to the Jews (Luke:3:8|). {But not towards God} (\all' ou pros theon\). Abraham deserved all the respect from men that came to him, but his relation to God was a different matter. He had _there_ no ground of boasting at all.

rwp@Romans:4:3 @{It was reckoned unto him for righteousness} (\elogisthˆ eis dikaiosunˆn\). First aorist passive indicative of \logizomai\, old and common verb to set down accounts (literally or metaphorically). It was set down on the credit side of the ledger "for" (\eis\ as often) righteousness. What was set down? His believing God (\episteusen t“i the“i\).

rwp@Romans:4:4 @{But as of debt} (\alla kata opheilˆma\). An illustration of the workman (\ergazomen“i\) who gets his wages due him, "not as of grace" (\ou kata charin\).

rwp@Romans:4:5 @{That justifieth the ungodly} (\ton dikaiounta ton asebˆ\). The impious, irreverent man. See strkjv@1:25|. A forensic figure (Shedd). The man is taken as he is and pardoned. "The whole Pauline gospel could be summed up in this one word-- God who justifies the ungodly" (Denney).

rwp@Romans:4:6 @{Pronounceth blessing} (\legei ton makarismon\). old word from \makariz“\, to pronounce blessed (Luke:1:48|), felicitation, congratulation, in N.T. only here, verse 9; strkjv@Acts:4:15|.

rwp@Romans:4:7 @{Blessed} (\makarioi\). See on strkjv@Matthew:5:3|. {Are forgiven} (\aphethˆsan\). First aorist passive indicative of \aphiˆmi\, without augment (\apheithˆsan\, regular form). Paul quotes strkjv@Psalms:32:1f.| and as from David. Paul thus confirms his interpretation of strkjv@Genesis:15:6|. {Iniquities} (\anomiai\). Violations of law whereas \hamartiai\ (sins) include all kinds. {Are covered} (\epekaluphthˆsan\). First aorist passive of \epikalupt“\, old verb, to cover over (upon, \epi\) as a shroud. Only here in N.T.

rwp@Romans:4:8 @{To whom} (\h“i\). But the best MSS. read \hou\ like the LXX and so Westcott and Hort, "whose sin." {Will not reckon} (\ou mˆ logisˆtai\). Strong negation by double negative and aorist middle subjunctive.

rwp@Romans:4:9 @{Is this blessing then pronounced?} (\ho makarismos oun houtos?\). "Is this felicitation then?" There is no verb in the Greek. Paul now proceeds to show that Abraham was said in strkjv@Genesis:15:6| to be set right with God by faith _before_ he was circumcised.

rwp@Romans:4:10 @{When he was in circumcision} (\en peritomˆi onti\). Dative masculine singular of the present active participle of \eimi\; "to him being in a state of circumcision or in a state of uncircumcision?" A pertinent point that the average Jew had not noticed.

rwp@Romans:4:11 @{The sign of circumcision} (\sˆmeion peritomˆs\). It is the genitive of apposition, circumcision being the sign. {A seal of the righteousness of the faith} (\sphragida tˆs dikaiosunˆs tˆs piste“s\). \Sphragis\ is old word for the seal placed on books (Revelation:5:1|), for a signet-ring (Revelation:7:2|), the stamp made by the seal (2Timothy:2:19|), that by which anything is confirmed (1Corinthians:9:2|) as here. The circumcision did not convey the righteousness, but only gave outward confirmation. It came by faith and "the faith which he had while in uncircumcision" (\tˆs en tˆi akrobustiƒi\), "the in the state of uncircumcision faith." Whatever parallel exists between baptism and circumcision as here stated by Paul argues for faith before baptism and for baptism as the sign and seal of the faith already had before baptism. {That he might be} (\eis to einai auton\). This idiom may be God's purpose (contemplated result) as in \eis to logisthˆnai\ below, or even actual result (so that he was) as in strkjv@1:20|. {Though they be in uncircumcision} (\di' akrobustias\). Simply, "of those who believe while in the condition of uncircumcision."

rwp@Romans:4:12 @{The father of circumcision} (\patera peritomˆs\). The accusative with \eis to einai\ to be repeated from verse 11|. Lightfoot takes it to mean, not "a father of a circumcised progeny," but "a father belonging to circumcision," a less natural interpretation. {But who also walk} (\alla kai tois stoichousin\). The use of \tois\ here is hard to explain, for \ou monon\ and \alla kai\ both come after the preceding \tois\. All the MSS. have it thus. A primitive error in a copyist is suggested by Hort who would omit the second \tois\. Lightfoot regards it less seriously and would repeat the second \tois\ in the English: "To those who are, I do not say of circumcision only, but also to those who walk." {In the steps} (\tois ichnesin\). Locative case. See on ¯2Corinthians:12:18|. \Stoiche“\ is military term, to walk in file as in strkjv@Galatians:5:25; strkjv@Phillipians:3:16|.

rwp@Romans:4:13 @{That he should be the heir of the world} (\to klˆronomon auton einai kosmou\). The articular infinitive (\to einai\) with the accusative of general reference in loose apposition with \hˆ epaggelia\ (the promise). But where is that promise? Not just strkjv@Genesis:12:7|, but the whole chain of promises about his son, his descendants like the stars in heaven, the Messiah and the blessing to the world through him. In these verses (13-17|) Paul employs (Sanday and Headlam) the keywords of his gospel (faith, promise, grace) and arrays them against the current Jewish theology (law, works, merit).

rwp@Romans:4:14 @{Be heirs} (\klˆronomoi\). No predicate in the Greek (\eisin\). See on ¯Galatians:4:1|. If legalists are heirs of the Messianic promise to Abraham (condition of first class, assumed as true for argument's sake), the faith is emptied of all meaning (\keken“tai\, perfect passive indicative of \keno“\) and the promise to Abraham is made permanently idle (\katˆrgˆtai\).

rwp@Romans:4:15 @{Worketh wrath} (\orgˆn katergazetai\). Because of disobedience to it. {Neither is there transgression} (\oude parabasis\). There is no responsibility for the violation of a non-existent law.

rwp@Romans:4:16 @{Of faith} (\ek piste“s\). As the source. {According to grace} (\kata charin\). As the pattern. {To the end that} (\eis to einai\). Purpose again as in 11|. {Sure} (\bebaian\). Stable, fast, firm. Old adjective from \bain“\, to walk. {Not to that only which is of the law} (\ou t“i ek tou nomou monon\). Another instance where \monon\ (see verse 12|) seems in the wrong place. Normally the order would be, \ou monon t“i ek tou nomou, alla kai ktl\.

rwp@Romans:4:17 @{A father of many nations} (\patera poll“n ethn“n\). Quotation from strkjv@Genesis:17:5|. Only true in the sense of spiritual children as already explained, father of believers in God. {Before him whom he believed even God} (\katenanti hou episteusen theou\). Incorporation of antecedent into the relative clause and attraction of the relative \h“i\ into \hou\. See strkjv@Mark:11:2| for \katenanti\, "right in front of." {Calleth the things that are not as though they were} (\kalountos ta mˆ onta h“s onta\). "Summons the non-existing as existing." Abraham's body was old and decrepit. God rejuvenated him and Sarah (Hebrews:11:19|).

rwp@Romans:4:18 @{In hope believed against hope} (\par' elpida ep' elpidi episteusen\). "Past hope in (upon) hope he trusted." Graphic picture. {To the end that he might become} (\eis to genesthai auton\). Purpose clause again with \eis\ to and the infinitive as in verses 11-16|.

rwp@Romans:4:19 @{Without being weakened in faith} (\mˆ asthenˆsas tˆi pistei\). "Not becoming weak in faith." Ingressive first aorist active participle with negative \mˆ\. {Now as good as dead} (\ˆdˆ nenekr“menon\). Perfect passive participle of \nekro“\, "now already dead." B omits \ˆdˆ\. He was, he knew, too old to become father of a child. {About} (\pou\). The addition of \pou\ (somewhere, about) "qualifies the exactness of the preceding numeral" (Vaughan). The first promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah came (Genesis:15:3f.|) before the birth of Ishmael (86 when Ishmael was born). The second promise came when Abraham was 99 years old (Genesis:17:1|), calling himself 100 (Genesis:17:17|).

rwp@Romans:4:20 @{He wavered not through unbelief} (\ou diekrithˆ tˆi apistiƒi\). First aorist passive indicative of old and common verb \diakrin“\, to separate, to distinguish between, to decide between, to desert, to dispute, to be divided in one's own mind. This last sense occurs here as in strkjv@Matthew:21:22; strkjv@Mark:11:23; strkjv@Romans:14:23; strkjv@James:1:6|. "He was not divided in his mind by unbelief" (instrumental case). {Waxed strong through faith} (\enedunam“thˆ tˆi pistei\). First aorist passive again of \endunamo“\, late word to empower, to put power in, in LXX and Paul and strkjv@Acts:9:22|.

rwp@Romans:4:21 @{Being fully assured} (\plˆrophorˆtheis\). First aorist passive participle of \plˆrophore“\, from \plˆrophoros\ and this from \plˆrˆs\ and \pher“\, to bear or bring full (full measure), to settle fully. Late word, first in LXX but frequent in papyri in sense of finishing off or paying off. See on ¯Luke:1:1; strkjv@Romans:14:5|. {What he had promised} (\ho epˆggeltai\). Perfect middle indicative of \epaggellomai\, to promise, retained in indirect discourse according to usual Greek idiom. {He was able} (\dunatos estin\). Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse. The verbal adjective \dunatos\ with \estin\ is here used in sense of the verb \dunatai\ (Luke:14:31; strkjv@Acts:11:17|).

rwp@Romans:4:23 @{That} (\hoti\). Either recitative or declarative \hoti\. It makes sense either way.

