KwabaseRoma 3:9

Izhibhalo Ezingcwele

9 Kuthiweni na ke? Sinomkhusane na? Hayi, unakanye! Kuba besesiwamisele ityala amaYuda kwanamaGrike, lokuba baphantsi kwesono bonke;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

what then: Romans 3:5, Romans 6:15, Romans 11:7, 1 Corinthians 10:19, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Philippians 1:18

are we: Romans 3:22, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 65:5, Luke 7:39, Luke 18:9-14, 1 Corinthians 4:7

proved: Gr. charged, Romans 1:28-32, Romans 2:1-16

that they: Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:5 - God Genesis 19:13 - Lord hath 1 Kings 19:4 - better Job 15:16 - abominable Psalms 36:2 - until Ecclesiastes 7:10 - wisely Ecclesiastes 7:29 - they Ezekiel 16:51 - Samaria Matthew 7:11 - being Matthew 7:13 - for Luke 1:6 - righteous John 3:7 - Ye Acts 15:9 - put Romans 3:19 - and all the Romans 11:32 - God Galatians 2:15 - sinners Galatians 6:13 - keep Ephesians 2:3 - we Titus 3:3 - we 1 John 5:19 - and the

Gill's Notes on the Bible

What then? are we better than they?.... The apostle returns to what he was treating of in the beginning of the chapter, and suggests, that though the Jew has the advantage of the Gentile, with respect to some external privileges, yet not with regard to their state and condition God-ward, and as in his sight; "are we [Jews] better than they [Gentiles]?"

no, in no wise; upon no consideration whatever, neither as men, nor as Jews; which is directly opposite to a notion that people have of themselves:

"in mankind (they say r) there are high degrees, one higher than another, and the Israelites למעלה מכל מין אדם, "are above all mankind"; they are the head, and the nations of the world are the tail, and are like to a serpent, for they come from the filth of the old serpent.''

Again, they say s,

"worthy are the Israelites, for the holy blessed God hath given to them holy souls, from an holy place, "above all the rest of the people", that they may do the commandments, and delight in the law.''

And elsewhere t it is observed on those words, Genesis 1:24, "the living creature", or "the soul of the living creature", by R. Aba:

"these are the Israelites, for they are the children of the holy blessed God, and their holy souls come from him; the souls of the rest of the people, from what place are they? says R. Eleazar, from the side of the left hand, which is defiled; for they have polluted souls, and therefore they are all defiled, and defile whoever comes nigh them:''

but they are no better, especially with regard to their estate by nature:

for we have before proved; in the preceding chapters, by full instances to a demonstration; and if that cannot be thought sufficient, he goes on to give more proof in the following "verses":

that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin; under the power and guilt of sin, and a sentence of condemnation for it; which is equally true of the Jews, who were no better than the Gentiles, for being Abraham's seed, for being circumcised, for having the ceremonial law, and other outward privileges; for they were equally born in sin, and by practice sinners, as the Gentiles: and this is true of God's elect in all nations, who are no better by nature, by birth, than others; as deserving of the wrath of God as the rest; no better in their tempers and, dispositions, or in the endowments of their minds, or outward circumstances of life; nor better qualified to receive and improve the grace of God bestowed on them, than others.

r Tzeror Hammor, fol. 103. 2. Vid. Nishmat Chayim, orat. 2. c. 7. fol. 61. 1. s Zohar in Lev. fol 28. 2. t Zohar in Gen. fol. 31. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

What then? - This is another remark supposed to be made by a Jewish objector. “What follows? or are we to infer that we are better than others?

Are we better than they? - Are we Jews better than the Gentiles? Or rather, have we any preference, or advantage as to character and prospects, over the Gentiles? These questions refer only to the great point in debate, to wit, about justification before God. The apostle had admitted Romans 3:2 that the Jews had important advantages in some respects, but he now affirms that those advantages did not make a difference between them and the Gentiles about justification.

No, in no wise - Not at all. That is, the Jews have no preference or advantage over the Gentiles in regard to the subject of justification before God. They have failed to keep the Law; they are sinners; and if they are justified, it must be in the same way as the rest of the world.

We have before proved ... - Romans 1:21-32; Romans 2:0.

Under sin - Sinners. Under the power and dominion of sin.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 3:9. JEW. What then? — After all, have not we Jews a better claim to the privileges of the kingdom of God than the Gentiles have?

APOSTLE. No, in no wise — For I have already proved that both Jews and Gentiles are under the guilt of sin; that they are equally unworthy of the blessings of the Messiah's kingdom; and that they must both, equally, owe their salvation to the mere mercy of God. From this, to the end of the 26th verse, the apostle proceeds to prove his assertion, that both Jews and Gentiles were all under sin; and, that he might enforce the conviction upon the heart of the Jew, he quotes his own Scriptures, which he acknowledged had been given by the inspiration of GOD, and consequently true.