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Selected Verse: Romans 9:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 9:1	Strong Concordance	I say [3004] the truth [225] in [1722] Christ [5547], I lie [5574] not [3756], my [3450] conscience [4893] also bearing [4828] me [3427] witness [4828] in [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151],
	King James	I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
THE BEARING OF THE FOREGOING TRUTHS UPON THE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE--ELECTION--THE CALLING OF THE GENTILES. (Rom. 9:1-33) I say the truth in Christ--as if steeped in the spirit of Him who wept over impenitent and doomed Jerusalem (compare Rom 1:9; Co2 12:19; Phi 1:8). my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost--"my conscience as quickened, illuminated, and even now under the direct operation of the Holy Ghost."

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

THE BEARING OF THE FOREGOING TRUTHS UPON THE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE--ELECTION--THE CALLING OF THE GENTILES. (Rom. 9:1-33)

I say the truth in Christ--as if steeped in the spirit of Him who wept over impenitent and doomed Jerusalem (compare Rom 1:9; Co2 12:19; Phi 1:8).

my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost--"my conscience as quickened, illuminated, and even now under the direct operation of the Holy Ghost."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I say the truth - In what I am about to affirm respecting my attachment to the nation and people. In Christ - Most interpreters regard this as a form of an oath, as equivalent to calling Christ to witness. It is certainly to be regarded, in its obvious sense, as an appeal to Christ as the searcher of the heart, and as the judge of falsehood. Thus, the word translated "in" ἐν en is used in the form of an oath in Mat 5:34-36; Rev 10:6, Greek. We are to remember that the apostle was addressing those who had been Jews; and the expression has all the force of an oath "by the Messiah." This shows that it is right on great and solemn occasions, and in a solemn manner, and thus only, to appeal to Christ for the sincerity of our motives, and for the truth of what we say. And it shows further, that it is right to regard the Lord Jesus Christ as present with us, as searching the heart, as capable of detecting insincerity, hypocrisy, and perjury, and as therefore divine. My conscience - Conscience is that act or judgment of the mind by which we decide on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of our actions, and by which we instantly approve or condemn them. It exists in every man, and is a strong witness to our integrity or to our guilt. Bearing me witness - Testifying to the truth of what I say. In the Holy Ghost - He does not say that he speaks the truth by or in the Holy Spirit, as he had said of Christ; but that the conscience pronounced its concurring testimony by the Holy Spirit; that is, conscience as enlightened and influenced by the Holy Spirit. It was not simply natural conscience, but it was conscience under the full influence of the Enlightener of the mind and Sanctifier of the heart. The reasons of this solemn asseveration are probably the following: (1) His conduct and his doctrines had led some to believe that he was an apostate, and had lost his love for his countrymen. He had forsaken their institutions, and devoted himself to the salvation of the Gentiles. He here shows them that it was from no lack of love to them. (2) the doctrines which he was about to state and defend were of a similar character; he was about to maintain that no small part of his own countrymen, notwithstanding their privileges, would be rejected and lost. In this solemn manner, therefore, he assures them that this doctrine had not been embraced because he did not love them, but because it was solemn, though most painful truth. He proceeds to enumerate their privileges as a people, and to show to them the strength and tenderness of his love.

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

I say the truth - In what I am about to affirm respecting my attachment to the nation and people.

In Christ - Most interpreters regard this as a form of an oath, as equivalent to calling Christ to witness. It is certainly to be regarded, in its obvious sense, as an appeal to Christ as the searcher of the heart, and as the judge of falsehood. Thus, the word translated "in" ἐν en is used in the form of an oath in Mat 5:34-36; Rev 10:6, Greek. We are to remember that the apostle was addressing those who had been Jews; and the expression has all the force of an oath "by the Messiah." This shows that it is right on great and solemn occasions, and in a solemn manner, and thus only, to appeal to Christ for the sincerity of our motives, and for the truth of what we say. And it shows further, that it is right to regard the Lord Jesus Christ as present with us, as searching the heart, as capable of detecting insincerity, hypocrisy, and perjury, and as therefore divine.

My conscience - Conscience is that act or judgment of the mind by which we decide on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of our actions, and by which we instantly approve or condemn them. It exists in every man, and is a strong witness to our integrity or to our guilt.

