John Bengel Commentary - Romans 3:28 - 3:28

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John Bengel Commentary - Romans 3:28 - 3:28


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Rom 3:28. Λογιζόμεθα γὰρ) γὰρ for οὖν, in this sense: So far as regards these things; for we wished to set it forth as fully proved, that it is by faith, etc. Most copies read οὖν,[40] but it seems to have been repeated from Rom 3:27, and ΓᾺΡ serves the purpose of the argument against boasting, which is now deduced from justification through faith, Rom 3:22.-ΠΊΣΤΕΙ, by faith) Luther, allein durch den glauben; by faith alone, or rather only by faith, as he himself explains, T. V. Jen. f. 141. Arithmetically expressed the demonstration stands thus:-

[40] BC and both Syr. Versions with Rec. Text οὖν. But AΛGfg Vulg. and Memph. Vers. read γάρ.-ED.

The matter in dispute involves two elements,

Faith and Works,

2



Works are excluded, 1



-



Faith alone remains, 1

If one be subtracted from two, one remains [comp. ch. Rom 11:6]. So the μόνον, only, is expressed at Rom 3:29; and so the LXX. added μόνον, only in Deu 6:13, in accordance with [to complete] the Sense: with which comp. Mat 4:10. The Vulgate has solum, only, Job 17:1, etc., πίστει μόνη, by faith alone, Basil., hom. 22, On Humility. In short, James, in discussing this very subject, and refuting the abuse of the doctrine of Paul, adds μόνον, only, ch. Rom 2:24. [And, in fact, volumes are on sale, abounding with testimonies of persons who used the word allein, only, before the time of Luther.-V. g.] Justification takes place through faith itself, not in so far as it is faith [not in the fact of its being faith; as if there were merit in itself] or a work of the law, but, in so far as it is faith of Christ, laying hold of Christ; that is, in so far as it has in it something apart from the works of the Law. Gal 3:12. [Take care, however, lest this point should be misunderstood. Faith alone justifies; but it neither is, nor does it remain alone; it is constantly working inwardly and outwardly.-V. g.]-ἄνθρωπον) איש, any man whatever, Jew and Greek, with which comp. the following verse. So ἄνθρωπος, a man, 1Co 4:1.