Romans 9:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

ROMANS CHAPTER 9 Romans 9:1-5 Paul professeth an unfeigned sorrow for the Jewish nation, Romans 9:6-13 but proveth by instance from Scripture that the promise to Abraham did not necessarily include all his descendants, Romans 9:14-18 asserting that there is no unrighteousness in God's bestowing his unmerited bounty on whom he pleaseth, Romans 9:19-24 and that he was unquestionably free to suspend his judgments, where deserved, either for the more signal display of his power in taking vengeance on some, or of his mercy in calling others to glory. Romans 9:26-29 The calling of the Gentiles, and rejection of the Jews, foretold. Romans 9:30,31 Accordingly, the Gentiles have attained the righteousness of faith, which the Jews refused. Romans 9:32,33 The cause of such refusal. The apostle being about to treat of the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, before he enters upon it, he premiseth a preface, to prepare the minds of the Jews to a patient reading or hearing the same; and in this preface, he solemnly protesteth his love to his nation, and his hearty grief for their rejection, that so it might the better appear, that these things were not written out of any spleen or malice, but out of conscience towards God and the truth. I say truth in Christ; or, by Christ: so the word in is taken, Matthew 5:34-36. This is the form of an oath, which the Scripture elsewhere useth in matters of importance: see Genesis 22:16 Daniel 12:7 Ephesians 4:17. I lie not; this is added for confirmation, or to gain the greater credit to what he said or swore. It was the manner of the Hebrews, to an affirmative to add a negative: see 1 Samuel 3:18 1 Thessalonians 1:20. My conscience also bearing me witness; as being for this purpose placed in man by God, and is instead of a thousand witnesses. In the Holy Ghost; i.e. in the presence of the Holy Ghost, who is privy to what I say, and who is a witness also to the truth thereof: or, as some, by the guidance of the Holy Ghost, who cannot lie.