Romans 2:9 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; Tribulation and anguish - Misery of all descriptions, without the possibility of escape, will this righteous Judge inflict upon every impenitent sinner. The Jew first, as possessing greater privileges, and having abused greater mercies; and also on the Gentile, who, though he had not the same advantages, had what God saw was sufficient for his state; and, having sinned against them, shall have punishment proportioned to his demerit.