Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Romans 3:2 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 3:2	Strong Concordance	Much [4183] every [2596] [3956] way [5158]: chiefly [4412], because [3303] [1063] that [3754] unto them were committed [4100] the oracles [3051] of God [2316].
	King James	Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Much every way; chiefly, because--rather, "first, that." unto them were committed the oracles of God--This remarkable expression, denoting "divine communications" in general, is transferred to the Scriptures to express their oracular, divine, authoritative character.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Much every way; chiefly, because--rather, "first, that."

unto them were committed the oracles of God--This remarkable expression, denoting "divine communications" in general, is transferred to the Scriptures to express their oracular, divine, authoritative character.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Much every way - Or, in every respect. This is the answer of the apostle to the objection in Rom 3:1. Chiefly - That is, this is the principal advantage, and one including all others. The main benefit of being a Jew is, to possess the sacred Scriptures and their instructions. Unto them were committed - Or were intrusted, were confided. The word translated "were committed," is what is commonly employed to express "faith" or "confidence," and it implied "confidence" in them on the part of God in intrusting his oracles to them; a confidence which was not misplaced, for no people ever guarded a sacred trust or deposit with more fidelity, than the Jews did the Sacred Scriptures. The oracles - The word "oracle" among the pagan meant properly the answer or response of a god, or of some priest supposed to be inspired, to an inquiry of importance, usually expressed in a brief sententious way, and often with great ambiguity. The place from which such a response was usually obtained was also called an oracle, as the oracle at Delphi, etc. These oracles were frequent among the pagan, and affairs of great importance were usually submitted to them. The word rendered "oracles" occurs in the New Testament but four times, Act 7:38; Heb 5:12; Pe1 4:11; Rom 3:2. It is evidently used here to denote the Scriptures, as being what was spoken by God, and particularly perhaps the divine promises. To possess these was of course an eminent privilege, and included all others, as they instructed them in their duty, and were their guide in everything that pertained to them in this life and the life to come. They contained, besides, many precious promises respecting the future dignity of the nation in reference to the Messiah. No higher favor can be conferred on a people than to be put in possession of the sacred Scriptures. And this fact should excite us to gratitude, and lead us to endeavor to extend them also to other nations; compare Deu 4:7-8; Psa 147:19-20.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Much every way - Or, in every respect. This is the answer of the apostle to the objection in Rom 3:1.

Chiefly - That is, this is the principal advantage, and one including all others. The main benefit of being a Jew is, to possess the sacred Scriptures and their instructions.

Unto them were committed - Or were intrusted, were confided. The word translated "were committed," is what is commonly employed to express "faith" or "confidence," and it implied "confidence" in them on the part of God in intrusting his oracles to them; a confidence which was not misplaced, for no people ever guarded a sacred trust or deposit with more fidelity, than the Jews did the Sacred Scriptures.

The oracles - The word "oracle" among the pagan meant properly the answer or response of a god, or of some priest supposed to be inspired, to an inquiry of importance, usually expressed in a brief sententious way, and often with great ambiguity. The place from which such a response was usually obtained was also called an oracle, as the oracle at Delphi, etc. These oracles were frequent among the pagan, and affairs of great importance were usually submitted to them. The word rendered "oracles" occurs in the New Testament but four times, Act 7:38; Heb 5:12; Pe1 4:11; Rom 3:2. It is evidently used here to denote the Scriptures, as being what was spoken by God, and particularly perhaps the divine promises. To possess these was of course an eminent privilege, and included all others, as they instructed them in their duty, and were their guide in everything that pertained to them in this life and the life to come. They contained, besides, many precious promises respecting the future dignity of the nation in reference to the Messiah. No higher favor can be conferred on a people than to be put in possession of the sacred Scriptures. And this fact should excite us to gratitude, and lead us to endeavor to extend them also to other nations; compare Deu 4:7-8; Psa 147:19-20.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Chiefly (πρῶτον) Rev., first of all; i.e., first in order. Paul, however, does not enumerate further, being led away by another thought. The oracles (τὰ λόγια) Diminutive. Strictly, brief utterances. Both in classical and biblical Greek, of divine utterances. In classical Greek, of prose oracles. See Act 7:38; Heb 5:12; Pe1 4:11. Not especially Messianic passages, but the Old Testament scriptures with the law and the promises.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Chiefly in that they were intrusted with the oracles of God - The scriptures, in which are so great and precious promises. Other prerogatives will follow, Rom 9:4-5. St. Paul here singles out this by which, after removing the objection, he will convict them so much the more.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Apostle. Much every way - The Jews, in reference to the means and motives of obedience, enjoy many advantages beyond the Gentiles; and, principally, because to them were committed the oracles of God - that revelation of his will to Moses and the prophets, containing a treasure of excellencies, with which no other part of the world has been favored; though they have most grievously abused these privileges.

Top

¹⁹ He sheweth [05046] his word [01697] [01697] unto Jacob [03290], his statutes [02706] and his judgments [04941] unto Israel [03478].
²⁰ He hath not dealt [06213] so with any nation [01471]: and as for his judgments [04941], they have not known [03045] them. Praise [01984] ye the LORD [03050].

⁷ For what nation [01471] is there so great [01419], who hath God [0430] so nigh [07138] unto them, as the LORD [03068] our God [0430] is in all things that we call [07121] upon him for?
⁸ And what nation [01471] is there so great [01419], that hath statutes [02706] and judgments [04941] so righteous [06662] as all this law [08451], which I set [05414] before [06440] you this day [03117]?

² Much [4183] every [2596] [3956] way [5158]: chiefly [4412], because [3303] [1063] that [3754] unto them were committed [4100] the oracles [3051] of God [2316].

¹¹ If any man [1536] speak [2980], let him speak as [5613] the oracles [3051] of God [2316]; if any man [1536] minister [1247], let him do it as [5613] of [1537] the ability [2479] which [3739] God [2316] giveth [5524]: that [2443] God [2316] in [1722] all things [3956] may be glorified [1392] through [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], to whom [3739] be [2076] praise [1391] and [2532] dominion [2904] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].

¹² For [2532] [1063] when for [1223] the time [5550] ye ought [3784] to be [1511] teachers [1320], ye have [2192] need [5532] that one teach [1321] you [5209] again [3825] which [5101] be the first [746] principles [4747] of the oracles [3051] of God [2316]; and [2532] are become such as [1096] have [2192] need [5532] of milk [1051], and [2532] not [3756] of strong [4731] meat [5160].

³⁸ This [3778] is he [2076], that was [1096] in [1722] the church [1577] in [1722] the wilderness [2048] with [3326] the angel [32] which [3588] spake [2980] to him [846] in [1722] the mount [3735] Sina [4614], and [2532] with our [2257] fathers [3962]: who [3739] received [1209] the lively [2198] oracles [3051] to give [1325] unto us [2254]:

¹ What [5101] advantage [4053] then [3767] hath the Jew [2453]? or [2228] what [5101] profit [5622] is there of circumcision [4061]?

⁴ Who [3748] are [1526] Israelites [2475]; to whom [3739] pertaineth the adoption [5206], and [2532] the glory [1391], and [2532] the covenants [1242], and [2532] the giving of the law [3548], and [2532] the service [2999] of God, and [2532] the promises [1860];
⁵ Whose [3739] are the fathers [3962], and [2532] of [1537] whom [3739] as concerning [2596] the flesh [4561] Christ [5547] came, who [5607] is over [1909] all [3956], God [2316] blessed [2128] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].