Bible Commentaries
Romans 3

Verse 1

Advantage [περισσον] . Lit., surplus. Hence prerogative or pre - eminence.

Profit [ωφελεια] . Compare profiteth, Romans 2:25.

Verse 2

Chiefly [πρωτον] . Rev., first of all; i e., first in order. Paul, however, does not enumerate further, being led away by another thought.

The oracles [τα λογια] . Diminutive. Strictly, brief utterances. Both in classical and biblical Greek, of divine utterances. In classical Greek, of prose oracles. See Acts 7:38; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11. Not especially Messianic passages, but the Old Testament scriptures with the law and the promises.

Verse 3

Did not believe [ηπιστησαν] . Rev., were without faith. Not, as some, were unfaithful, which is contrary to New Testament usage. See Mark 16:11, Mark 16:16; Luke 24:11, Luke 24:41; Acts 28:24; Romans 4:20, etc. The Rev. rendering is preferable, as bringing out the paronomasia between the Greek words : were without faith; their want of faith; the faithfulness of God. Faith of God. Better, as Rev., faithfulness; the good faith of God; His fidelity to His promises. For this sense see on Matthew 23:23. Compare Titus 2:10, and see on faithful, 1 John 1:9; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18.

Make without effect [καταργησει] . See on Luke 13:7. The word occurs twenty - five times in Paul, and is variously rendered in A. V. make void, destroy, loose, bring to nought, fail, vanish away, put away, put down, abolish, cease. The radical meaning is to make inert or idle. Dr. Morison acutely observes that it negatives the idea of agency or operation, rather than of result or effect. It is rather to make inefficient than to make without effect. So in Luke 13:7, why should the tree be allowed to make the ground idle? 1 Corinthians 13:8, prophecies shall fail, or have no more work to do. 2 Timothy 1:10 Christ abolished death. There is no more work for it. Romans 6:6, the body of sin is rendered inactive. Romans 3:31, Do we deprive the law of its work - render it a dead letter?

Verse 4

God forbid [μη γενοιτο] . Lit., may it not have come to pass. Used by Paul fourteen times. It introduces the rebuttal of an inference drawn from Paul 's arguments by an opponent. Luther renders das sey ferne that be far. Wyc. fer be it. It corresponds to the Hebrew chalilah. profane, which in the Septuagint is sometimes rendered by it, sometimes by mhdamwv by no means, sometimes by mh eih may it not be, and again by ilewv God be merciful to us (see on Matthew 16:22). It indicates a feeling of strong aversion : "Away with the thought."

Let God be true [γινεσθω ο θεος αληθης] . Rev., better, "let God be found true;" thus giving the force of ginomai to become. See on was, I am, John 8:58. The phrase is used with reference to men's apprehension. Let God turn out to be or be found to be by His creatures.

Be justified. Acknowledged righteous. The figure is forensic. God 's justice is put on trial.

Overcome [νικησης] . Rev., prevail. Gain the case. The word occurs only three times outside of John's writings.

When thou art judged [εν τω κρινεσθαι σε] . Rev., when thou comest into judgment. 26

Verse 5

Commend [συνιστησιν] . Only twice outside of Paul 's writings, Luke 9:32; 2 Peter 3:5, both in the physical sense. Lit., to place together. Hence of setting one person with another by way of introducing or presenting him, and hence to commend. Also to put together with a vein of showing, proving, or establishing. Expositors render here differently : commend, establish, prove. Commend is the prevailing sense in the New Testament, though in some instances the two ideas blend, as Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Galatians 2:18. See Romans 16:1; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 10:18.

Who taketh vengeance [ο επιφερων την οργην] . Rev., much better, who visiteth with wrath. Lit., bringeth the anger to bear. The force of the article it is difficult to render. It may be the wrath, definitely conceived as judicial, or, more probably, as in Matthew 3:7, referring to something recognized - the wrath to come, the well - understood need of unrighteousness. See on Romans 12:19.

As a man [κατα ανθρωπον] . Rev., after the manner of men; i e., I use a mode of speech drawn from human affairs. The phrase is thrown in apologetically, under a sense that the mode of speech is unworthy of the subject. Morison aptly paraphrases : "When I ask the question, 'Is God unjust who inflicteth wrath ?' I am deeply conscious that I am using language which is intrinsically improper when applied to God. But in condescension to human weakness I transfer to Him language which it is customary for men to employ when referring to human relationships." Compare 1 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 6:19.

