In this chapter are contained an account of the two righteousnesses of faith and works, a summary of the Gospel of Christ, a description of the grace of faith, in the nature, use, and means of it, and several testimonies concerning the calling of the Gentiles; and whereas the apostle knew that…

Brethren, my heart’s desire The apostle having suggested, that a few of the Jews only should be called and saved; that the far greater part should be rejected; that the Israelites who sought for righteousness did not attain it when the Gentiles did, but stumbled and fell at Christ, and would be…

For I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God A zeal for God; for the being and unity of God, against the polytheism and idolatry of the Gentiles; for the word of God, the writings of the Old Testament, of which they were zealous defenders and preservers, and which they diligently read and…

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness Either of the righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel, which is no other than the righteousness of Christ, and which they knew nothing of, the whole Gospel being a sealed book, and wholly hidden from them; or of the righteousness of God required in…

For Christ is the end of the law The apostle here observes that to them which had they known, would have regulated their zeal, removed their ignorance and set them right, in that which they stumbled at, and fell.

For. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, &c.] In this, and some following verses, an account is given of the two righteousnesses before mentioned, called their own and the righteousness of God; and that chiefly in the words of Moses, which is wisely done by the apostle, he and…

But the righteousness which is of faith Or “with respect to the righteousness of faith”; the other righteousness before called the righteousness of God, because God is the author of it, here the righteousness of faith, because that receives it, speaketh on this wise; the selfsame writer who…

But the righteousness which is of faith Or “with respect to the righteousness of faith”; the other righteousness before called the righteousness of God, because God is the author of it, here the righteousness of faith, because that receives it, speaketh on this wise; the selfsame writer who…

But what saith it The Scripture; so some copies, and the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic version read, “what saith the Scripture?” the Arabic version, “what dost thou say?” or “what saith he”, Moses? for what follow are manifestly his words, in , the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy…

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, &c.] That is, if a man shall make a good, sincere, and hearty confession to God, before the church and people of God, and before the world, that Christ is his Lord and Saviour, whom he desires to serve, and to be saved by; and this as…

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness The apostle here explains the nature and use both of faith and confession; as true faith does not lie in the bare assent of the mind to the Gospel, or any truth contained in it, respecting the person and office of Christ, so neither does it lie,…

For the Scripture saith Of this form of expression, or mode of speaking, (See Gill on Rom. 9:17). The passage referred to is , cited before in ; the view with which it is produced is to prove the certain connection between faith and righteousness, and confession and salvation; or in other words, to…

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, &c.] Some reasons are here assigned, confirming the apostle’s sense of the prophet’s words, that everyone that believes in Christ shall be saved; for there is no distinction of nations, no superiority on account of carnal descent, or fleshly…

For whosoever shall call upon the name the Lord This testimony is taken out of and is brought to prove the truth of what the apostle had just suggested, that all that call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, will find him rich and plenteous in mercy, and ready to dispense his grace and…

How then shall they call on him in whom they, have not believed? &c.] The apostle having observed, that whoever, Jew or Gentile, believe in the Lord and call upon his name, shall be saved; and that the same Lord was ready and willing to dispense his grace, without any difference to them; suggests,…

And how shall they preach, except they be sent There is no proper, rightful, regular, and lawful preaching of the word without a mission, which is either extraordinary, or ordinary; extraordinary mission was such as the apostles themselves had; who, as they were called to extraordinary service, had…

But they have not all obeyed the Gospel Who hear it, and to whom it is preached; for though ministers may be regularly sent forth, and rightly preach the Gospel in the purity of it, yet there is no success without the power of God attending it: ministers may preach, and men may hear, and yet not…

So then faith comes by hearing That is, by preaching; for the word hearing is used in the same sense as in the preceding verse; and designs the report of the Gospel, or the preaching of the word, which is the means God makes use of, to convey faith into the hearts of his people; for preachers are…

But I say, have they not heard? &c.] (ואני אומר) , “but I say”, is a phrase frequently used by the Jewish doctors in disputation, either in forming or answering objections.

But I say, did not Israel know? etc.] Some supply the word “God”, did not Israel know God? verily, they did; they knew the being and perfections of God, the unity of God, and the trinity of persons in the divine essence; they knew the will of God, and the right way of worshipping him; for they were…

But Esaias is very bold, and saith The apostle here produces another testimony in proof of this, that the Israelites must needs have some knowledge of this truth, the calling of the Gentiles; since a famous prophet of theirs, Isaiah, also spake out with great freedom; he did not mince the matter,…

But to Israel he saith Or against Israel, or concerning Israel he saith in the same prophecy in . All day long I have stretched forth my hands, unto a disobedient and gainsaying people: very rightly does the apostle apply these words to Israel, as he does the former to the Gentiles; and just in…