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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 10:4

Verse 4 4. For the end of the law is Christ, etc. The word completion, (321) seems not to me unsuitable in this place; and [Erasmus ] has rendered it perfection: but as the other reading is almost universally approved, and is not inappropriate, readers, for my part, may retain it. The Apostle obviates here an objection which might have been made against him; for the Jews might have appeared to have kept the right way by depending on the righteousness of the law. It was necessary for him to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1-4

Israel's strength and weakness. The apostle returns again to the tender solicitude for the spiritual welfare of Israel which he had already expressed in the beginning of the ninth chapter. He was no blind bigot. He could recognize the good qualities even of those from whom he differed. He knew how far Israel had departed from the truth of God, and yet he is quick to perceive that, even amid their errors and sins, there is much that is commendable in their character. What an example for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1-11

The freeness of salvation. The apostle's heart yearns for his people. For he recognizes their sincerity in much of their grievous mistaking of the ways of God. They had zeal for God, though the zeal was unreasonable and irreligious. Unreasonable; for how can man make himself just before God, guilty and sinful as he is? and why should the Jew think that, if this were possible, only one small portion of the race should be suffered to work out its righteousness? Irreligious; for instead of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:1-11

Confession of a risen Saviour. In the previous chapter we saw a Christian patriot lamenting that so many of his fellow-countrymen, through rejecting God's mercy manifested in Christ Jesus, were becoming mere vessels of wrath fitted for destruction. At the same time, he sees in Divine sovereignty, its incidence and its justice, the real clue to the philosophy of history and the progress of the world. In the present chapter he discusses the rejection of Israel and its reasons, and the nature... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:2-3

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God . For ζῆλον θεοῦ , meaning zeal for God, cf. John 2:17 ; Acts 22:3 ; Galatians 1:14 . The word ζῆλος was commonly used for the religious ardour of the Jews at that time (cf. Acts 21:20 , πάντες ζηλωταὶ τοῦ νόμου ὑπάρχουσι ) , and there was a faction among them called distinctively ζηλωταὶ , to which Simon Zelotes ( Luke 6:15 ; Acts 1:13 ) is supposed to have belonged originally. St. Paul's mention of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:2-4

False righteousness and true. Paul's desire for the salvation of his countrymen and kinsmen arose from his clear perception of their spiritual destitution and need. They might hide their condition from themselves, but it was clear enough to him. The measure of true light which they enjoyed made it the sadder that many of them refused to accept and to walk in the full light of the Sun of Righteousness. And the apostle's sympathy was excited on their behalf all the more because he understood... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:4

For Christ is the end of Law unto righteousness to every one that believeth . The word "end" ( τέλος ) might in itself mean which is the evident meaning of the word in 1 Timothy 1:5 and 1 Peter 1:9 . This last seems best to suit the line of thought in this place. The Jews evinced ignorance, i.e. of the real meaning and purpose of Law, in resting on it for justification. This is St. Paul's constant position in speaking of the office of Law—that it could not and was never meant to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 10:4

The end of the Law. The desire for righteousness has embodied itself in diverse and some of them grotesque forms. Gather together the Pharisee with his phylacteries and ablutions; the Chinaman burning his bits of paper for ancestral worship; the Hindoo bathing in the sacred river, or prostrating himself under the idol-car; the Roman Catholic telling his beads and performing his penance; and the moral youth, who never omits his daily portion of Scripture, or his morning and evening prayers,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 10:2

For I bear them record - To bear record means to be a witness; to give evidence. This, Paul was well qualified to do. He had been a Jew of the strictest order Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5, and he well knew the extraordinary exertions which they put forth to obey the commands of the Law.A zeal of God - A zeal for God. Thus, John 2:17,” The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;” an earnest desire for the honor of the sanctuary has wholly absorbed my attention; compare Psalms 69:9; Acts 21:20, “Thou... read more

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