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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Romans 3:9 - 3:9
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9. τί οὖν; well then, this being so, what follows? Cf. Joh 1:21; infra, Rom 6:15, Rom 11:7 only. Cf. above on μὴ γένοιτο, τί οὗν ἐροῦμεν;
προεχόμεθα; ‘are we surpassed? are we at a disadvantage?’ So R.V. (not margin, not A.V.); see Field, ad loc[103] He shows (1) that there is no example of the mid. = the active ‘are we better than these?’
[103] ad loc. ad locum
(2) that προέχεσθαι = to excuse oneself, always requires an accus.;
(3) that προέχεσθαι = pass. of προέχειν, to surpass, is supported by a |[104], and natural; qu. Plut. T. II. p. 1038 c after Wetstein.
[104] | parallel to
With the meaning settled, it remains to ask, who are we? and what is the connexion? The question must be taken, dramatically, as put into the mouth of Jews. It has been just shown that while they had an exceptional privilege, their use of this privilege brought them under judgment. The privilege itself might then appear to be a penalty, the greater call only an occasion of greater condemnation (cf. closely Rom 6:15). The answer given does not go to the root of the matter—that again is reserved for chh. Rom 9:30 to Rom 10:13—but deals with it only for the purpose of the immediate argument; all have sinned, and as sinners all are equally condemned; yet in a certain sense (n. οὐ πάντως) Jews are in a worse state, because they have sinned against clearer light; yet, again, not to such an extent as to put them at a disadvantage in regard to the new dispensation of the Gospel. The universality of grace covers the universality of sin, and is for all adequate and complete (Rom 3:21 f.).
This horror-struck question of the Jews, then, rises immediately out of the preceding verses, and the answer completes the statement of their case in comparison with Gentiles. The vigorous dramatic form of expression is due to the depth of feeling with which S. Paul sympathises with his brethren after the flesh.
οὐ πάντως. 1Co 5:10 only; not altogether that, either. See above.
προῃτιασάμεθα only here in Greek appy. So προενάρχομαι, 2Co 8:6; προελπίζω, Eph 1:12 (first); προκυροῦν, Gal 3:17. The ref. is esp. to Rom 1:18, Rom 2:1; Rom 2:9.
ὑφ' ἁμαρτίαν. cf. Moulton, p. 63, for the disuse of the dative after ὑπό. Cf. Rom 7:14; Mat 8:9. = in subjection to sin and therefore needing deliverance. The whole object of these chapters is to show the universal need of the Gospel.
πάντας includes on this side the παντί of Rom 1:16.