Verse 7

Lie [ψευσματι] . Only here in the New Testament. The expression carries us back to ver. 4, and is general for moral falsehood, unfaithfulness to the claims of conscience and of God, especially with reference to the proffer of salvation through Christ.

Verse 9

Are we better [προεχομεθα] . Rev., are we in worse case than they? Render, with the American Revisers, are we in better case than they, i e., have we any advantage ? The Rev. takes the verb as passive - are we surpassed ? which would require the succeeding verses to show that the Gentiles are not better than the Jews; whereas they show that the Jews are not better than the Gentiles. Besides, nothing in the context suggests such a question. 27 Paul has been showing that the Old Testament privileges, though giving to the Jews a certain superiority to the Gentiles, did not give them any advantages in escaping the divine condemnation. After such showing it was natural that the question should be renewed : Do the Jews have any advantage ?

We have before proved [προητιασαμεθα] . The reference is not to logical proof, but to forensic accusation. The simple verb means to charge as being the cause [αιτια] of some evil : hence to accuse, impeach. Rev., correctly, we before laid to the charge.

Verse 11

Understandeth [συνιων] . See on foolish, ch. 1 21.

Seeketh after [εκζητων] . Lit., seeketh out. See on 1 Peter 1:10.

Verse 12

They are together become unprofitable [αμα ηχρειωθησαν] . Only here in the New Testament : Together carries forward the all. The Hebrew of the Psalm means have become corrupt. The Greek word is to become useless. Compare John 14:6.

Good [χρησττοτητα] . Only in Paul 's writings. The radical idea of the word is profitableness. Compare have become unprofitable. Hence it passes readily into the meaning of wholesomeness. See on, Matthew 11:30. It is opposed by Paul ' to ajpotomia abruptness, severity (Romans 11:22). It is rendered kindness in Ephesians 2:7; Colossians 3:12; Galatians 5:22. Paul, and he only, also uses ajgaqwsunh for goodness. The distinction as drawn out by Jerome is that ajgaqwsunh represents a sterner virtue, showing itself in a zeal for truth which rebukes, corrects, and chastises, as Christ when He purged the temple. Crhstothv is more gentle, gracious, and kindly Bishop Lightfoot defines it as a kindly disposition to one's neighbor, not necessarily taking a practical form, while ajgaqwsunh energizes the crhstothv.

Verse 13

Open sepulchre [ταφος ανεωγμενος] . Lit., a sepulchre opened or standing open. Some explain the figure by the noisome exhalations from a tomb. Others refer it to a pit standing open and ready to devour, comparing Jeremiah 5:16, where the quiver of the Chaldaeans is called an open sepulchre. So Meyer and Morison. Godet compares the phrase used of a brutal man : "it seems as if he would like to eat you." Compare Dante's vision of the lion :

"With head uplifted and with ravenous hunger, So that it seemed the air was afraid of him." " Inferno, " 1, 47.

Have used deceit [εδολιουσαν] . Hebrew, they smoothed their tongues.

Guile is contrasted with violence in the previous clause. Wyc., with their tongues they did guilingly. The imperfect tense denotes perseverance in their hypocritical professions.

Verse 16

Destruction [συντριμμα] . A dashing to pieces. Only here. The kindred verb suntribw to break in pieces, shiver, is frequent. See Mark 5:4; Mark 14:3; Revelation 2:27, etc.

Verse 19

We know. Often in Paul, of a thing generally conceded.

Saith - speaketh [λεγει - λαλει] . See on Matthew 28:18. The former contemplates the substance, the latter the expression of the law.

May be stopped [φραγη] . Lit., fenced up. The effect of overwhelming evidence upon an accused party in court.

May become guilty before God [υποδικος γενηται τω θεω] . Rev., brought under the judgment of God.

