Matthew Henry Commentary Romans 9
Matthew Henry Commentary
Romans 9
Matthew Henry Commentary
Romans 9
"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren`s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen." — Romans 9:1-5 (ASV)
Being about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, and to show that this all aligns with the sovereign electing love of God, the apostle strongly expresses his affection for his own people. He solemnly appeals to Christ; and his conscience, enlightened and directed by the Holy Spirit, testified to his sincerity.
He would submit to be treated as “accursed”—to be disgraced and crucified, and even for a time to be in the deepest horror and distress—if he could rescue his nation from the destruction that was about to come upon them for their obstinate unbelief. To be unconcerned about the eternal condition of our fellow human beings is contrary to both the love required by the law and the mercy of the gospel.
They had long been professed worshippers of Jehovah. The law, and the national covenant which was based on it, belonged to them. The temple worship was symbolic of salvation by the Messiah and the means of communion with God. All the promises concerning Christ and his salvation were given to them.
He is not only over all, as Mediator, but he is God blessed forever.
"But [it is] not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: neither, because they are Abraham`s seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." — Romans 9:6-13 (ASV)
The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threats will be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood, nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only were some of Abraham's descendants chosen and others not, but in this God worked according to the counsel of His own will.
God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children of wrath even as others. If left to themselves, they would have continued in sin throughout life; but for wise and holy reasons not made known to us, he purposed to change Jacob's heart and to leave Esau to his perversity. This example of Esau and Jacob sheds light on the divine conduct towards the fallen race of man.
The whole Scripture shows the difference between the professed Christian and the real believer. Outward privileges are bestowed on many who are not the children of God. There is, however, full encouragement to diligent use of the means of grace which God has appointed.
"What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory, [even] us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?" — Romans 9:14-24 (ASV)
Whatever God does, must be just. The way in which the holy, happy people of God differ from others, God's grace alone makes them differ. In this preventing, effectual, distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor whose grace is his own. None have deserved it; so that those who are saved must thank God only; and those who perish must blame themselves only (Hosea 13:9). God is bound no further than he has been pleased to bind himself by his own covenant and promise, which is his revealed will.
And this is that he will receive, and not cast out, those that come to Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming is an anticipating, distinguishing favour to whom he wills. Why does he yet find fault? This is not an objection to be made by the creature against his Creator, by man against God. The truth, as it is in Jesus, abases man as nothing, as less than nothing, and advances God as sovereign Lord of all.
Who are you who are so foolish, so feeble, so unable to judge the Divine counsels? It is fitting for us to submit to him, not to answer him back. Would people not allow the infinite God the same sovereign right to manage the affairs of the creation as the potter exercises in disposing of his clay, when from the same lump he makes one vessel for a more honourable use and another for a less honourable use? God could do no wrong, however it might appear to people.
God will make it appear that he hates sin. Also, he formed vessels filled with mercy. Sanctification is the preparation of the soul for glory. This is God's work. Sinners fit themselves for hell, but it is God who prepares saints for heaven; and all whom God designs for heaven in the future, he fits for heaven now. Do we want to know who these vessels of mercy are?
They are those whom God has called; and these are not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles. Surely there can be no unrighteousness in any of these Divine dispensations. Nor is there unrighteousness in God's exercising long-suffering, patience, and forbearance towards sinners under increasing guilt, before he brings utter destruction upon them. The fault is in the hardened sinner himself.
For all who love and fear God, however such truths may appear beyond their reason to grasp, they should nevertheless remain silent before him. It is the Lord alone who has made us different; we should adore his pardoning mercy and new-creating grace, and be diligent to make our calling and election sure.
"As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved. And it shall be, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God. And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved: for the Lord will execute [his] word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short. And, as Isaiah hath said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah." — Romans 9:25-29 (ASV)
The rejection of the Jews and the inclusion of the Gentiles were foretold in the Old Testament. It greatly clarifies a truth to observe how Scripture is fulfilled in these matters. It is a wonder of Divine power and mercy that any are saved: for even those left as a seed, if God had dealt with them according to their sins, would have perished with the rest. This great truth is what this Scripture teaches us. Even among the vast number of professing Christians, it is feared that only a remnant will be saved.
"What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith: but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at [that] law. Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame." — Romans 9:30-33 (ASV)
The Gentiles did not know their guilt and misery, therefore were not careful to procure a remedy. Yet they attained to righteousness by faith. Not by becoming proselytes to the Jewish religion and submitting to the ceremonial law; but by embracing Christ, believing in Him, and submitting to the gospel. The Jews talked much of justification and holiness and seemed very ambitious to be the favorites of God.
They sought, but not in the right way, not in the humbling way, not in the appointed way. Not by faith, not by embracing Christ, depending upon Christ, and submitting to the gospel. They expected justification by observing the precepts and ceremonies of the law of Moses. The unbelieving Jews had a fair offer of righteousness, life, and salvation made to them upon gospel terms, which they did not like and would not accept.
Have we sought to know how we may be justified before God, seeking that blessing in the way here pointed out, by faith in Christ, as the Lord our Righteousness? Then we shall not be ashamed in that awful day, when all refuges of lies shall be swept away, and the Divine wrath shall overflow every hiding place but that which God has prepared in His own Son.
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