After covering the first half of God's salvation in Christ, and before going on to the second half, the section from chs. 9—11 is inserted to explain in detail the selection of God's chosen people, which was of God Himself.
After covering the first half of God's salvation in Christ, and before going on to the second half, the section from chs. 9—11 is inserted to explain in detail the selection of God's chosen people, which was of God Himself.
In 8:16 the Holy Spirit witnesses with our spirit, whereas in this verse our conscience bears witness with us in the Holy Spirit. This proves that our conscience is in our human spirit.
For Paul to wish that Israel would be saved was necessary, but to wish that he himself would be a curse and would be separated from Christ would have been extreme. Paul could wish in this way out of a desperation produced by his intense desire for Israel's salvation.
Sonship here is the right of inheritance.
The service in the tabernacle or in the temple, instituted according to the law of Moses.
It is clearly stated here that Christ is God, proving that although Christ was a man (Rom. 5:15) with flesh who came out of the tribe of Judah, a tribe of Israel, He is also God, who is over all and blessed forever. He is both man and God. He is God the Son, and He is the Triune God.
This shows God's economy in His selection. All Jews are born of Israel, but not all of them have been selected by God. Only Isaac and a part of his descendants have been selected by God and reckoned as the children of God (vv. 7-8). This selection is not of man's works but of the Lord who calls and of His mercy (vv. 11, 16).
See note Rom. 8:285.
Lit., serve as a slave.
This is God's sovereign authority, which allows Him to have mercy on man according to His desire.
Mercy refers mainly to an action taken in response to man's wretched condition; hence, God's showing mercy to man is outward. Compassion, however, refers mainly to an inward feeling that is expressed by groanings and tears; hence, God's having compassion on man is inward. Therefore, compassion is deeper than mercy.
Mercy refers mainly to an action taken in response to man's wretched condition; hence, God's showing mercy to man is outward. Compassion, however, refers mainly to an inward feeling that is expressed by groanings and tears; hence, God's having compassion on man is inward. Therefore, compassion is deeper than mercy.
This indicates that God chose us that we might be vessels of honor to contain Him. God created man as a vessel to contain Him, and out of the many vessels He chose us to contain Him, the God of honor, that we might be vessels of honor. Finally, He makes known His glory upon us, the vessels, that we might become vessels of His glory (v. 23). All this is out of His mercy and according to His mercy; it cannot be obtained by our efforts. For this reason we must worship Him, and we must worship Him for His mercy!
This is the glory in the manifestation of the coming kingdom, in which we, the revealed sons of God, will participate (Rom. 8:17-23).