John Calvin Commentary Romans 9:1

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit," — Romans 9:1 (ASV)

In this chapter, he begins to remove the obstacles that might have turned people's minds away from Christ. For the Jews, for whom Christ was appointed according to the covenant of the law, not only rejected him but also held him in contempt and, for the most part, hated him.

Therefore, one of two things seemed to follow: either that there was no truth in the divine promise, or that Jesus, whom Paul preached, was not the Lord's Anointed, who had been especially promised to the Jews. Paul fully unties this twofold problem in what follows.

However, he handles this subject in such a way as to abstain from all bitterness against the Jews, so that he might not exasperate their minds. Yet he concedes nothing to them that would harm the gospel, for he allows them their privileges in such a way as not to detract anything from Christ.

But he moves, as it were, abruptly to mention this subject, so that there appears to be no connection in his discourse. However, he enters on this new subject as though he had referred to it before.

This came about as follows: after finishing the doctrine he discussed, he turned his attention to the Jews. Astonished at their unbelief as at something monstrous, he burst out with this sudden declaration, just as if it were a subject he had previously handled. For there was no one to whom this thought would not immediately occur: "If this is the doctrine of the law and the Prophets, why do the Jews so obstinately reject it?"

Furthermore, it was widely known that everything he had said until then about the law of Moses and the grace of Christ was more disliked by the Jews than they were willing for the faith of the Gentiles to be assisted by their consent. It was therefore necessary to remove this obstacle, lest it should hinder the course of the gospel.

Regarding the words I say the truth in Christ, etc.: Since it was an opinion held by most that Paul was, as it were, a sworn enemy to his own nation, and as it was somewhat suspected even by the household of faith that he had taught them to forsake Moses, he uses a preface to prepare his readers' minds before he proceeds to his subject. In this preface, he frees himself from the false suspicion of ill will towards the Jews.

And since the matter was not unworthy of an oath, and since he perceived that his affirmation would hardly be believed otherwise against an already existing prejudice, he declares by an oath that he speaks the truth.

By this example and similar ones (as I reminded you in the first chapter), we should learn that oaths are lawful—that is, when they make believable a truth that needs to be known and would not otherwise be believed.

The expression in Christ, means "according to Christ." By adding I lie not, he signifies that he speaks without fiction or disguise. Regarding the words My conscience testifying to me, etc. By these words he calls his own conscience before the tribunal of God, for he brings in the Spirit as a witness to his inner conviction.

He brought forward the Spirit for this purpose, so that he might more fully testify that he was free and pure from an evil disposition, and that he pleaded the cause of Christ under the guidance and direction of the Spirit of God.

It often happens that a person, blinded by the passions of the flesh (though not intending to deceive), knowingly and willfully obscures the light of truth.

But to swear by the name of God, properly speaking, is to call Him as a witness to confirm what is doubtful, and at the same time to submit ourselves to His judgment if we speak falsely.