Westminster Annotations, Romans 2 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
Vers. 1. BRethren] The Apostle intending to set forth in the Jews, an example of marvellous obstinacie, beginneth with a sweet insinuation, as it were anoynting the brim of the cup with honey, out of which they were to drinke a bitter potion.
V. 3. For they being ignorant] The ignorance of the law which we ought to know, excuseth none before God; especially, it excuseth not them who are of his houshold.
of Gods righteousnesse] That is, the righteousnesse of Christ, both active and passive, imputed to every beleever.
going about to establish their own righteousnesse] Gr. Tec. being zealous to establish. The first entrance into our vocation to salvation, is to renounce our own righteousnesse: the next to embrace the righteousnesse by Christ which God freely offereth us in the Gospel.
V. 4. For Christ is the end of the law] Christ is said to be the end of the law, partly, because all the ceremonies of the law prefigured him and had reference unto him, as their scope, end, and accomplishment: partly, because by the law ceremoniall, morall, and judiciall, the consciences of all that were under the law were convinced of sinnes, the expiation whereof could no where be found, but in the sacrifice of Christs death. Or Christ may be said to be the end of the law; because the end of the law is perfect righteousnesse, that a man may be justified thereby, which end we cannot attain of our selves through the frailtie of our flesh, but by Christ we attain it, who hath fulfilled the law for us.
for righteousnesse] Gr. to righteousnesse.
to every one] Not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.
V. 5. That the man which doth those things] See Lev. 18. 5. Ezek. 20. 11. Gal. 3. 12.
shall live by them] Gr. in them. In the Greeke it is in them, which is a kinde of Hebraisme, signifying by them, for such is the condition of the law, he that doth the works of the law shall live; but cursed is he that confirmeth not all the works of the law to do them, Deut. 27. 26. To which our Saviours answer to the young man in the Gospel, who demanded of him what he should do to obtain eternall life, agreeth, saying; Keep the commandements: Do this and thou shalt live.
V. 6. Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven] See Deut 30. 12. That the law hath regard, and tendeth to Christ, that is a manifest proof, for that it propoundeth such a condition as can be, and is fulfilled of none but Christ only, which being imputed unto us by faith, our conscience is quieted, so that now no man can aske, Who can ascend up into heaven, or bring us from hell, seeing the Gospel teacheth that both of these are done by Christ, and that for their sakes who with true faith embrace him, who calleth them. Or, God hath so plainly and fully shewed the way of salvation, that we need not seeke further for it, above or below.
V. 8. The word is nigh thee] Deut. 30. 14. By the word Moses understood the law which the Lord published with his own voyce, and Paul applies it to the preaching of the gospel, which was the perfection of the law.
V. 9. the Lord Jesus] Gr. Tec. the Lord Jesus Christ.
V. 10. beleeveth unto righteousnesse] Gr. belief is to righteousnesse. Faith is said to justifie; and further more seeing the confession of the mouth is an effect of faith, and it is the way to come to salvation, it followeth, that faith is also said to save.
V. 11. Whosoever beleeveth on him] See Isa. 28. 16. To beleeve in God, is to y…eld and consent to Gods promise of salvation by Christ, and that not onelyonly in generall, but in particular, that the promises pertain to us, whereupon ariseth a sure trust.
V. 12. difference between, &c.] Gr. distinction of Jew and Greek.
V. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord] See Joel 2. 32. Acts 2. 21. True calling upon the name of God is the testimony of true faith, and true faith of a true vocation, and a true and effectuall vocation or calling, of true election. By calling on Gods name he understandeth the whole worship of the true God.
V. 15. How beautifull are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace] Gr. Tec. who bring glad tydings of good things. See Isa. 52. 7. Nahum. 1. 15.
V. 16. Lord, who hath beleeved our report] See Isa. 53. 1. John 12. 38.
our] Gr. the hearing of us.
report] Or, preaching.
V. 18. But I say, Have they not heard] As for the Jews which have not beleeved, what can be said thereof? Is it for that they have heard nothing of the gospel? Surely, no; for the gospel like unto the Sunne, Psal. 19. 5. hath cast his beams over the whole world: May we not therefore say, that the fault lies in themselves, who rejected that light of saving knowledge which the Gentiles have embraced? The Apostle answereth, verse 19. that it is not to be gainsayed, seeing Moses had protested the very same of old.
their sound went] See Psal. 19. 4. This place is taken out of Psal. 19 4. and is properly meant of that knowledge of God which all men may have by contemplation of the heavens, and the creatures therein; yet it is by the Apostle very fitly applyed to the sound of the word preached by the Apostles.
V. 19. Did not Israel know] Or, Hath not Israel known.
I will provoke you] See Deut. 32. 21.
them that are no people] He calleth the Heathen no people, because they are not said to live, but to die, who are appointed for everlasting condemnation: Or else we are to understand the Pronoune my, and the sense is this, I will provoke you to jealousie by a people, that is not my people, that is, not comprised within my covenant.
V. 20 I was found] Or, I have been found. See Isa. 65. 1.
I was made] Or, I have been made.
All day long, &c.] See Isa 65. 2.