rwp@Romans:4:24 @{Him that raised up Jesus} (\ton egeiranta Iˆsoun\). First aorist active articular participle of \egeir“\, to raise up. The fact of the Resurrection of Jesus is central in Paul's gospel (1Corinthians:15:4ff.|).

rwp@Romans:4:25 @{For our justification} (\dia tˆn dikai“sin hˆm“n\). The first clause (\paredothˆ dia ta parapt“mata\) is from strkjv@Isaiah:53:12|. The first \dia\ with \parapt“mata\ is probably retrospective, though it will make sense as prospective (to make atonement for our transgressions). The second \dia\ is quite clearly prospective with a view to our justification. Paul does not mean to separate the resurrection from the death of Christ in the work of atonement, but simply to show that the resurrection is at one with the death on the Cross in proof of Christ's claims.

rwp@Romans:5:1 @{Being therefore justified by faith} (\dikai“thentes oun ek piste“s\). First aorist passive participle of \dikaio“\, to set right and expressing antecedent action to the verb \ech“men\. The \oun\ refers to the preceding conclusive argument (chapters 1 to 4) that this is done by faith. {Let us have peace with God} (\eirˆnˆn ech“men pros ton theon\). This is the correct text beyond a doubt, the present active subjunctive, not \echomen\ (present active indicative) of the Textus Receptus which even the American Standard Bible accepts. It is curious how perverse many real scholars have been on this word and phrase here. Godet, for instance. Vincent says that "it is difficult if not impossible to explain it." One has only to observe the force of the _tense_ to see Paul's meaning clearly. The mode is the volitive subjunctive and the present tense expresses linear action and so does not mean "make peace" as the ingressive aorist subjunctive \eirˆnˆn sch“men\ would mean. A good example of \sch“men\ occurs in strkjv@Matthew:21:38| (\sch“men tˆn klˆronomian autou\) where it means: "Let us get hold of his inheritance." Here \eirˆnˆn ech“men\ can only mean: "Let us enjoy peace with God" or "Let us retain peace with God." We have in strkjv@Acts:9:31| \eichen eirˆnˆn\ (imperfect and so linear), the church "enjoyed peace," not "made peace." The preceding justification (\dikai“thentes\) "made peace with God." Observe \pros\ (face to face) with \ton theon\ and \dia\ (intermediate agent) with \tou kuriou\.

rwp@Romans:5:2 @{We have had} (\eschˆkamen\). Perfect active indicative of \ech“\ (same verb as \ech“men\), still have it. {Our access} (\ten prosag“gˆn\). Old word from \prosag“\, to bring to, to introduce. Hence "introduction," "approach." Elsewhere in N.T. only strkjv@Ephesians:2:18; strkjv@3:12|. {Wherein we stand} (\en hˆi hestˆkamen\). Perfect active (intransitive) indicative of \histˆmi\. Grace is here present as a field into which we have been introduced and where we stand and we should enjoy all the privileges of this grace about us. {Let us rejoice} (\kauch“metha\). "Let us exult." Present middle subjunctive (volitive) because \ech“men\ is accepted as correct. The exhortation is that we keep on enjoying peace with God and keep on exulting in hope of the glory of God.

rwp@Romans:5:3 @{But let us also rejoice in our tribulations} (\alla kai kauch“metha en tais thlipsesin\). Present middle subjunctive of same verb as in verse 2|. \Kauch“mai\ is more than "rejoice," rather "glory," "exult." These three volitive subjunctives (\ech“men, kauch“metha\, twice) hold up the high ideal for the Christian after, and because of, his being set right with God. It is one thing to submit to or endure tribulations without complaint, but it is another to find ground of glorying in the midst of them as Paul exhorts here.

rwp@Romans:5:4 @{Knowing} (\eidotes\). Second perfect participle of \eidon\ (\oida\), giving the reason for the previous exhortation to glory in tribulations. He gives a linked chain, one linking to the other (tribulation \thlipsis\, patience \hupomonˆ\, experience \dokimˆ\, hope \elpis\) running into verse 5|. On \dokimˆ\, see strkjv@2Corinthians:2:9|.

rwp@Romans:5:5 @{Hath been shed abroad} (\ekkechutai\). Perfect passive indicative of \ekche“\, to pour out. "Has been poured out" in our hearts.

rwp@Romans:5:6 @{For} (\eti gar\). Songs:most documents, but B reads \ei ge\ which Westcott and Hort use in place of \gar\. {While we were yet weak} (\ont“n hˆm“n asthen“n eti\). Genitive absolute. The second \eti\ (yet) here probably gave rise to the confusion of text over \eti gar\ above. {In due season} (\kata kairon\). Christ came into the world at the proper time, the fulness of the time (Galatians:4:4; strkjv@Ephesians:1:10; strkjv@Titus:1:3|). {I or the ungodly} (\huper aseb“n\). In behalf, instead of. See about \huper\ on strkjv@Galatians:3:13| and also verse 7| here.

rwp@Romans:5:7 @{Scarcely} (\molis\). Common adverb from \molos\, toil. See on strkjv@Acts:14:18|. As between \dikaios\, righteous, and \agathos\, good, Lightfoot notes "all the difference in the world" which he shows by quotations from Plato and Christian writers, a difference of sympathy mainly, the \dikaios\ man being "absolutely without sympathy" while the \agathos\ man "is beneficent and kind." {Would even dare} (\kai tolmƒi\). Present active indicative of \tolma“\, to have courage. "Even dares to." Even so in the case of the kindly sympathetic man courage is called for to make the supreme sacrifice. {Perhaps} (\tacha\). Common adverb (perhaps instrumental case) from \tachus\ (swift). Only here in N.T.

rwp@Romans:5:8 @{His own love} (\tˆn heautou agapˆn\). See strkjv@John:3:16| as the best comment here. {While we were yet sinners} (\eti hamart“l“n ont“n\). Genitive absolute again. Not because we were Jews or Greeks, rich or poor, righteous or good, but plain sinners. Cf. strkjv@Luke:18:13|, the plea of the publican, "\moi t“i hamart“l“i\."

rwp@Romans:5:9 @{Much more then} (\poll“i oun mallon\). Argument from the greater to the less. The great thing is the justification in Christ's blood. The final salvation (\s“thˆsometha\, future passive indicative) is less of a mystery.

rwp@Romans:5:10 @{We were reconciled to God} (\katˆllagˆmen t“i the“i\). Second aorist passive indicative of \katallass“\ for which great Pauline word see on ¯2Corinthians:5:18f|. The condition is the first class. Paul does not conceive it as his or our task to reconcile God to us. God has attended to that himself (Romans:3:25f.|). We become reconciled to God by means of the death of God's Son. "Much more" again we shall be saved "by his life" (\en tˆi z“ˆi autou\). "In his life," for he does live, "ever living to intercede for them" (Hebrews:7:25|).

rwp@Romans:5:11 @{But also glorying in God} (\alla kai kauch“menoi en t“i the“i\). Basis of all the exultation above (verses 1-5|). {Through whom we have now received the reconciliation} (\di hou nun tˆn katallagˆn elabomen\). Second aorist active indicative of \lamban“\, looked at as a past realization, "now" (\nun\) in contrast with the future consummation and a sure pledge and guarantee of it.

rwp@Romans:5:12 @{Therefore} (\dia touto\). "For this reason." What reason? Probably the argument made in verses 1-11|, assuming our justification and urging exultant joy in Christ because of the present reconciliation by Christ's death and the certainty of future final salvation by his life. {As through one man} (\h“sper di' henos anthr“pou\). Paul begins a comparison between the effects of Adam's sin and the effects of the redemptive work of Christ, but he does not give the second member of the comparison. Instead of that he discusses some problems about sin and death and starts over again in verse 15|. The general point is plain that the effects of Adam's sin are transmitted to his descendants, though he does not say how it was done whether by the natural or the federal headship of Adam. It is important to note that Paul does not say that the whole race receives the full benefit of Christ's atoning death, but only those who do. Christ is the head of all believers as Adam is the head of the race. In this sense Adam "is a figure of him that was to come." {Sin entered into the world} (\hˆ hamartia eis ton kosmon eisˆlthen\). Personification of sin and represented as coming from the outside into the world of humanity. Paul does not discuss the origin of evil beyond this fact. There are some today who deny the fact of sin at all and who call it merely "an error of mortal mind" (a notion) while others regard it as merely an animal inheritance devoid of ethical quality. {And so death passed unto all men} (\kai hout“s eis pantas anthr“pous diˆlthen\). Note use of \dierchomai\ rather than \eiserchomai\, just before, second aorist active indicative in both instances. By "death" in strkjv@Genesis:2:17; strkjv@3:19| physical death is meant, but in verses 17,21| eternal death is Paul's idea and that lurks constantly behind physical death with Paul. {For that all sinned} (\eph' h“i pantes hˆmarton\). Constative (summary) aorist active indicative of \hamartan“\, gathering up in this one tense the history of the race (committed sin). The transmission from Adam became facts of experience. In the old Greek \eph' h“i\ usually meant "on condition that," but "because" in N.T. (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 963).

rwp@Romans:5:13 @{Until the law} (\achri nomou\). Until the Mosaic law. Sin was there before the Mosaic law, for the Jews were like Gentiles who had the law of reason and conscience (2:12-16|), but the coming of the law increased their responsibility and their guilt (2:9|). {Sin is not imputed} (\hamartia de ouk ellogeitai\). Present passive indicative of late verb \elloga“\ (\-e“\) from \en\ and \logos\, to put down in the ledger to one's account, examples in inscription and papyri. {When there is no law} (\mˆ ontos nomou\). Genitive absolute, no law of any kind, he means. There was law _before_ the Mosaic law. But what about infants and idiots in case of death? Do they have responsibility? Surely not. The sinful nature which they inherit is met by Christ's atoning death and grace. No longer do men speak of "elect infants."