Upodikov under judgment, occurs only here. In classical Greek it signifies brought to trial or liable to be tried. So Plato, "Laws," 846, of a magistrate imposing unjust penalties. "Let him be liable to pay double to the injured party." Id., 879, "The freeman who conspired with the slave shall be liable to be made a slave." The rendering brought under judgment regards God as the judge; but He is rather to be regarded as the injured party. Not God 's judgments, but His rights are referred to. The better rendering is liable to pay penalty to God. 28

Verse 20

Works of the law. Not the Mosaic law in its ritual or ceremonial aspect; but the law in a deeper and more general sense, as written both in the decalogue and in the hearts of the Gentiles, and embracing the moral deeds of both Gentiles and Jews. The Mosaic law may indeed be regarded as the primary reference, but as representing a universal legislation and including all the rest. The moral revelation, which is the authoritative instruction of God, may be viewed either indefinitely and generally as the revelation of God to men; or authoritatively, as to the duty incumbent on man as man; or with reference to the instruction as to the duty incumbent on men as sinful men under a dispensation of mercy; or as instruction as to the duty of Jews as Jews. Ver. 20 relates to the instruction regarding the duty incumbent on men as men. "It is the law of commandments which enjoins those outer acts and inner choices and states which lie at the basis and constitute the essence of all true religion. In the background or focal point of these commandments he sees the decalogue, or duologue, which is often designated 'the moral law by way of pre - eminence" (Morison, from whom also the substance of this note is taken). By the phrase works of the law is meant the deeds prescribed by the law.

Flesh [σαρξ] . Equivalent to man. It is often used in the sense of a living creature - man or beast. Compare 1 Peter 1:24; Matthew 24:22; Luke 3:6. Generally with a suggestion of weakness, frailty, mortality; Septuagint, Jeremiah 17:5; Psalms 77:39; Ephesians 6:12. The word here has no doctrinal bearing.

Be justified [δικαιωθησεται] . For the kindred adjective dikaiov righteous, see on 1 17.

1. Classical usage. The primitive meaning is to make right. This may take place absolutely or relatively. The person or thing may be made right in itself, or with reference to circumstances or to the minds of those who have to do with them. Applied to things or acts, as distinguished from persons, it signifies to make right in one's judgment. Thus Thucydides, 2 6, 7. "The Athenians judged it right to retaliate on the Lacedaemonians." Herodotus, 1, 89, Croesus says to Cyrus : "I think it right to shew thee whatever I may see to thy advantage."

A different shade of meaning is to judge to be the case. So Thucydides, 4, 122 "The truth concerning the revolt was rather as the Athenians, judged the case to be." Again, it occurs simply in the sense to judge. Thucydides, 5, 26 "If anyone agree that the interval of the truce should be excluded, he will not judge correctly" In both these latter cases the etymological idea of right is merged, and the judicial element predominates.

In ecclesiastical usage, to judge to be right or to decide upon in ecclesiastical councils.

Applied to persons, the meaning is predominantly judicial, though Aristotle (" Nichomachaean Ethics, "5, 9) uses it in the sense of to treat one rightly. There is no reliable instance of the sense to make right intrinsically; but it means to make one right in some extrinsic or relative manner. Thus Aeschylus," Agamemnon, " 390 - 393 : Paris, subjected to the judgment of men, tested [δικαιωθεις] is compared to bad brass which turns black when subjected to friction. Thus tested or judged he stands in right relation to men's judgments. He is shown in the true baseness of his character.

Thus the verb acquires the meaning of condemn; adjudge to be bad. Thucydides, 3, 40 Cleon says to the Athenians, "If you do not deal with the Mitylenaeans as I advise, you will condemn yourselves." From this readily arises the sense of punish; since the punishment of a guilty man is a setting him in right relation to the political or moral system which his conduct has infringed. Thus Herodotus, 1, 100 "Deioces the Mede, if he heard of any act of oppression, sent for the guilty party and punished him according to his offense." Compare Plato, "Laws," 2, 934. Plato uses dikaiwthria to denote places of punishment or houses of correction (" Phaedrus, "249). According to Cicero, dikaiow was used by the Sicilians of capital punishment :" Edikaiwqhsan, that is, as the Sicilians say, they were visited with punishment and executed "(" Against Verres," 5, 57).

To sum up the classical usage, the word has two main references :

1, to persons;

2, to things or acts. In both the judicial element is dominant.

