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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible

Romans Ch.9 / 16 Ch.s


RO:9

* The apostle's concern that his countrymen were strangers to
the gospel. (1-5) The promises are made good to the spiritual
seed of Abraham. (6-13) Answers to objections against God's
sovereign conduct, in exercising mercy and justice. (14-24) This
sovereignty is in God's dealing both with Jews and Gentiles.
(25-29) The falling short of the Jews is owing to their seeking
justification, not by faith, but by the works of the law.
(30-33)

#1-5 Being about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the
calling of the Gentiles, and to show that the whole agrees with
the sovereign electing love of God, the apostle expresses
strongly his affection for his people. He solemnly appeals to
Christ; and his conscience, enlightened and directed by the Holy
Spirit, bore witness to his sincerity. He would submit to be
treated as "accursed," to be disgraced, crucified; and even for
a time be in the deepest horror and distress; if he could rescue
his nation from the destruction about to come upon them for
their obstinate unbelief. To be insensible to the eternal
condition of our fellow-creatures, is contrary both to 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 grounded thereon, belonged to them. The
temple worship was typical 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 for ever.

#6-13 The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did
not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and
threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the
blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church
privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and
others not, but God therein wrought 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 through 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 perverseness. This
instance of Esau and Jacob throws light upon the Divine conduct
to 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.

#14-24 Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein 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, #Hos 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 will. 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 art thou that art so
foolish, so feeble, so unable to judge the Divine counsels? It
becomes us to submit to him, not to reply against him. Would not
men 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 of the same lump he makes one vessel
to a more honourable, and one to a meaner use? God could do no
wrong, however it might appear to men. 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
hereafter, he fits for heaven now. Would we know who these
vessels of mercy are? Those whom God has called; and these not
of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles. Surely there can be no
unrighteousness in any of these Divine dispensations. Nor 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. As to all who love and fear God, however such truths
appear beyond their reason to fathom, yet they should keep
silence before him. It is the Lord alone who made us to differ;
we should adore his pardoning mercy and new-creating grace, and
give diligence to make our calling and election sure.

#25-29 The rejecting of the Jews, and the taking in the
Gentiles, were foretold in the Old Testament. It tends very much
to the clearing of a truth, to observe how the Scripture is
fulfilled in it. It is a wonder of Divine power and mercy that
there are any saved: for even those left to be a seed, if God
had dealt with them according to their sins, had perished with
the rest. This great truth this Scripture teaches us. Even among
the vast number of professing Christians it is to be feared that
only a remnant will be saved.

#30-33 The Gentiles knew not 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, and believing in him, and submitting to the gospel. The
Jews talked much of justification and holiness, and seemed very
ambitious to be the favourites 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 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 hath
prepared in his own Son.