rwp@Romans:5:14 @{Even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression} (\kai epi tous mˆ hamartˆsantas epi t“i homoi“mati tˆs parabase“s Adam\). Adam violated an express command of God and Moses gave the law of God clearly. And yet sin and death followed all from Adam on till Moses, showing clearly that the sin of Adam brought terrible consequences upon the race. Death has come upon infants and idiots also as a result of sin, but one understands Paul to mean that they are not held responsible by the law of conscience. {A figure} (\tupos\). See on ¯Acts:7:43; strkjv@1Thessalonians:1:7; strkjv@2Thessalonians:3:9; strkjv@1Corinthians:10:6| for this word. Adam is a type of Christ in holding a relation to those affected by the headship in each case, but the parallel is not precise as Paul shows.

rwp@Romans:5:15 @{But not as the trespass} (\all' ouch h“s\). It is more contrast than parallel: "the trespass" (\to parapt“ma\, the slip, fall to one side) over against the free gift (\to charisma\, of grace \charis\). {Much more} (\poll“i mallon\). Another _a fortiori_ argument. Why so? As a God of love he delights {much more} in showing mercy and pardon than in giving just punishment (Lightfoot). The gift surpasses the sin. It is not necessary to Paul's argument to make "the many" in each case correspond, one relates to Adam, the other to Christ.

rwp@Romans:5:16 @{Through one that sinned} (\di' henos hamartˆsantos\). "Through one having sinned." That is Adam. Another contrast, difference in source (\ek\). {Of one} (\ex henos\). Supply \parapt“matos\, Adam's one transgression. {Of many trespasses} (\ek poll“n parapt“mat“n\). The gift by Christ grew out of manifold sins by Adam's progeny. {Justification} (\dikai“ma\). Act of righteousness, result, ordinance (1:32; strkjv@2:26; strkjv@8:4|), righteous deed (5:18|), verdict as here (acquittal).

rwp@Romans:5:17 @{Much more} (\poll“i mallon\). Argument _a fortiori_ again. Condition of first class assumed to be true. Note balanced words in the contrast (transgression \parapt“mati\, grace \charitos\; death \thanatos\, life \z“ˆi\; the one or {Adam} \tou henos\, the one {Jesus Christ}; reign \basileu“\ in both).

rwp@Romans:5:18 @{Songs:then} (\ara oun\). Conclusion of the argument. Cf. strkjv@7:3,25; strkjv@8:12|, etc. Paul resumes the parallel between Adam and Christ begun in verse 12| and interrupted by explanation (13f.|) and contrast (15-17|). {Through one trespass} (\di' henos parapt“matos\). That of Adam. {Through one act of righteousness} (\di' henos dikai“matos\). That of Christ. The first "unto all men" (\eis pantas anthr“pous\) as in verse 12|, the second as in verse 17| "they that receive, etc."

rwp@Romans:5:19 @Here again we have "the one" (\tou henos\) with both Adam and Christ, but "disobedience" (\parakoˆs\, for which see strkjv@2Corinthians:10:6|) contrasted with "obedience" (\hupakoˆs\), the same verb \kathistˆmi\, old verb, to set down, to render, to constitute (\katestathˆsan\, first aorist passive indicative, \katastathˆsontai\, future passive), and "the many" (\hoi polloi\) in both cases (but with different meaning as with "all men" above).

rwp@Romans:5:20 @{Came in beside} (\pareisˆlthen\). Second aorist active indicative of double compound \pareiserchomai\, late verb, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Galatians:2:4| which see. See also \eisˆlthen\ in verse 12|. The Mosaic law came into this state of things, in between Adam and Christ. {That the trespass might abound} (\hina pleonasˆi to parapt“ma\). It is usual to explain \hina\ here as final, as God's ultimate purpose. Songs:Denney who refers to strkjv@Galatians:3:19ff.; strkjv@Romans:7:7f|. But Chrysostom explains \hina\ here as \ekbasis\ (result). This is a proper use of \hina\ in the _Koin‚_ as we have seen. If we take it so here, the meaning is "so that the trespass abounded" (aorist active subjunctive of \pleonas“\, late verb, see on ¯2Thessalonians:1:3; strkjv@2Corinthians:8:15|). This was the actual effect of the Mosaic law for the Jews, the necessary result of all prohibitions. {Did abound more exceedingly} (\hupereperisseusen\). First aorist active indicative of \huperperisseu“\. Late verb, in N.T. only here and strkjv@2Corinthians:7:4| which see. A strong word. If \pleonaz“\ is comparative (\pleon\) \perisseu“\ is superlative (Lightfoot) and then \huperperisseu“\ goes the superlative one better. See \huperpleonaz“\ in strkjv@1Timothy:1:14|. The flood of grace surpassed the flood of sin, great as that was (and is).

rwp@Romans:5:21 @{That--even so grace might reign} (\hina--houtos kai hˆ charis basileusˆi\). Final \hina\ here, the purpose of God and the goal for us through Christ. Lightfoot notes the force of the aorist indicative (\ebasileusen\, established its throne) and the aorist subjunctive (\basileusˆi\, might establish its throne), the ingressive aorist both times. "This full rhetorical close has almost the value of a doxology" (Denney).

rwp@Romans:

rwp@Romans:6:1 @{What shall we say then?} (\ti oun eroumen?\). "A debater's phrase" (Morison). Yes, and an echo of the rabbinical method of question and answer, but also an expression of exultant victory of grace versus sin. But Paul sees the possible perversion of this glorious grace. {Shall we continue in sin?} (\epimen“men tˆi hamartiƒi?\). Present active deliberative subjunctive of \epimen“\, old verb to tarry as in Ephesus (1Corinthians:16:8|) with locative case. The practice of sin as a habit (present tense) is here raised. {That grace may abound} (\hina hˆ charis pteonasˆi\). Final clause with ingressive aorist subjunctive, to set free the superfluity of grace alluded to like putting money in circulation. Horrible thought (\mˆ genoito\) and yet Paul faced it. There are occasionally so-called pietists who actually think that God's pardon gives them liberty to sin without penalty (cf. the sale of indulgences that stirred Martin Luther).

rwp@Romans:6:2 @{Died to sin} (\apethanomen tˆi hamartiƒi\). Second aorist active of \apothnˆsk“\ and the dative case. When we surrendered to Christ and took him as Lord and Saviour. Qualitative relative (\hoitines\, we the very ones who). {How} (\p“s\). Rhetorical question.

rwp@Romans:6:3 @{Were baptized into Christ} (\ebaptisthˆmen eis Christon\). First aorist passive indicative of \baptiz“\. Better, "were baptized unto Christ or in Christ." The translation "into" makes Paul say that the union with Christ was brought to pass by means of baptism, which is not his idea, for Paul was not a sacramentarian. \Eis\ is at bottom the same word as \en\. Baptism is the public proclamation of one's inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. See on ¯Galatians:3:27| where it is like putting on an outward garment or uniform. {Into his death} (\eis ton thanaton autou\). Songs:here "unto his death," "in relation to his death," which relation Paul proceeds to explain by the symbolism of the ordinance.

rwp@Romans:6:4 @{We were buried therefore with him by means of baptism unto death} (\sunetaphˆmen oun aut“i dia tou baptismatos eis ton thanaton\). Second aorist passive indicative of \sunthapt“\, old verb to bury together with, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Colossians:2:12|. With associative instrumental case (\aut“i\) and "by means of baptism unto death" as in verse 3|. {In newness of life} (\en kainotˆti z“ˆs\). The picture in baptism points two ways, backwards to Christ's death and burial and to our death to sin (verse 1|), forwards to Christ's resurrection from the dead and to our new life pledged by the coming out of the watery grave to walk on the other side of the baptismal grave (F. B. Meyer). There is the further picture of our own resurrection from the grave. It is a tragedy that Paul's majestic picture here has been so blurred by controversy that some refuse to see it. It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality.

rwp@Romans:6:5 @{For if we have become united with him by the likeness of his death} (\ei gar sumphutoi gegonamen t“i homoi“mati tou thanatou autou\). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true. \Sumphutoi\ is old verbal adjective from \sumphu“\, to grow together. Baptism as a picture of death and burial symbolizes our likeness to Christ in his death. {We shall be also united in the likeness of his resurrection} (\alla kai tˆs anastase“s esometha\). The conclusion to the previous condition introduced by \alla kai\ as often and \toi homoi“mati\ (in the likeness) must be understood before \tˆs anastase“s\ (of his resurrection). Baptism is a picture of the past and of the present and a prophecy of the future, the matchless preacher of the new life in Christ.

rwp@Romans:6:6 @{Our old man} (\ho palaios hˆm“n anthr“pos\). Only in Paul (here, strkjv@Colossians:3:9; strkjv@Ephesians:4:22|). {Was crucified with him} (\sunestaur“thˆ\). See on ¯Galatians:2:19| for this boldly picturesque word. This took place not at baptism, but only pictured there. It took place when "we died to sin" (verse 1|). {The body of sin} (\to s“ma tˆs hamartias\). "The body of which sin has taken possession" (Sanday and Headlam), the body marked by sin. {That so we should no longer be in bondage to sin} (\tou mˆketi douleuein hˆmas tˆi hamartiƒi\). Purpose clause with \tou\ and the present active infinitive of \douleu“\, continue serving sin (as slaves). Adds "slavery" to living in sin (verse 2|).

rwp@Romans:6:7 @{Is justified} (\dedikai“tai\). Perfect passive indicative of \dikaio“\, stands justified, set free from, adding this great word to death and life of verses 1,2|.