The primary sense, to make right, takes on the conventional meanings to judge a thing to be right, to judge, to right a person, to treat rightly, to condemn, punish, put to death.

Verse 21

Now [νυνι] Logical, not temporal. In this state of the case. Expressing the contrast between two relations - dependence on the law and non - dependence on the law.

Without the law. In a sphere different from that in which the law says "Do this and live."

Is manifested [πεφανερωται] . Rev., hath been manifested, rendering the perfect tense more strictly. Hath been manifested and now lies open to view. See on John 21:1, and on revelation, Revelation 1:1 The word implies a previous hiding. See Mark 4:22; Colossians 1:26, Colossians 1:27.

Being witnessed [μαρτυρουμενη] . Borne witness to; attested. The present participle indicates that this testimony is now being borne by the Old Testament to the new dispensation.

Verse 22

Faith of Jesus Christ. A common form for "faith in Christ."

Difference [διαστολη] . Only by Paul here, Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 14:7. Better, as Rev., distinction.

Verse 23

Have sinned [ημαρτον] . Aorist tense : sinned, looking back to a thing definitely past - the historic occurrence of sin.

And come short [υστερουνται] . Rev., fall short : The present tense. The A. V. leaves it uncertain whether the present or the perfect have come is intended. They sinned, and therefore they are lacking. See on Luke 14:14. The word is not merely equivalent to they are wanting in, but implies want under the aspect of shortcoming.

The glory of God [της δοξης του θεου] . Interpretations vary greatly. The glory of personal righteousness; that righteousness which God judges to be glory; the image of God in man; the glorying or boasting of righteousness before God; the approbation of God; the state of future glory.

The dominant meanings of doxa in classical Greek are notion, opinion, conjecture, repute. See on Revelation 1:6. In biblical usage : 1. Recognition, honor, Philippians 1:11; 1 Peter 1:7. It is joined with timh honor, 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. Opposed to ajtimia dishonor, 1 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 14:43; 2 Corinthians 6:8. With zhtew to seek, 1 Thessalonians 2:6; John 5:44; John 7:18. With lambanw to receive, John 5:41, John 5:44. With didwmi to give, Luke 17:18; John 9:24. In the ascriptive phrase glory be to, Luke 2:14, and ascriptions in the Epistles. Compare Luke 14:10 Luke 14:2. The glorious appearance which attracts the eye, Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6; Luke 12:27. Hence parallel with eijkwn image; morfh form; oJmoiwma likeness; eidov appearance, figure, Romans 1:23; Psalms 17:15; Numbers 12:8.

The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self - revelation, Exodus 33:22; compare proswpon face, ver. 23. Hence the idea is prominent in the redemptive revelation (Isaiah 60:3; Romans 6:4; Romans 5:2). It expresses the form in which God reveals Himself in the economy of salvation (Romans 9:23; 1 Timothy 1:11; Ephesians 1:12). It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on; for instance, in calling, 2 Peter 1:3; in raising up Christ and believers with Him to newness of life, Romans 6:4; in imparting strength to believers, Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11; as the goal of Christian hope, Romans 5:2; Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; Titus 2:13. It appears prominently in the work of Christ - the outraying of the Father 's glory (Hebrews 1:3), especially in John. See Romans 1:14; Romans 2:11, etc.

The sense of the phrase here is : they are coming short of the honor or approbation which God bestows. The point under discussion is the want of righteousness. Unbelievers, or mere legalists, do not approve themselves before God by the righteousness which is of the law. They come short of the approbation which is extended only to those who are justified by faith. 30

Verse 24

Being justified. The fact that they are justified in this extraordinary way shows that they must have sinned.

Freely [δωρεαν] . Gratuitously. Compare Matthew 10:8; John 14:25; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Revelation 21:6.

Grace [χαριτι] . See on Luke 1:30.

Redemption [απολυτρωσεως] . From ajpolutrow to redeem by paying the lutron price. Mostly in Paul. See Luke 21:28; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 11:35. The distinction must be carefully maintained between this word and lutron ransom. The Vulgate, by translating both redemptio, confounds the work of Christ with its result. Christ 's death is nowhere styled lutrwsiv redemption. His death is the lutron ransom, figuratively, not literally, in the sense of a compensation; the medium of the redemption, answering to the fact that Christ gave Himself for us.

