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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 3:2 - 3:2
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
2. πρῶτον μὲν γὰρ.… The enumeration is not carried out, but cf. Rom 9:4-5. γὰρ simply introduces an explanation of the preceding statement. “γὰρ saepe ponitur ubi propositionem excipit tractatio,” Bengel on Lk. xii. 58, ap. Winer-M. p. 568 (b).
The drift of this very condensed argument is—the Jews received in charge the revelation of GOD’S will and purpose in the scriptures; the failure of some to believe, when Christ offered them the consummation of that revelation, does not affect the validity of the revelation or diminish the privilege of the Jew as offered to him by GOD. The scriptures are still there ready to be used and a charge upon believers; the advantage of the Jew is still for him to take. The failure of some only emphasises by contrast the faithfulness of GOD.
ἐπιστεύθησαν. This pass. only in S. Paul; cf. 1Co 9:17; 1Th 2:4, alibi
τὰ λόγια τοῦ θεοῦ. Heb 5:12; 1Pe 4:11; Act 7:38 only. The last passage is a close parallel in argument.
On the meaning cf. Westcott, Hebr. l.c[95]; Lft, Supern. Rel. p. 172 ff.; Sanday, Gospels, etc. p. 155. Orig. = brief sayings, oracles; but by use the word came to mean the scriptures. Cf. Clem. R. 1 Cor. 53:1; and probably here it means the whole written record, but specifically as the utterance of GOD’S Mind and Will.
[95] l.c. locus citatus