rwp@Romans:6:8 @{With Christ} (\sun Christ“i\). As pictured by baptism, the crucifixion with Christ of verse 6|.

rwp@Romans:6:9 @{Dieth no more} (\ouketi apothnˆskei\). "Christ's particular death occurs but once" (Shedd). See strkjv@Hebrews:10:10|. A complete refutation of the "sacrificial" character of the "mass."

rwp@Romans:6:10 @{The death that he died} (\ho apethanen\). Neuter relative, cognative accusative with \apethanen\. {Once} (\ephapax\). Once and once only (Hebrews:9:26f.|), not \pote\ (once upon a time). {The life that he liveth} (\ho zˆi\). Cognate accusative of the relative.

rwp@Romans:6:11 @{Reckon ye also yourselves} (\kai humeis logizesthe\). Direct middle imperative of \logizomai\ and complete proof that Paul does not mean that baptism makes one dead to sin and alive to God. That is a spiritual operation "in Christ Jesus" and only pictured by baptism. This is a plea to live up to the ideal of the baptized life.

rwp@Romans:6:12 @{Reign} (\basileuet“\). Present active imperative, "let not sin continue to reign" as it did once (5:12|). {Mortal} (\thnˆtoi\). Verbal adjective from \thnˆsk“\, subject to death. The reign of sin is over with you. Self-indulgence is inconsistent with trust in the vicarious atonement. {That ye should obey} (\eis to hupakouein\). With a view to obeying.

rwp@Romans:6:13 @{Neither present} (\mˆde paristanete\). Present active imperative in prohibition of \paristan“\, late form of \paristˆmi\, to place beside. Stop presenting your members or do not have the habit of doing so, "do not go on putting your members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness." {Instruments} (\hopla\). Old word for tools of any kind for shop or war (John:18:3; strkjv@2Corinthians:6:7; strkjv@10:4; strkjv@Romans:13:12|). Possibly here figure of two armies arrayed against each other (Galatians:5:16-24|), and see \hopla dikaiosunˆs\ below. The two sets of \hopla\ clash. {But present yourselves unto God} (\alla parastˆsate heautous t“i the“i\). First aorist active imperative of \paristˆmi\, same verb, but different tense, do it now and completely. Our "members" (\melˆ\) should be at the call of God "as alive from the dead."

rwp@Romans:6:14 @{Shall not have dominion} (\ou kurieusei\). Future active indicative of \kurieu“\, old verb from \kurios\, "shall not lord it over you," even if not yet wholly dead. Cf. strkjv@2Corinthians:1:24|.

rwp@Romans:6:15 @{What then?} (\ti oun?\). Another turn in the argument about the excess of grace. {Shall we sin?} (\hamartes“men?\). First aorist active deliberative subjunctive of \hamartan“\. "Shall we commit sin" (occasional acts of sin as opposed to the life of sin as raised by \epimen“men tˆi hamartiƒi\ in verse 1|)? {Because} (\hoti\). The same reason as in verse 1| and taken up from the very words in verse 14|. Surely, the objector says, we may take a night off now and then and sin a little bit "since we are under grace."

rwp@Romans:6:16 @{His servants ye are whom ye obey} (\douloi este h“i hupakouete\). Bondservants, slaves of the one whom ye obey, whatever one's profession may be, traitors, spies sometimes they are called. As Paul used the figure to illustrate death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ and not in sin, so now he uses slavery against the idea of occasional lapses into sin. Loyalty to Christ will not permit occasional crossing over to the other side to Satan's line.

rwp@Romans:6:17 @{Whereas ye were} (\ˆte\). Imperfect but no "whereas" in the Greek. Paul is not grateful that they were once slaves of sin, but only that, though they once were, they turned from that state. {To that form of doctrine whereunto ye were delivered} (\eis hon paredothˆte tupon didachˆs\). Incorporation of the antecedent (\tupon didachˆs\) into the relative clause: "to which form of doctrine ye were delivered." See on ¯5:14| for \tupon\. It is hardly proper to take "form" here to refer to Paul's gospel (2:16|), possibly an allusion to the symbolism of baptism which was the outward sign of the separation.

rwp@Romans:6:18 @{Ye became servants of righteousness} (\edoul“thˆte tˆi dikaiosunˆi\). First aorist passive indicative of \doulo“\, to enslave. "Ye were made slaves to righteousness." You have simply changed masters, no longer slaves of sin (set free from that tyrant), but ye are slaves of righteousness. There is no middle ground, no "no man's land" in this war.

rwp@Romans:6:19 @{I speak after the manner of men} (\anthr“pinon leg“\). "I speak a human word." He begs pardon for using "slaving" in connection with righteousness. But it is a good word, especially for our times when self-assertiveness and personal liberty bulk so large in modern speech. See strkjv@3:5; strkjv@Galatians:3:15| where he uses \kata anthr“pon\. {Because of the infirmity of your flesh} (\dia tˆn astheneian tˆs sarkos hum“n\). Because of defective spiritual insight largely due to moral defects also. {Servants to uncleanness} (\doula tˆi akatharsiƒi\). Neuter plural form of \doulos\ to agree with \melˆ\ (members). Patently true in sexual sins, in drunkenness, and all fleshly sins, absolutely slaves like narcotic fiends. {Songs:now} (\hout“s nun\). Now that you are born again in Christ. Paul uses twice again the same verb \paristˆmi\, to present (\parestˆsate, parastˆsate\). {Servants to righteousness} (\doula tˆi dikaiosunˆi\). Repeats the idea of verse 18|. {Unto sanctification} (\eis hagiasmon\). This the goal, the blessed consummation that demands and deserves the new slavery without occasional lapses or sprees (verse 15|). This late word appears only in LXX, N.T., and ecclesiastical writers so far. See on strkjv@1Thessalonians:4:3; strkjv@1Corinthians:1:30|. Paul includes sanctification in his conception of the God-kind (1:17|) of righteousness (both justification, strkjv@1:18-5:21| and sanctification, chapters 6-8|). It is a life process of consecration, not an instantaneous act. Paul shows that we ought to be sanctified (6:1-7:6|) and illustrates the obligation by death (6:1-14|), by slavery (6:15-23|), and by marriage (7:1-6|).

rwp@Romans:6:20 @{Free in regard of righteousness} (\eleutheroi tˆi dikaiosunˆi\). Ye wore no collar of righteousness, but freely did as ye pleased. They were "free." Note dative case, personal relation, of \dikaiosunˆi\.

rwp@Romans:6:21 @{What fruit then had ye at that time?} (\tina oun karpon eichete tote?\). Imperfect active, used to have. A pertinent question. Ashes in their hands now. They are ashamed now of the memory of them. The end of them is death.

rwp@Romans:6:22 @{Ye have your fruit unto sanctification} (\echete ton karpon hum“n eis hagiasmon\). Freedom from sin and slavery to God bring permanent fruit that leads to sanctification. {And the end eternal life} (\to de telos z“ˆn ai“nion\). Note accusative case \z“ˆn ai“nion\, object of \echete\ (ye have), though \thanatos\ in contrast above is nominative.

rwp@Romans:6:23 @{Wages} (\ops“nia\). Late Greek for wages of soldier, here of sin. See on ¯Luke:3:14; strkjv@1Corinthians:9:7; strkjv@2Corinthians:11:8|. Sin pays its wages in full with no cut. But eternal life is God's gift (\charisma\), not wages. Both \thanatos\ and \z“ˆn\ are {eternal} (\ai“nion\).

rwp@Romans:7:1 @{To men that know the law} (\gin“skousin nomon\). Dative plural of present active participle of \gin“sk“\. The Romans, whether Jews or Gentiles, knew the principle of law. {A man} (\tou anthr“pou\). "The person," generic term \anthr“pos\, not \anˆr\.

rwp@Romans:7:2 @{The wife that hath a husband} (\hˆ hupandros gunˆ\). Late word, under (in subjection to) a husband. Here only in N.T. {Is bound} (\dedetai\). Perfect passive indicative, stands bound. {By law} (\nom“i\). Instrumental case. {To the husband while he liveth} (\t“i z“nti andri\). "To the living husband," literally. {But if the husband die} (\ean de apothanˆi ho anˆr\). Third class condition, a supposable case (\ean\ and the second aorist active subjunctive). {She is discharged} (\katˆrgˆtai\). Perfect passive indicative of \katarge“\, to make void. She stands free from the law of the husband. Cf. strkjv@6:6|.

rwp@Romans:7:3 @{While the husband liveth} (\z“ntos tou andros\). Genitive absolute of present active participle of \za“\. {She shall be called} (\chrˆmatisei\). Future active indicative of \chrˆmatiz“\, old verb, to receive a name as in strkjv@Acts:11:26|, from \chrˆma\, business, from \chraomai\, to use, then to give an oracle, etc. {An adulteress} (\moichalis\). Late word, in Plutarch, LXX. See on ¯Matthew:12:39|. {If she be joined} (\ean genˆtai\). Third class condition, "if she come to." {Songs:that she is no adulteress} (\tou mˆ einai autˆn moichalida\). It is a fact that \tou\ and the infinitive is used for result as we saw in strkjv@1:24|. Conceived result may explain the idiom here.

rwp@Romans:7:4 @{Ye also were made to the law} (\kai humeis ethanat“thˆte\). First aorist indicative passive of \thanato“\, old verb, to put to death (Matthew:10:21|) or to make to die (extinct) as here and strkjv@Romans:8:13|. The analogy calls for the death of the law, but Paul refuses to say that. He changes the structure and makes them dead to the law as the husband (6:3-6|). The relation of marriage is killed "through the body of Christ" as the "propitiation" (3:25|) for us. Cf. strkjv@Colossians:1:22|. {That we should be joined to another} (\eis to genesthai heter“i\). Purpose clause with \eis to\ and the infinitive. First mention of the saints as wedded to Christ as their Husband occurs in strkjv@1Corinthians:6:13; strkjv@Galatians:4:26|. See further strkjv@Ephesians:5:22-33|. {That we might bring forth fruit unto God} (\hina karpophorˆs“men t“i the“i\). He changes the metaphor to that of the tree used in strkjv@6:22|.

