Romans 10

1 After the testifying of his inclination to the Jews, the Apostle treats more at large of the nearest cause of their rebellion against Christ. 5 Afterwards pts a difference even in the very words of Moses, betwixt the righteousness of the Law, to which the Jews held themselves, and the righteousness of faith which their rejected, and describes them both with their properties.12 Declares further that God now by the preaching of the Gospel in the whole world, calleth both Jews and Greeks to faith in Christ: 16 but that the greater part of the Jews are disobedient to this calling; and that on the contrary the Gentiles obeyed the same, to which he proves to be thus foretold by the Prophets.

1. Brethren the inclination of my heart, and the prayer that (I make) to god for Israel, is for (their) salvation. [That is, that they may be converted, and so saved: which must be understood of them who erred out of ignorance, as appears from the following verse, not to those who sinned against the Holy Ghost of whom Christ speaketh, Matthew 12:31.]

2. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal to God, [Gr. Zeal of God, that is, they have a fervent desire to maintain the Law of God, and the worship of God instituted by Moses, and to withstand those who seemed as if they would alter the same] but not with understanding. [Gr. Not according to knowledge, i.e. not with right knowledge, for what purpose the Law and the worship of God in the old Testament was instituted , as the following verse also imports.]

3. For seeing they know not the righteousness of God, [That is, which God hath revealed in the Gospel, and which God through Christ freely gives us, 2 Cor. 5.21. Philippians 3:6.] and seek to set up [Gr. To set. Here is signified the arrogance of mans mind, that would uphold his own righteousness before God, as the Pharisees, Luke 18:11.12.] their own righteousness, [namely, by their own works, or by the obedience of the Law, wherein notwithstanding they come far short: as is proved of all men, chap.3. and of Abraham and David chapter 4.] they are not subjects to the righteousness of God. [that is, will not subject themselves to it: and therefore they cannot come to the righteousness which will stand before God: as Rom8.7.]

4. For the end of the Law [That is, the aim of giving the Law by Moses, is, that men being thereby brought to the knowledge of their sins, should fly for their refuge unto Christ and his righteousness, as he that hath perfectly fulfilled the Law for us. See Galatians 3:19. etc.] is Christ, for the righteousness to every one that believeth.

5. For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the Law, [In these seven verses following the Apostle puts a clear difference between the righteousness of the Law and of Faith, and proves both one and the other by the words of Moses himself (saying) the man that doth these things [namely, perfectly, and without omitting any thing Deuteronomy 27:26. Gal.3.10. James 2:10.] shall live by the same.

6. But the righteousness which is of Faith speaketh thus, [That is, sounds thus, or thus it is spoken of it, Deuteronomy 30:11.12.] Say not [some thinks that these words are properly spoken by Moses of the commandments of faith, seeing just before he had treated of the circumcision of the heart and true conversion, which properly are promises of the Gospel, and not of the Law. Others think because Paul saith not, Moses speaketh thus, but the righteousness of faith speaketh thus, that these three verses are by Paul applied to Faith by way of accommodation, seeing he also omits some words and some he adds, in this sense; if Moses said this of the commandments of the Law, much more may the same be said of the promise and commands of the Gospel, which are not only easy to be understood as the Law, but also are easier to observe by the power of Gods Spirit, which by the Gospel worketh faith in us, Galatians 3:2.] in thine heart [namely, to fetch us from thence the will of God, concerning our righteousness and salvation] the same is to bring down Christ (from some) [namely, with us Christians its as much as we denied that Christ was descended from Heaven to reveal that way unto us, and to procure us righteousness, and that he must once again come down for his purpose.]

7. Or who shall descend into Abyss? [Namely, there to see how might be redeemed from hell, and to fetch that knowledge from thence] the same is to bring up Christ from the dead. [that is, even as much as if would that Christ should yet once more suffer the pains of death and hell to redeem us; and so arise from thence: which he hath done once already, and is sufficiently revealed unto us.]

8. But what saith it? [Namely, the righteousness which of faith as before v.v6. where he did but answer what it said not, but now he answers what is faith] the word is nigh to thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart. This is the word of faith [that is, of the Gospel, by which we are exhorted and brought to faith, Romans 1:16.] which we [namely, Apostle, as witness and messengers of Christ in his name, 2 Cor. 5.20.] preach.

9. (Namely) if thou shall confess [Namely, uprightly, according to the belief of thy heart: and the Apostle here puts confession before, because that is first known by others] with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, [namely, of thy Lord and Saviour, after the example of Paul, Gal2.20. 1 Tim. 1.v15,16.] and believeth with thy heart, that God hath raised from the dead, [namely, after that he had died for the expatiation of your sins, Romans 4:25.] thou shall be saved.

10. For with the heart men believe unto righteousness, [Namely, as being a means whereby the righteousness of Christ is received, imputed and freely given unto us, Rom. 3.v.24,25. and 4.5.] and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation [true confession is here put as way, whereby we must come unto salvation, which is procured for us by Christ righteousness, Matth. 10.32. and as an evidence of true faith which is hid in the heart, 1 John 4:15.]

11. For the Scripture saith, every one that believeth in him, [Namely, Christ, who is prophesied of by Esay, chapter 28.v16.] he shall not be ashamed the Hebrew word Isaiah 28:16. signifies properly shall not make haste, but in Greek translation is rendered, shall not be ashamed, that is, deceived in his opinion: because he that makes overmuch haste without knowing whither he shall betake himself for refugee, is mostly commonly ashamed or deceived.]

