Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 9 · Section 1
1. The text with the diuerse readings.
v. 1. I say the truth in Christ (Iesus. L. ad.) I lie not, my conscience bearing me witnesse by the holy Ghost, Be. B. V. (in the holy Ghost. Gr. G. L.)
2. That I hauehave great heauinesse, and continuall sorrow in mine heart.
3. For I my selfe would wish to be seperated (to be an anatbema. V. L. S. cursed. B.) from Christ, for my brethren, that are my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Which are the Israelites, whose is (to whom pertaineth. B. G.) the adoption, and the …orie, and the Couenants, (testament. L.) and the giuing of the lawe, (the lawe that was gren. B.) and the worship (or seruice of God. G. B. inserted for explanation) and the pro…es.
5 Of whom are the fathers, and of whom concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is G… ouer all (in all. V.) blessed for euer, Amen.
6 Notwithstanding it cannot be, that the word should be of none effect: (fall away; Gr. for all, which are of Israel (of the circumcision of Israel. L. of the father Israel. Be. ad.) re not Israel. (Israelites. B.)
7 Neither, because they are the seede of Abraham, are all children: but in Izaak shall thy sede be called.
8 That is, not they which are the children of the flesh, are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seede.
9 For this is a word of promise: In this same time will I come, and Sarah shall hauehave a sonne, (to Sarah a sonne. Gr.)
10 And not onelyonly shee L. (that is, Sarah, he, that is, Abraham. Be.G. thus V. S. B. but it is better referred to Sarah immediately before spoken of, and Rebekah an other mother of Israel is brought in.) but also Rebekah (felt this. G. receiued this promise.) when she had conceiued by one, Izaak our father.
11 For the children not yet beeing borne, neither hauing done good or euill, that the purpose of God might remaine according to election; not of workes, but of him that calleth: (of the caller. Gr.)
12 It was said vntounto her, the elder shall serue the younger. (the greater the lesse. Gr.)
13 As it is written, Iacob hauehave I loued, and Esau hauehave I hated.
14 What shall we say then, is there (any. B.) vnrighteousnesse with God? God forbid. (let it not be. Gr.)
15 For he saith to Moses, I shall hauehave merciemercy, on whomsoeuer I will shew merciemercy: and I shall hauehave compassion, on whomsoeuer I will hauehave compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, (in him. G.) or of him, that runneth, (of the willer, of the runner. Gr.) but of God that sheweth merciemercy.
17 For the Scripture saith vntounto Pharaoh, For this purpose hauehave I stirred thee vp, that I might shewe my power in thee, and that my name might be declared thoroughout all the earth.
18 Therefore he hath merciemercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then vntounto me, why doth he (not of whom or what. S.) yet complaine? (blame. B. is angrie. Be. foreign, complaine.) for who hath resisted his will?
20 But who art thou O man, which pleadest against God? (disputest with God. G. answearest God. L. V.) shall the thing formed (the masse or lumpe. S. the worke. B.) say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power of the clay Be. S. B. G. (not the potter of the clay power. L.V.) of the same lumpe to make one vessell vntounto honour, and another to dishonour?
22 What if God to shewe his wrath (would to shewe his wrath. G.) and to make his power knowne, suffred (or sustained. L.) with much lenitie. B. (patience L. B. G. long animitie… V.Gr. foreign,) the vessels of wrath fitted. L. (perfited. S. ordayned. B. prepared. G. compounded. Be. Gr. so the word foreign signifieth) to destruction.
23 And that he might make knowne (declare. B. G. shewe. L.) the riches of his glorie vponupon the vessels of merciemercy, which he hath prepared vntounto glorie.
24 Whom he hath also called, euen vsus. B. Gr. (euen vsus, whom he hath called, G. which trewe that are called. S. but here the order of the words is inverted) not onelyonly of the Iewes, but also of the Gentiles.
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them which are not my people, my people: and her, which was not beloued, beloued. (and she which hath not obtained merciemercy, as obtayning merciemercy. L. ad.)
26 And it shall be (it shall come to passe. B.) in the place, where it was said vntounto them, we are not my people, that there they shall be called the children of the liuing God.
27 Also Esaias cryeth ouer Israel, V. Be. (concerning Israel. B. G. for Israel. L. of Israel, S. but the word is foreign, ouer.) If the number Gr. (though. Be. G. B.) of the children of Israel, were as the sand of the sea, yet shall but a remnant be saued.
28 For the Lord will finish and cut short the count (or summe) in righteousnesse. … (will finish the word. B. V. L. will finish the thing, and cut it off, Be. but he spake of a … summe and remainder before, and therefore foreign, may be here interpreted, the count.) be the Lord will make a short count (a short word. Be. L. V. a concise matter. Be.) in he earth.
29 And as Esaias said before, except the Lord of hostes had left vsus a seede, (a rem…nt. S.) we had beene as Sodome, and had beene like vntounto Gomorrha.
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not righteousnesse hauehave apprehended V. Be. L. (attained vntounto. G. obtained. B. S. foreign, apprehended) righteousnesse, euen the righteousnesse, (which is) of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed the lawe of righteousnesse, hath not attained (o come. Be. V. L.) vntounto the lawe of righteousnesse.
32 Wherefore, because they sought it not by faith, but by the workes of the lawe (by the workes. L. det.) for they hauehave stumbled at the stumbling stone.
33 As it is written, behold I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and a rocke of offence, and euerie one that beleeueth on him, Gr. (in him. G.) shall not be ashamed, (confunded. L.)