rwp@Romans:7:5 @{In the flesh} (\en tˆi sarki\). Same sense as in strkjv@6:19| and strkjv@7:18,25|. The "flesh" is not inherently sinful, but is subject to sin. It is what Paul means by being "under the law." He uses \sarx\ in a good many senses. {Sinful passions} (\ta pathˆmata t“n hamarti“n\). "Passions of sins" or marked by sins. {Wrought} (\energeito\). Imperfect middle of \energe“\, "were active." {To bring forth fruit unto death} (\eis to karpophorˆsai t“i thanat“i\). Purpose clause again. Vivid picture of the seeds of sin working for death.

rwp@Romans:7:6 @{But now} (\nuni de\). In the new condition. {Wherein we were holden} (\en h“i kateichometha\). Imperfect passive of \katech“\, picture of our former state (same verb in strkjv@1:18|). {In newness of spirit} (\en kainotˆti pneumatos\). The death to the letter of the law (the old husband) has set us free to the new life in Christ. Songs:Paul has shown again the obligation on us to live for Christ.

rwp@Romans:7:7 @{Is the law sin?} (\ho nomos hamartia?\). A pertinent query in view of what he had said. Some people today oppose all inhibitions and prohibitions because they stimulate violations. That is half-baked thinking. {I had not known sin} (\tˆn hamartian ouk egn“n\). Second aorist indicative of \gin“sk“\, to know. It is a conclusion of a second class condition, determined as unfulfilled. Usually \an\ is used in the conclusion to make it plain that it is second class condition instead of first class, but occasionally it is not employed when it is plain enough without as here (John:16:22,24|). See on ¯Galatians:4:15|. Songs:as to {I had not known coveting} (lust), \epithumian ouk ˆidein\. But all the same the law is not itself sin nor the cause of sin. Men with their sinful natures turn law into an occasion for sinful acts.

rwp@Romans:7:8 @{Finding occasion} (\aphormˆn labousa\). See strkjv@2Corinthians:5:12; strkjv@11:12; strkjv@Galatians:5:13| for \aphormˆn\, a starting place from which to rush into acts of sin, excuses for doing what they want to do. Just so drinking men use the prohibition laws as "occasions" for violating them. {Wrought in me} (\kateirgasato en emoi\). First aorist active middle indicative of the intensive verb \katergazomai\, to work out (to the finish), effective aorist. The command not to lust made me lust more. {Dead} (\nekra\). Inactive, not non-existent. Sin in reality was there in a dormant state.

rwp@Romans:7:9 @{I was alive} (\ez“n\). Imperfect active. Apparently, "the lost paradise in the infancy of men" (Denney), before the conscience awoke and moral responsibility came, "a seeming life" (Shedd). {Sin revived} (\hˆ hamartia anezˆsen\). Sin came back to life, waked up, the blissful innocent stage was over, "the commandment having come" (\elthousˆs tˆs entolˆs\, genitive absolute). {But I died} (\eg“ de apethanon\). My seeming life was over for I was conscious of sin, of violation of law. I was dead before, but I did not know. Now I found out that I was spiritually dead.

rwp@Romans:7:10 @{This I found unto death} (\heurethˆ moi--hautˆ eis thanaton\). Literally, "the commandment the one for (meant for) life, this was found for me unto death." First aorist (effective) passive indicative of \heurisk“\, to find, not active as the English has it. It turned out so for me (ethical dative).

rwp@Romans:7:11 @{Beguiled me} (\exˆpatˆsen me\). First aorist active indicative of \exapata“\, old verb, completely (\ex\) made me lose my way (\a\ privative, \pate“\, to walk). See on ¯1Corinthians:3:18; strkjv@2Corinthians:11:3|. Only in Paul in N.T. {Slew me} (\apekteinen\). First aorist active indicative of \apoktein“\, old verb. "Killed me off," made a clean job of it. Sin here is personified as the tempter (Genesis:3:13|).

rwp@Romans:7:12 @{Holy, and righteous, and good} (\hagia kai dikaia kai agathˆ\). This is the conclusion (wherefore, \h“ste\) to the query in verse 7|. The commandment is God's and so holy like Him, just in its requirements and designed for our good. The modern revolt against law needs these words.

rwp@Romans:7:13 @{Become death unto me?} (\emoi egeneto thanatos?\). Ethical dative \emoi\ again. New turn to the problem. Admitting the goodness of God's law, did it issue in death for me? Paul repels (\mˆ genoito\) this suggestion. It was sin that (But sin, \alla hˆ hamartia\) "became death for me." {That it might be shown} (\hina phanˆi\). Final clause, \hina\ and second aorist passive subjunctive of \phain“\, to show. The sinfulness of sin is revealed in its violations of God's law. {By working death to me} (\moi katergazomenˆ thanaton\). Present middle participle, as an incidental result. {Might become exceedingly sinful} (\genˆtai kath' huperbolˆn hamart“los\). Second aorist middle subjunctive of \ginomai\ with \hina\ in final clause. On \kath' huperbolˆn\, see on ¯1Corinthians:12:31|. Our _hyperbole_ is the Greek \huperbolˆ\. The excesses of sin reveal its real nature. Only then do some people get their eyes opened.

rwp@Romans:7:14 @{Spiritual} (\pneumatikos\). Spirit-caused and spirit-given and like the Holy Spirit. See strkjv@1Corinthians:10:3f|. {But I am carnal} (\eg“ de sarkinos eimi\). "Fleshen" as in strkjv@1Corinthians:3:1| which see, more emphatic even than \sarkikos\," a creature of flesh." {Sold under sin} (\pepramenos hupo tˆn hamartian\). Perfect passive participle of \piprask“\, old verb, to sell. See on ¯Matthew:13:46; strkjv@Acts:2:45|, state of completion. Sin has closed the mortgage and owns its slave.

rwp@Romans:7:15 @{I know not} (\ou gin“sk“\). "I do not recognize" in its true nature. My spiritual perceptions are dulled, blinded by sin (2Corinthians:4:4|). The dual life pictured here by Paul finds an echo in us all, the struggle after the highest in us ("what I really wish," \ho thel“\, to practise it steadily, \prass“\) and the slipping into doing (\poi“\) "what I really hate" (\ho mis“\) and yet sometimes do. There is a deal of controversy as to whether Paul is describing his struggle with sin before conversion or after it. The words "sold under sin" in verse 14| seem to turn the scale for the pre-conversion period. "It is the unregenerate man's experience, surviving at least in memory into regenerate days, and read with regenerate eyes" (Denney).

rwp@Romans:7:16 @{I consent unto the law} (\sunphˆmi t“i nom“i\). Old verb, here only in N.T., with associative instrumental case. "I speak with." My wanting (\thel“\) to do the opposite of what I do proves my acceptance of God's law as good (\kalos\).

rwp@Romans:7:17 @{Songs:now} (\nuni de\). A logical contrast, "as the case really stands." {But sin that dwelleth in me} (\all' hˆ enoikousa en emoi hamartia\). "But the dwelling in me sin." Not my true self, my higher personality, but my lower self due to my slavery to indwelling sin. Paul does not mean to say that his whole self has no moral responsibility by using this paradox. "To be saved from sin, a man must at the same time own it and disown it" (Denney).

rwp@Romans:7:18 @{In me} (\en emoi\). Paul explains this by "in my flesh" (\en tˆi sarki mou\), the unregenerate man "sold under sin" of verse 14|. {No good thing} (\ouk--agathon\). "Not absolutely good." This is not a complete view of man even in his unregenerate state as Paul at once shows. {For to will is present with me} (\to gar thelein parakeitai moi\). Present middle indicative of \parakeimai\, old verb, to lie beside, at hand, with dative \moi\. Only here in N.T. {The wishing} is the better self, {the doing not} the lower self.

rwp@Romans:7:19 @{But the evil which I would not} (\alla ho ou thel“ kakon\). Incorporation of the antecedent into the relative clause, "what evil I do not wish." An extreme case of this practise of evil is seen in the drunkard or the dope-fiend.

rwp@Romans:7:20 @{It is no more I that do it} (\ouketi eg“ katergazomai auto\). Just as in verse 17|, "no longer do I do it" (the real \Ego\, my better self), and yet there is responsibility and guilt for the struggle goes on.

rwp@Romans:7:21 @{The law} (\ton nomon\). The principle already set forth (\ara\, accordingly) in verses 18,19|. This is the way it works, but there is no surcease for the stings of conscience.

rwp@Romans:7:22 @{For I delight in} (\sunˆdomai gar\). Old verb, here alone in N.T., with associative instrumental case, "I rejoice with the law of God," my real self "after the inward man" (\kata ton es“ anthr“pon\) of the conscience as opposed to "the outward man" (2Corinthians:4:16; strkjv@Ephesians:3:16|).

rwp@Romans:7:23 @{A different law} (\heteron nomon\). For the distinction between \heteros\ and \allos\, see strkjv@Galatians:1:6f|. {Warring against} (\antistrateuomenon\). Rare verb (_Xenophon_) to carry on a campaign against. Only here in N.T. {The law of my mind} (\t“i nom“i tou noos\). The reflective intelligence Paul means by \noos\, "the inward man" of verse 22|. It is this higher self that agrees that the law of God is good (12,16,22|). {Bringing me into captivity} (\aichmal“tizonta\). See on this late and vivid verb for capture and slavery strkjv@Luke:21:24; strkjv@2Corinthians:10:5|. Surely it is a tragic picture drawn by Paul with this outcome, "sold under sin" (14|), "captivity to the law of sin" (23|). The ancient writers (Plato, Ovid, Seneca, Epictetus) describe the same dual struggle in man between his conscience and his deeds.