Verse 25

Set forth [προεθετο] . Publicly, openly [προ] ; correlated with to declare. He brought Him forth and put Him before the public. Bengel, "placed before the eyes of all;" unlike the ark of the covenant which was veiled and approached only by the high - priest. The word is used by Herodotus of exposing corpses (v. 8); by Thucydides of exposing the bones of the dead (ii. 34). Compare the shew - bread, the loaves of the setting - forth [της προθεσεως] . See on Mark 2:26. Paul refers not to preaching, but to the work of atonement itself, in which God 's righteousness is displayed. Some render purposed or determined, as Romans 1:13; Ephesians 1:9, and according to the usual meaning of proqesiv purpose, in the New Testament. But the meaning adopted here is fixed by to declare.

Propitiation [ιλαστηριον] . This word is most important, since it is the key to the conception of Christ 's atoning work.

In the New Testament it occurs only here and Hebrews 9:5; and must be studied in connection with the following kindred words : iJlaskomai which occurs in the New Testament only Luke 18:13, God be merciful, and Hebrews 2:17, to make reconciliation. Ilasmov twice, 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10; in both cases rendered propitiation. The compound ejxilaskomai, which is not found in the New Testament, but is frequent in the Septuagint and is rendered purge, cleanse, reconcile, make atonement. Septuagint usage. These words mostly represent the Hebrew verb kaphar to cover or conceal, and its derivatives. With only seven exceptions, out of about sixty or seventy passages in the Old Testament, where the Hebrew is translated by atone or atonement, the Septuagint employs some part or derivative of iJlaskomai or ejxilaskomai or Ilasmov or ejxilasmov is the usual Septuagint translation for kippurim covering for sin, A. V., atonement. Thus sin - offerings of atonement; day of atonement; ram of the atonement. See Exodus 29:36; Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 23:27; Numbers 5:8, etc. They are also used for chattath sin - offering, Ezekiel 44:27; Ezekiel 45:19; and for selichah forgiveness. Psalms 129:4; Daniel 9:9.

These words are always used absolutely, without anything to mark the offense or the person propitiated.

Ilaskomai, which is comparatively rare, occurs as a translation of kipher to cover sin, Psalms 64:3; Psalms 77:38; Psalms 78:9; A. V., purge away, forgive, pardon. Of salach, to bear away as a burden, 2 Kings 5:18; Psalms 24:11 : A. V., forgive, pardon. It is used with the accusative (direct objective) case, marking the sin, or with the dative (indirect objective), as be conciliated to our sins.

Exilaskomai mostly represents kipher to cover, and is more common than the simple verb. Thus, purge the altar, Ezekiel 43:26; cleanse the sanctuary, Ezekiel 45:20; reconcile the house, Daniel 9:24. It is found with the accusative case of that which is cleansed; with the preposition peri concerning, as "for your sin," Exodus 32:30; with the preposition uJper on behalf of A. V., for, Ezekiel 45:17; absolutely, to make an atonement, Leviticus 16:17; with the preposition ajpo from, as "cleansed from the blood," Numbers 35:33. There are but two instances of the accusative of the person propitiated : appease him, Genesis 32:20; pray before [προπιτιατε] the Lord, Zechariah 7:2.

Ilasthrion, A. V., propitiation, is almost always used in the Old Testament of the mercy - seat or golden cover of the ark, and this is its meaning in Hebrews 9:5, the only other passage of the New Testament in which it is found. In Ezekiel 43:14, Ezekiel 43:17, Ezekiel 43:20, it means a ledge round a large altar, and is rendered settle in A. V.; Rev., ledge, in margin.

This term has been unduly pressed into the sense of explanatory sacrifice. In the case of the kindred verbs, the dominant Old - Testament sense is not propitiation in the sense of something offered to placate or appease anger; but atonement or reconciliation, through the covering, and so getting rid of the sin which stands between God and man. The thrust of the idea is upon the sin or uncleanness, not upon the offended party. Hence the frequent interchange with ajgiazw to sanctify, and kaqarizw to cleanse. See Ezekiel 43:26, where ejxilasontai shall purge, and kaqariousin shall purify, are used coordinately. See also Exodus 30:10, of the altar of incense : "Aaron shall make an atonement [εξιλασεται] upon the horns of it - with the blood of the sin - offering of atonement" [καθαρισμου πυριφιχατιον] . Compare Leviticus 16:20. The Hebrew terms are also used coordinately.