12. For there is no difference neither of Jew nor Greek, [Namely, now in the times of the new Testament, Ephes. 2.13.] For one (and the) same, is Lord of all, [namely, God in Christ. Or the same Lord of all is rich towards all, etc.] being rich [that is, abundantly gracious or bountiful] towards all that call upon him. [namely, through a true faith as followeth. And from hence appears that the word confess, v.9.10. containeth also invocation, which is a principal part of our confession before God and men, Daniel 6:10.]

13. For everyone that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.

14. How then shall they call on (him) in whom they have not believed? [In the rest of this chapter the Apostle declares the means whereby Faith in Christ is obtained. Namely, by the preaching of the Gospel, preached by them that are lawfully sent for this purpose: although the same hath not the fruit it ought in all] And how shall they believe (in him) of they have not heard? [That is, have no knowledge, whereunto they are brought by the hearing required to faith, John 17:3.]] and how shall they hear without one that may preach (to them?) [namely, the word of God. This Greek word Keryssein signifies properly to make proclamation or public declaration, which is made to the Citizens by the City Officers in the Magistrates name, and is here as also everywhere in the Scripture, taken for the publishing of the Gospel, which is made unto men by the Apostles and other teachers in the name of Christ. See Matth..3.1.andchep.4 v.17,23. Mark 1:4,7. and16.15. 2 Cor. 5.19.20.]

15. And how shall they preach [Namely, rightly and duly, by Christ’s authority, and in Christ’s name as before. For otherwise there were also those that ran and prophesy before they were sent, Jerem. 23.21.] if they be not sent? [namely, by him whose word they publish; whether this is extraordinarily by God and Christ himself, or ordinarily by the Churches and their Ministers, who are authorized thereunto by God.] As it is written, how lovely [that is, acceptable. These words are taken out of Esa. 52.7. where is treated of redemption and enlargement of Gods Church by Christ, and of the publishing of that redemption] are the feet of those that publish peace? [namely, with God through Christ. See Romans 5:1. Ephes.2.14.] of those that publish good?

16. But they have not all [Namely, to him the Gospel was preached] been obedient to the Gospel. For Esay saith, Lord who hath believeth our preaching? [Gr. Hearing, whereof see John 12 38.]

17. Therefore Faith is by hearing: and hearing by the word of God. [Namely, that is preached. Or by the command of God who sent them to preach.]

18. But I say, have they not heard it? [Namely, Jews and Gentiles: for speaks for both severally afterwards] Yes truly [namely, they have all truly heard it] their sound is gone forth over the whole Earth, [this place taken out of the 19. Psalm, which all men may have, by beholding the Heavens and the Creatures which are therein, some think also a prophecy in it, of that which should come pass in the Apostles times. But seeing the Apostle doth not properly produce this as foretold by David, as he doth elsewhere, so may this very fitly be taken for a holy accommodation or application of these words to the Apostles purpose, as here before ver.6 the like was seen in the place, deu.30.11.12. and therefore he also changes a word or two therein, which agrees not to his purpose] and their words to the end of the world. [namely, by the Apostles and Evangelists amongst all Nations of the world, even amongst the Gentiles, according to the command of Christ Mat.28.19. Mark16.15. The fulfilling whereof then already came to pass, Romans 1:8. and 15.19. Col.1.6.]

19. But I say, hath not Israel [Here the Apostle proves by three several paces of the Scripture of the old Testament, that the Jews had also heard it as well as the Gentiles, but theat the Gentiles have embraced it, and the Jews for the most part rejected it; And so lays the ground of that which he had purposed to handle in the following Chapter, concerning the receiving of the Gentiles, and rejection of the Jews] understood it? [that is, not heard it? Namely, the word of the Gospel, or of the righteousness of faith] Moses saith first, [namely, to Israel, i.e. to the people of the Jews] I will provoke you to jealouse, [namely, because ye shall see, that I will give the Gentiles, which now are not my people, more advantage in embracing the Gospel in the times of Messiah, than to you Jews who are now my people: and that to punish your unthankful ness, and thereby to call and stir you up to repentance. For jealouse is properly a dissatisfaction which one hath for this, that he seeth another have more part in any ones love or benefit, than he hath himself, whereas he thinketh that it rather or only belongeth to him. See hereafter chap.11 v.11] by (them that are) no people, [namely, of God, as then the Gentiles were not] by a people of no understanding, [so he calls the Gentiles, because they had not the right knowledge of God and his judgments, Psalms 147:19,20.] I will provoke you to wrath.

20. And Esias waxeth bold [That is, speaks yet more boldly concerning the conversion of the Gentiles and their calling, notwithstanding the Jews displeasure] and saith, I was found [namely, by the preaching of the Gospel, and powerful working of my spirit on the Gentiles, who did not seek God, but went on their ways of destruction. See Acts 14:26. and17.30.] of them that sought me not; I was made manifest to them which asked not after me. [that is, who carelessly followed after their ignorance and worldly lusts. See Ephes. 2.1. etc. Tit. 3. ver. 3,4,5.]

21. But against Israel he saith, the whole day have I stretched forth mine hands [namely, to call and invite them unto me and my righteousness. See the like phrase, Prov. 1 . v. 20. etc.] unto a disobedient and gain-saying people. [that is, rebellious, obstinate. See an example, Jer. 44.v.16. Ezekiel 3:7.]