rwp@Romans:7:24 @{O wretched man that I am} (\talaip“ros eg“ anthr“pos\). "Wretched man I." Old adjective from \tla“\, to bear, and \p“ros\, a callus. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Revelation:3:17|. "A heart-rending cry from the depths of despair" (Sanday and Headlam). {Out of the body of this death} (\ek tou s“matos tou thanatou toutou\). Songs:the order of words demands. See verse 13| for "death" which finds a lodgment in the body (Lightfoot). If one feels that Paul has exaggerated his own condition, he has only to recall strkjv@1Timothy:1:15| when he describes himself a chief of sinners. He dealt too honestly with himself for Pharisaic complacency to live long.

rwp@Romans:7:25 @{I thank God} (\charis t“i the“i\). "Thanks to God." Note of victory over death through Jesus Christ our Lord." {Songs:then I myself} (\ara oun autos eg“\). His whole self in his unregenerate state gives a divided service as he has already shown above. In strkjv@6:1-7:6| Paul proved the obligation to be sanctified. In strkjv@7:7-8:11| he discusses the possibility of sanctification, only for the renewed man by the help of the Holy Spirit.

rwp@Romans:8:1 @{Therefore now} (\ara nun\). Two particles. Points back to the triumphant note in strkjv@7:25| after the preceding despair. {No condemnation} (\ouden katakrima\). As sinners we deserved condemnation in our unregenerate state in spite of the struggle. But God offers pardon "to those in Christ Jesus (\tois en Christ“i Iˆsou\). This is Paul's Gospel. The fire has burned on and around the Cross of Christ. There and there alone is safety. Those in Christ Jesus can lead the consecrated, the crucified, the baptized life.

rwp@Romans:8:2 @{The law of the Spirit of life} (\ho nomos tou pneumatos tˆs z“ˆs\). The principle or authority exercised by the Holy Spirit which bestows life and which rests "in Christ Jesus." {Made me free} (\ˆleuther“sen me\). First aorist active indicative of the old verb \eleuthero“\ for which see strkjv@Galatians:5:1|. Aleph B have \se\ (thee) instead of \me\. It matters little. We are pardoned, we are free from the old law of sin and death (7:7-24|), we are able by the help of the Holy Spirit to live the new life in Christ.

rwp@Romans:8:3 @{That the law could not do} (\to adunaton tou nomou\). Literally, "the impossibility of the law" as shown in strkjv@7:7-24|, either nominative absolute or accusative of general reference. No syntactical connection with the rest of the sentence. {In that} (\en h“i\). "Wherein." {It was weak} (\ˆsthenei\). Imperfect active, continued weak as already shown. {In the likeness of sinful flesh} (\en homoi“mati sarkos hamartias\). For "likeness" see strkjv@Phillipians:2:7|, a real man, but more than man for God's "own Son." Two genitives "of flesh of sin" (marked by sin), that is the flesh of man is, but not the flesh of Jesus. {And for sin} (\kai peri hamartias\). Condensed phrase, God sent his Son also concerning sin (our sin). {Condemned sin in the flesh} (\katekrine tˆn hamartian en tˆi sarki\). First aorist active indicative of \katakrin“\. He condemned the sin of men and the condemnation took place in the flesh of Jesus. If the article \tˆn\ had been repeated before \en tˆi sarki\ Paul would have affirmed sin in the flesh of Jesus, but he carefully avoided that (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 784).

rwp@Romans:8:4 @{The ordinance of the law} (\to dikai“ma tou nomou\). "The requirement of the law." {Might be fulfilled} (\hina pler“thˆi\). Purpose of the death of Christ by \hina\ and first aorist passive subjunctive of \plˆro“\. Christ met it all in our stead (3:21-26|). {Not after the flesh, but after the Spirit} (\mˆ kata sarka alla kata pneuma\). The two laws of life (\kata sarka\ in strkjv@7:7-24|, \kata pneuma\ strkjv@8:1-11|). Most likely the Holy Spirit or else the renewed spirit of man.

rwp@Romans:8:5 @{Do mind} (\phronousin\). Present active indicative of \phrone“\, to think, to put the mind (\phrˆn\) on. See strkjv@Matthew:16:23; strkjv@Romans:12:16|. For the contrast between \sarx\ and \pneuma\, see strkjv@Galatians:5:16-24|.

rwp@Romans:8:6 @{The mind} (\to phronˆma\). The bent or will of the flesh is death as shown in strkjv@7:7-24|. {Life} (\z“ˆ\). In contrast with "death." {Peace} (\eirˆnˆ\). As seen in strkjv@5:1-5|.

rwp@Romans:8:7 @{Is not subject} (\ouch hupotassetai\). Present passive indicative of \hupotass“\, late verb, military term for subjection to orders. Present tense here means continued insubordination. {Neither indeed can it be} (\oude gar dunatai\). "For it is not even able to do otherwise." This helpless state of the unregenerate man Paul has shown above apart from Christ. Hope lies in Christ (7:25|) and the Spirit of life (8:2|).

rwp@Romans:8:8 @{Cannot please God} (\the“i aresai ou dunantai\). Because of the handicap of the lower self in bondage to sin. This does not mean that the sinner has no responsibility and cannot be saved. He is responsible and can be saved by the change of heart through the Holy Spirit.

rwp@Romans:8:9 @{Not in the flesh} (\ouk en sarki\). Not sold under sin (7:14|) any more. {But in the spirit} (\alla en pneumati\). Probably, "in the Holy Spirit." It is not Pantheism or Buddhism that Paul here teaches, but the mystical union of the believer with Christ in the Holy Spirit. {If so be that} (\eiper\). "If as is the fact" (cf. strkjv@3:30|). {The Spirit of Christ} (\pneuma Christou\). The same as "the Spirit of God" just before. See also strkjv@Phillipians:1:19; strkjv@1Peter:1:11|. Incidental argument for the Deity of Christ and probably the meaning of strkjv@2Corinthians:3:18| "the Spirit of the Lord." Condition of first class, assumed as true.

rwp@Romans:8:10 @{The body is dead} (\to men s“ma nekron\). Has the seeds of death in it and will die "because of sin." {The spirit is life} (\to de pneuma z“ˆ\). The redeemed human spirit. He uses \z“ˆ\ (life) instead of \z“sa\ (living), "God-begotten, God-sustained life" (Denney), if Christ is in you.

rwp@Romans:8:11 @{Shall quicken} (\z“opoiˆsei\). Future active indicative of \z“opoie“\, late verb from \z“opoios\, making alive. See on ¯1Corinthians:15:22|. {Through his Spirit} (\dia tou pneumatos\). B D L have \dia to pneuma\ (because of the Spirit). Both ideas are true, though the genitive is slightly more probably correct.

rwp@Romans:8:12 @{We are debtors} (\opheiletai esmen\). See on ¯Galatians:5:3; strkjv@Romans:1:14|. {Not to the flesh} (\ou tˆi sarki\). Negative \ou\ goes with preceding verb and \tˆi sarki\, not with the infinitive \tou zˆin\.

rwp@Romans:8:13 @{Ye must die} (\mellete apothnˆskein\). Present indicative of \mell“\, to be about to do and present active infinitive of \apothnˆsk“\, to die. "Ye are on the point of dying." Eternal death. {By the spirit} (\pneumati\). Holy Spirit, instrumental case. {Ye shall live} (\zˆsesthe\). Future active indicative of \za“\. Eternal life.

rwp@Romans:8:14 @{Sons of God} (\huioi theou\). In the full sense of this term. In verse 16| we have \tekna theou\ (children of God). Hence no great distinction can be drawn between \huios\ and \teknon\. The truth is that \huios\ is used in various ways in the New Testament. In the highest sense, not true of any one else, Jesus Christ is God's Son (8:3|). But in the widest sense all men are "the offspring" (\genos\) of God as shown in strkjv@Acts:17:28| by Paul. But in the special sense here only those are "sons of God" who are led by the Spirit of God, those born again (the second birth) both Jews and Gentiles, "the sons of Abraham" (\huioi Abraam\, strkjv@Galatians:3:7|), the children of faith.

rwp@Romans:8:15 @{The spirit of adoption} (\pneuma huiothesias\). See on this term \huiothesia\, strkjv@Galatians:4:5|. Both Jews and Gentiles receive this "adoption" into the family of God with all its privileges. "{Whereby we cry, Abba, Father}" (\en hˆi krazomen Abbƒ ho patˆr\). See strkjv@Galatians:4:6| for discussion of this double use of Father as the child's privilege.

rwp@Romans:8:16 @{The Spirit himself} (\auto to pneuma\). The grammatical gender of \pneuma\ is neuter as here, but the Greek used also the natural gender as we do exclusively as in strkjv@John:16:13| \ekeinos\ (masculine {he}), \to pneuma\ (neuter). See also strkjv@John:16:26| (\ho--ekeinos\). It is a grave mistake to use the neuter "it" or "itself" when referring to the Holy Spirit. {Beareth witness with our spirit} (\summarturei t“i pneumati hˆm“n\). See on ¯Romans:2:15| for this verb with associative instrumental case. See strkjv@1John:5:10f.| for this double witness.