Our translators frequently render the verb kaphar by reconcile, Leviticus 6:30; Leviticus 16:20; Ezekiel 45:20. In Leviticus 8:15, Moses put blood upon the horns of the altar and cleansed [εκαθαρισε] the altar, and sanctified [ηγιασεν] it, to make reconciliation [του εξιλασασθαι] upon it. Compare Ezekiel 45:15, Ezekiel 45:17; Daniel 9:24.

The verb and its derivatives occur where the ordinary idea of expiation is excluded. As applied to an altar or to the walls of a house (Leviticus 14:48-53), this idea could have no force, because these inanimate things, though ceremonially unclean, could have no sin to be expiated. Moses, when he went up to make atonement for the idolatry at Sinai, offered no sacrifice, but only intercession. See also the case of Korah, Numbers 16:46; the cleansing of leprosy and of mothers after childbirth, Leviticus 14:1-20; Leviticus 12:7; Leviticus 14:30; the reformation of Josiah, 2 Chronicles 34:0; the fasting and confession of Ezra, Ezra 10:1-15; the offering of the Israelite army after the defeat of Midian. They brought bracelets, rings, etc., to make an atonement [εξιλασασθαι] before the Lord; not expiatory, but a memorial, Numbers 31:50-54. The Passover was in no sense expiatory; but Paul says, "Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us; therefore purge out [εκκαθαρατε] the old leaven. Let us keep the feast with sincerity and truth;" 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 5:8.

In the Old Testament the idea of sacrifice as in itself a propitiation continually recedes before that of the personal character lying back of sacrifice, and which alone gives virtue to it. See 1 Samuel 14:22; Psalms 40:6-10; Psalms 50:8-14, Psalms 50:23; Psalms 51:16, Psalms 51:17; Isaiah 1:11-18; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8. This idea does not recede in the Old Testament to be reemphasized in the New. On the contrary, the New Testament emphasizes the recession, and lays the stress upon the cleansing and life - giving effect of the sacrifice of Christ. See John 1:29; Colossians 1:20-22; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:19-21; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 4:10-13. The true meaning of the offering of Christ concentrates, therefore, not upon divine justice, but upon human character; not upon the remission of penalty for a consideration, but upon the deliverance from penalty through moral transformation; not upon satisfying divine justice, but upon bringing estranged man into harmony with God. As Canon Westcott remarks : "The scripture conception of iJlaskesqai is not that of appeasing one who is angry with a personal feeling against the offender, but of altering the character of that which, from without, occasions a necessary alienation, and interposes an inevitable obstacle to fellowship" (Commentary on St. John's Epistles, p. 85).

In the light of this conception we are brought back to that rendering of iJlasthrion which prevails in the Septuagint, and which it has in the only other New - Testament passage where it occurs (Hebrews 9:5) - mercy - seat; a rendering, maintained by a large number of the earlier expositors, and by some of the ablest of the moderns. That it is the sole instance of its occurrence in this sense is a fact which has its parallel in the terms Passover, Door, Rock, Amen, Day - spring, and others, applied to Christ. To say that the metaphor is awkward counts for nothing in the light of other metaphors of Paul. To say that the concealment of the ark is inconsistent with set forth is to adduce the strongest argument in favor of this rendering. The contrast with set forth falls in perfectly with the general conception. That mercy - seat which was veiled, and which the Jew could approach only once a fear, and then through the medium of the High - Priest, is now brought out where all can draw nigh and experience its reconciling power (Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:22; compare Hebrews 9:8). "The word became flesh and dwelt among us. We beheld His glory. We saw and handled" (John 1:14; 1 John 1:1-3). The mercy - seat was the meetingplace of God and man (Exodus 25:17-22; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 7:89); the place of mediation and manifestation. Through Christ, the antitype of the mercy - seat, the Mediator, man has access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). As the golden surface covered the tables of the law, so Christ stands over the law, vindicating