Rom 3:1-9 | Abbott | STEP | What advantage, &c. The discussion, for a considerable part of this chapter, appears to take the form of a dialogue—a very common form of discussion, both in ancient and modern times.

Romans 3:1-9

What advantage, &c. The discussion, for a considerable part of this chapter, appears to take the form of a dialogue—a very common form of discussion, both in ancient and modern times.

The oracles of God; divine communications which were made, in various forms, to the Jewish people.

Mightest overcome; appear to be in the right.

Commend the righteousness of God; is the means of exalting it, setting it in a clear point of view.— Who taketh vengeance; who inflicts punishment.

For how shall God judge the world; that is, on the supposition referred to above,—if human sin must not be punished on account of its being the occasion of exalting the righteousness of God.

Whose damnation; whose condemnation, meaning the condemnation of those who are guilty of the slanderous report above referred to.

Are we better than they? we, the Jews, better than the Gentiles. The preceding passage, (1-9,) considered as a whole, is very elliptical and obscure. Commentators have made labored attempts to show the logical connection of the several parts with each other, and with the general subject of discussion; but the results are not very satisfactory. The explanations offered do not leave a very clear and distinct impression upon the mind.