rwp@Romans:8:17 @{Joint-heirs with Christ} (\sunklˆronomoi Christou\). A late rare double compound, in Philo, an Ephesian inscription of the imperial period (Deissmann, _Light from the Ancient East_, p. 92), papyri of the Byzantine period. See strkjv@8:29| for this idea expanded. Paul is fond of compounds of \sun\, three in this verse (\sunklˆronomoi, sunpasch“men, sundoxasth“men\). The last (first aorist passive subjunctive of \sundoxaz“\ with \hina\ (purpose), late and rare, here only in N.T.

rwp@Romans:8:18 @{To us-ward} (\eis hˆmƒs\). We shall be included in the radiance of the coming glory which will put in the shadow the present sufferings. Precisely the same idiom here with \mellousan doxan\ (aorist passive infinitive of \apokaluphthˆnai\) occurs in strkjv@Galatians:3:23| with \mellousan pistin\, which see.

rwp@Romans:8:19 @{The earnest expectation of creation} (\hˆ apokaradokia tˆs ktise“s\). This substantive has so far been found nowhere save here and strkjv@Phillipians:1:20|, though the verb \apokaradoke“\ is common in Polybius and Plutarch. Milligan (_Vocabulary_) thinks that Paul may have made the substantive from the verb. It is a double compound (\apo\, off from, \kara\, head, \doke“\, Ionic verb, to watch), hence to watch eagerly with outstretched head. {Waiteth for} (\apekdechetai\). See on ¯1Corinthians:1:7; strkjv@Galatians:5:5| for this rare word (possibly formed by Paul, Milligan). "To wait it out" (Thayer). {The revealing of the sons of God} (\tˆn apokalupsin t“n hui“n tou theou\). Cf. strkjv@1John:3:2; strkjv@2Thessalonians:2:8; strkjv@Colossians:3:4|. This mystical sympathy of physical nature with the work of grace is beyond the comprehension of most of us. But who can disprove it?

rwp@Romans:8:20 @{Was subjected} (\hupetagˆ\). Second aorist passive indicative of \hupatass“\ (cf. verse 7|). {To vanity} (\tˆi mataiotˆti\). Dative case. Rare and late word, common in LXX. From \mataios\, empty, vain. strkjv@Ephesians:4:17; strkjv@2Peter:2:18|. {Not of its own will} (\ouch hekousa\). Common adjective, in N.T. only here and strkjv@1Corinthians:9:27|. It was due to the effect of man's sin. {But by reason of him} (\alla dia ton\). Because of God. {In hope that} (\eph' helpidi hoti\). Note the form \helpidi\ rather than the usual \elpidi\ and so \eph'\. \Hoti\ can be causal "because" instead of declarative "that."

rwp@Romans:8:21 @{The creation itself} (\autˆ hˆ ktisis\). It is the hope of creation, not of the Creator. Nature "possesses in the feeling of her unmerited suffering a sort of presentiment of her future deliverance" (Godet).

rwp@Romans:8:22 @{Groaneth and travaileth in pain} (\sunstenazei kai sun“dinei\). Two more compounds with \sun\. Both rare and both here alone in N.T. Nature is pictured in the pangs of childbirth.

rwp@Romans:8:23 @{The first fruits} (\tˆn aparchˆn\). Old and common metaphor. {Of the Spirit} (\tou pneumatos\). The genitive of apposition. The Holy Spirit came on the great Pentecost and his blessings continue as seen in the "gifts" in strkjv@1Corinthians:12-14|, in the moral and spiritual gifts of strkjv@Galatians:5:22f|. And greater ones are to come (1Corinthians:15:44ff.|). {Even we ourselves} (\kai autoi\). He repeats for emphasis. We have our "groaning" (\stenazomen\) as well as nature. {Waiting for} (\apekdechomenoi\). The same verb used of nature in verse 19|. {Our adoption} (\huiothesian\). Our full "adoption" (see verse 15|), "the redemption of our body" (\tˆn apolutr“sin tou s“matos hˆm“n\). That is to come also. Then we shall have complete redemption of both soul and body.

rwp@Romans:8:24 @{For by hope were we saved} (\tˆi gar elpidi es“thˆmen\). First aorist passive indicative of \s“z“\. The case of \elpidi\ is not certain, the form being the same for locative, instrumental and dative. Curiously enough either makes good sense in this context: "We were saved in hope, by hope, for hope" (of the redemption of the body).

rwp@Romans:8:25 @{With patience} (\di' hupomonˆs\). Paul repeats the verb \apekdechomai\ of verse 23|.

rwp@Romans:8:26 @{Helpeth our infirmity} (\sunantilambanetai tˆi astheneiƒi hˆm“n\). Present middle indicative of \sunantilambanomai\, late and striking double compound (Diodorus, LXX, Josephus, frequent in inscriptions, Deissmann, _Light, etc._, p. 87), to lend a hand together with, at the same time with one. Only twice in N.T., here and strkjv@Luke:10:40| in Martha's plea for Mary's help. Here beautifully Paul pictures the Holy Spirit taking hold at our side at the very time of our weakness (associative instrumental case) and before too late. {How to pray} (\to ti proseux“metha\). Articular clause object of \oidamen\ (we know) and indirect question with the deliberative aorist middle subjunctive \proseux“metha\, retained in the indirect question. {As we ought} (\katho dei\). "As it is necessary." How true this is of all of us in our praying. {Maketh intercession} (\huperentugchanei\). Present active indicative of late double compound, found only here and in later ecclesiastical writers, but \entugchan“\ occurs in verse 27| (a common verb). It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who "happens on" (\entugchanei\) one who is in trouble and "in his behalf" (\huper\) pleads "with unuttered groanings" (instrumental case) or with "sighs that baffle words" (Denney). This is work of our Helper, the Spirit himself.

rwp@Romans:8:27 @{He that searcheth} (\ho eraun“n\). God (1Samuel:16:7|). {According to the will of God} (\kata theon\). See strkjv@2Corinthians:7:9-11| for this phrase \kata theon\ (according to God). The Holy Spirit is the "other Paraclete" (John:14:16|) who pleads God's cause with us as Christ is our Paraclete with the Father (1John:2:1|). But more is true as here, for the Holy Spirit interprets our prayers to God and "makes intercession for us in accord with God's will."

rwp@Romans:8:28 @{All things work together} (\panta sunergei\). A B have \ho theos\ as the subject of \sunergei\ (old verb, see on ¯1Corinthians:16:16; strkjv@2Corinthians:6:1|). That is the idea anyhow. It is God who makes "all things work together" in our lives "for good" (\eis agathon\), ultimate good. {According to his purpose} (\kata prothesin\). Old word, seen already in strkjv@Acts:27:13| and for "shewbread" in strkjv@Matthew:12:4|. The verb \protithˆmi\ Paul uses in strkjv@3:24| for God's purpose. Paul accepts fully human free agency but behind it all and through it all runs God's sovereignty as here and on its gracious side (9:11; strkjv@3:11; strkjv@2Timothy:1:9|).

rwp@Romans:8:29 @{Foreknew} (\proegn“\). Second aorist active indicative of \progin“sk“\, old verb as in strkjv@Acts:26:5|. See strkjv@Psalms:1:6| (LXX) and strkjv@Matthew:7:23|. This fore-knowledge and choice is placed in eternity in strkjv@Ephesians:1:4|. {He foreordained} (\pro“risen\). First aorist active indicative of \prooriz“\, late verb to appoint beforehand as in strkjv@Acts:4:28; strkjv@1Corinthians:2:7|. Another compound with \pro-\ (for eternity). {Conformed to the image} (\summorphous tˆs eikonos\). Late adjective from \sun\ and \morphˆ\ and so an inward and not merely superficial conformity. \Eik“n\ is used of Christ as the very image of the Father (2Corinthians:4:4; strkjv@Colossians:1:15|). See strkjv@Phillipians:2:6f.| for \morphˆ\. Here we have both \morphˆ\ and \eik“n\ to express the gradual change in us till we acquire the likeness of Christ the Son of God so that we ourselves shall ultimately have the family likeness of sons of God. Glorious destiny. {That he might be} (\eis to einai auton\). Common idiom for purpose. {First born among many brethren} (\pr“totokon en pollois adelphois\). Christ is "first born" of all creation (Colossians:1:15|), but here he is "first born from the dead" (Colossians:1:18|), the Eldest Brother in this family of God's sons, though "Son" in a sense not true of us.

rwp@Romans:8:30 @{Called} (\ekalesen\) {--Justified} (\edikai“sen\) {--Glorified} (\edoxasen\). All first aorist active indicatives of common verbs (\kale“, dikaio“, doxaz“\). But the glorification is stated as already consummated (constative aorists, all of them), though still in the future in the fullest sense. "The step implied in \edoxasen\ is both complete and certain in the Divine counsels" (Sanday and Headlam).

rwp@Romans:8:31 @{For these things} (\pros tauta\). From strkjv@8:12| on Paul has made a triumphant presentation of the reasons for the certainty of final sanctification of the sons of God. He has reached the climax with glorification (\edoxasen\ in verse 30|). But Paul lets the objector have his say as he usually does so that in verses 31-39| he considers the objections. {If God is for us, who is against us?} (\ei ho theos huper hˆm“n, tis kath' hˆm“n?\). This condition of the first class carries Paul's challenge to all doubters. There is no one on a par with God. Note the two prepositions in contrast (\huper\, over, \kata\, down or against).

rwp@Romans:8:32 @{He that} (\hos ge\). "Who as much as this" (\ge\ here magnifying the deed, intensive particle). {Spared not} (\ouk epheisato\). First aorist middle of \pheidomai\, old verb used about the offering of Isaac in strkjv@Genesis:22:16|. See strkjv@Acts:20:29|. {Also with him} (\kai sun aut“i\). The gift of "his own son" is the promise and the pledge of the all things for good of verse 28|. Christ is all and carries all with him.

