John Bengel Commentary - Romans 9:17 - 9:17

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

John Bengel Commentary - Romans 9:17 - 9:17


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Rom 9:17. Λέγει) saith, i.e. exhibits God speaking in this manner, comp. ch. Rom 10:20, saith.-γὰρ, for) He proves, that it is of Him who shows mercy, even God.-τῷ Φαραὼ, to the Pharaoh) who lived in the time of Moses.-ὅτι εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο ἐξήγειρὰ σε, ὅπως ἐνδείξωμαι ἐν σοὶ τὴν δὑναμίν μον κ.τ.λ.) Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up that I might show my power in thee. The LXX, Exo 9:16, καὶ ἒνεκεν τοὺτον διετηρήθης ἔως τοῦ νῦν, ἳνα ἐνδείξωμαι ἐν σοὶ τὴν ἰσχύν μου κ.τ.λ. For this cause, thou hast been preserved until now, that I might show my power, etc.-ἐξήγειρά σε) העמדתיך LXX. Int. διετηρήθης (as Exo 21:21, עמד, διαβιοῦν, to pass one’s life), but Paul according to his custom says more significantly, ἐξήγειρά σε: but it should be carefully observed, that by ἐξεγείρω here the meaning of the word הקים is not expressed, as it is used in Zec 11:16, but העמיד, which in all cases presupposes the subject previously produced. See the difference of these two Hebrew verbs in 1Ki 15:4. The meaning then is this: I have raised thee up to be a king very powerful (in whom I might show My power) and illustrious (by means of whom [owing to whom] My name might be proclaimed throughout all the earth). Therefore this ἐξέγερσις, raising up, includes the διατηρεῖν, preserving, as the LXX. render it, using the milder term: and also includes the ἐνεγκεῖν, which in Rom 9:22, is introduced from this very passage of Moses. The predecessor [the former Pharaoh] had previously begun rather to oppress Israel; Exo 2:23 : nor yet did the successor repent. The Ordo Temporum, p. 161 [Ed. II. 142], determines his reign to have been very short, and therefore his whole administration was an experiencing of the Divine power. It must be added, that this was told to Pharaoh not at first, but after he had been frequently guilty of excessive obstinacy, and it was not even then intended to discourage him from acknowledging Jehovah and from letting the people go, but to bring about his reformation.-δύναμιν, power) by which Pharaoh with all his forces was drowned.-διαγγελῇ, might be declared) This is being done even to the present day.