rwp@Romans:8:33 @{Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?} (\tis egkalesei kata eklekt“n theou?\). Future active indicative of \egkale“\, old verb, to come forward as accuser (forensic term) in case in court, to impeach, as in strkjv@Acts:19:40; strkjv@23:29; strkjv@26:2|, the only N.T. examples. Satan is the great Accuser of the brethren. {It is God that justifieth} (\theos ho dikai“n\). God is the Judge who sets us right according to his plan for justification (3:21-31|). The Accuser must face the Judge with his charges.

rwp@Romans:8:34 @{Shall condemn} (\katakrin“n\). Can be either present active participle (condemns) or the future (shall condemn). It is a bold accuser who can face God with false charges or with true ones for that matter for we have an "Advocate" at God's Court (1John:2:1|), "who is at the right hand of God" (\hos estin en dexiƒi tou theou\) "who also maketh intercession for us" (\hos kai entugchanei huper hˆm“n\). Our Advocate paid the debt for our sins with his blood. The score is settled. We are free (8:1|).

rwp@Romans:8:35 @{Shall separate} (\ch“risei\). Future active of old verb \choriz“\ from adverb \ch“ris\ and that from \ch“ra\, space. Can any one put a distance between Christ's love and us (objective genitive)? Can any one lead Christ to cease loving us? Such things do happen between husband and wife, alas. Paul changes the figure from "who" (\tis\) to "what" (\ti\). The items mentioned will not make Christ love us less. Paul here glories in tribulations as in strkjv@5:3ff|.

rwp@Romans:8:36 @{Even as it is written} (\kath“s gegraptai\). He quotes strkjv@Psalms:44:23|. {We are killed} (\thanatoumetha\). Present passive indicative of \thanato“\ for which see on ¯7:4|. Same idea of continuous martyrdom in strkjv@1Corinthians:15:31|. {As sheep for the slaughter} (\h“s probata sphagˆs\). Objective genitive (\sphagˆs\).

rwp@Romans:8:37 @{Nay} (\alla\). On the contrary, we shall not be separated. {We are more than conquerors} (\hupernik“men\). Late and rare compound. Here only in N.T. "We gain a surpassing victory through the one who loved us."

rwp@Romans:8:38 @{For I am persuaded} (\pepeismai gar\). Perfect passive participle of \peith“\, "I stand convinced." The items mentioned are those that people dread (life, death, supernatural powers, above, below, any creature to cover any omissions).

rwp@Romans:8:39 @{To separate us} (\hˆmƒs ch“risai\). Aorist active infinitive of \choriz“\ (same verb as in 35|). God's love is victor over all possible foes, "God's love that is in Christ Jesus." Paul has reached the mountain top. He has really completed his great argument concerning the God-kind of righteousness save for its bearing on some special problems. The first of these concerns the fact that the Jews (God's chosen people) have so largely rejected the gospel (chapters 9-11|).

rwp@Romans:9:1 @{In Christ} (\en Christ“i\). 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 (\sunmarturousˆs\, genitive absolute as in strkjv@2:15| which see) "in the Holy Spirit."

rwp@Romans:9:2 @{Sorrow} (\lupˆ\). 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 odunˆ tˆi kardiƒi\). Like _angina pectoris_. \Odunˆ\ 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} (\ˆuchomˆn\). Idiomatic imperfect, "I was on the point of wishing." We can see that \euchomai\ (I do wish) would be wrong to say. \An ˆuchomˆn\ would mean that he does not wish (conclusion of second class condition). \An ˆuchomˆn\ 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 \anathˆma\ (offering) strkjv@1Corinthians:12:3; strkjv@Galatians:1:8f.| {I myself} (\autos eg“\). Nominative with the infinitive \einai\ and agreeing with subject of \ˆuchomˆn\. {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} (\Israˆleitai\). Covenant name of the chosen people. {Whose} (\h“n\). Predicate genitive of the relative, used also again with \hoi pateres\. For "the adoption" (\hˆ huiothesia\) see strkjv@8:15|. {The glory} (\hˆ doxa\). The Shekinah Glory of God (3:23|) and used of Jesus in strkjv@James:2:1|. {The covenants} (\hai diathˆkai\). 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} (\hˆ nomothesia\). Old word, here only in N.T., from \nomos\ and \tithˆmi\. {The service} (\hˆ 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 h“n\). 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 pant“n theos eulogˆtos\). 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} (\ekpept“ken\). 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 Israˆl houtoi Israˆl\). "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 tˆs 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 koitˆn echousa\). By metonomy with cause for the effect we have this peculiar idiom (\koitˆ\ 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} (\mˆp“ gennˆthent“n\). Genitive absolute with first aorist passive participle of \genna“\, to beget, to be born, though no word for children nor even the pronoun \aut“n\ (they). {Neither having done anything good or bad} (\mˆde praxant“n ti agathon ˆ phaulon\). Genitive absolute again with first active participle of \prass“\. On \phaulon\, see strkjv@2Corinthians:5:10|. {The purpose of God} (\hˆ prothesis tou theou\). See strkjv@8:28| for \prothesis\. {According to election} (\kat' eklogˆn\). 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 erg“n\). 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 emisˆsa\). 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?} (\mˆ adikia para t“i the“i?\). Paul goes right to the heart of the problem. \Mˆ\ 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} (\t“i M“usei 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 ele“ntos\) can be understood as in the genitive with \eleos\ understood (mercy is not a quality of) or as the predicate ablative of source like \epiluse“s\ in strkjv@2Peter:1:20|. Paul is fond of the metaphor of running.

rwp@Romans:9:17 @{To Pharaoh} (\t“i 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} (\diaggelˆi\). Second aorist passive subjunctive of \diaggell“\.

rwp@Romans:9:18 @{He hardeneth} (\sklˆrunei\). 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} (\t“i boulˆmati autou anthestˆken\). Perfect active indicative of \anthistˆmi\, old verb, maintains a stand (the perfect tense). Many have attempted to resist God's will (\boulˆma\, deliberate purpose, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Acts:27:43; strkjv@1Peter:4:3|). Elsewhere \thelˆma\ (Matthew:6:10|).

rwp@Romans:9:20 @{Nay, but, O man, who art thou?} (\O anthr“pe, 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 (\t“i 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|). \Mˆ\ expects a negative answer. {Why didst thou make me thus?} (\ti me epoiˆsas hout“s?\). 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" (\hout“s\). 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?} (\ˆ ouk echei exousian ho kerameus tou pˆlou?\). This question, expecting an affirmative answer, is Paul's reply to the previous one, "Why didst thou make me thus?" \Pˆlos\, 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} (\thel“n\). Concessive use of the participle, "although willing," not causal, "because willing" as is shown by "with much long-suffering" (\en pollˆi makrothumiƒi\, in much long-suffering). {His power} (\to dunaton autou\). Neuter singular of the verbal adjective rather than the substantive \dunamin\. {Endured} (\ˆnegken\). Constative second aorist active indicative of the old defective verb \pher“\, to bear. {Vessels of wrath} (\skeuˆ orgˆs\). The words occur in strkjv@Jeremiah:50:25| (LXX strkjv@Jeremiah:27:25|), but not in the sense here (objective genitive like \tekna orgˆs\, strkjv@Ephesians:2:3|, the objects of God's wrath). {Fitted} (\katˆrtismena\). 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 ap“leian\). Endless perdition (Matthew:7:13; strkjv@2Thessalonians:2:3; strkjv@Phillipians:3:19|), not annihilation.

rwp@Romans:9:23 @{Vessels of mercy} (\skeuˆ eleous\). Objective genitive like \skeuˆ orgˆs\. {Afore prepared} (\proˆtoimasen\). 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 ethn“n\). 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 t“i H“sˆe\). 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} (\tˆn ouk ˆgapˆmenˆn\). 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 \mˆ\ 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 s“thˆsetai\). First future passive of \s“z“\. 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} (\suntel“n kai suntemn“n\). 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} (\proeirˆken\). 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 egenˆthˆmen\ and \an h“moi“thˆmen\ 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 \di“k“\ (to pursue). It was a curious paradox. {Which is of faith} (\tˆn ek piste“s\). 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 \edi“xa\ (pursued) from verse 31|. That explains the rest. {They stumbled at the stone of stumbling} (\prosekopsan t“i lith“i 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.

rwp@Romans:10:1 @{Desire} (\eudokia\). No papyri examples of this word, though \eudokˆsis\ occurs, only in LXX and N.T., but no example for "desire" unless this is one, though the verb \eudoke“\ is common in Polybius, Diodorus, Dion, Hal. It means will, pleasure, satisfaction (Matthew:11:26; strkjv@2Thessalonians:1:11; strkjv@Phillipians:1:15; strkjv@2:13; strkjv@Ephesians:1:5,9|). {Supplication} (\deˆsis\). Late word from \deomai\, to want, to beg, to pray. In the papyri. See strkjv@Luke:1:13|. It is noteworthy that, immediately after the discussion of the rejection of Christ by the Jews, Paul prays so earnestly for the Jews "that they may be saved" (\eis s“tˆrian\), literally "unto salvation." Clearly Paul did not feel that the case was hopeless for them in spite of their conduct. Bengel says: _Non orasset Paul si absolute reprobati essent_ (Paul would not have prayed if they had been absolutely reprobate). Paul leaves God's problem to him and pours out his prayer for the Jews in accordance with his strong words in strkjv@9:1-5|.

Seeker Overlay: Off On

[BookofRomans] [Romans:0] [Romans:1-9 ] [Romans:2] [Discuss] Tag Romans:1-9 [Audio][Presentation]
Bible:
Bible:
Book:

[pBiblx2]
Fri Jul 5 00:04:47 2024
pBiblx2 Field Wise Bible System Version 2.1.9 - GPL3 2009-2020