Bearing me witness - Testifying to the truth of what I say.

In the Holy Ghost - He does not say that he speaks the truth by or in the Holy Spirit, as he had said of Christ; but that the conscience pronounced its concurring testimony by the Holy Spirit; that is, conscience as enlightened and influenced by the Holy Spirit. It was not simply natural conscience, but it was conscience under the full influence of the Enlightener of the mind and Sanctifier of the heart. The reasons of this solemn asseveration are probably the following:

(1) His conduct and his doctrines had led some to believe that he was an apostate, and had lost his love for his countrymen. He had forsaken their institutions, and devoted himself to the salvation of the Gentiles. He here shows them that it was from no lack of love to them.

(2) the doctrines which he was about to state and defend were of a similar character; he was about to maintain that no small part of his own countrymen, notwithstanding their privileges, would be rejected and lost. In this solemn manner, therefore, he assures them that this doctrine had not been embraced because he did not love them, but because it was solemn, though most painful truth. He proceeds to enumerate their privileges as a people, and to show to them the strength and tenderness of his love.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
In Christ Not by Christ, as the formula of an oath, Christ being never used by the apostles in such a formula, but God. Rom 1:9; Co2 1:23; Co2 11:31; Phi 1:8. For this favorite expression of Paul, see Gal 2:17; Co1 1:2; Co2 2:14, Co2 2:17; Co2 12:19, etc. Conscience See on Pe1 3:16. Bearing me witness Rev., bearing witness with me. See on Rom 8:16. Concurring with my testimony. Morison remarks that Paul speaks of conscience as if it were something distinct from himself, and he cites Adam Smith's phrase, "the man within the breast." In the Holy Ghost So Rev. The concurrent testimony of his declaration and of conscience was "the echo of the voice of God's Holy Spirit" (Morison).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
In Christ - This seems to imply an appeal to him. In the Holy Ghost - Through his grace.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not - This is one of the most solemn oaths any man can possibly take. He appeals to Christ as the searcher of hearts that he tells the truth; asserts that his conscience was free from all guile in this matter, and that the Holy Ghost bore him testimony that what he said was true. Hence we find that the testimony of a man's own conscience, and the testimony of the Holy Ghost, are two distinct things, and that the apostle had both at the same time. As the apostle had still remaining a very awful part of his commission to execute, namely, to declare to the Jews not only that God had chosen the Gentiles, but had rejected them because they had rejected Christ and his Gospel, it was necessary that he should assure them that however he had been persecuted by them because he had embraced the Gospel, yet it was so far from being a gratification to him that they had now fallen under the displeasure of God, that it was a subject of continual distress to his mind, and that it produced in him great heaviness and continual sorrow.

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⁸ For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] my [3450] record [3144], how [5613] greatly I long after [1971] you [5209] all [3956] in [1722] the bowels [4698] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].

¹⁹ Again [3825], think ye [1380] that [3754] we excuse ourselves [626] unto you [5213]? we speak [2980] before [2714] God [2316] in [1722] Christ [5547]: but [1161] we do all things [3956], dearly beloved [27], for [5228] your [5216] edifying [3619].

⁹ For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] my [3450] witness [3144], whom [3739] I serve [3000] with [1722] my [3450] spirit [4151] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of his [846] Son [5207], that [5613] without ceasing [89] I make [4160] mention [3417] of you [5216] always [3842] in [1909] my [3450] prayers [4335];

⁶ And [2532] sware [3660] by [1722] him that liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165], who [3739] created [2936] heaven [3772], and [2532] the things that therein are [1722] [846], and [2532] the earth [1093], and [2532] the things that therein are [1722] [846], and [2532] the sea [2281], and [2532] the things which are therein [1722] [846], that [3754] there should be [2071] time [5550] no [3756] longer [2089]:

³⁴ But [1161] I [1473] say [3004] unto you [5213], Swear [3660] not [3361] at all [3654]; neither [3383] by [1722] heaven [3772]; for [3754] it is [2076] God's [2316] throne [2362]:
³⁵ Nor [3383] by [1722] the earth [1093]; for [3754] it is [2076] his [846] footstool [4228] [5286]: neither [3383] by [1519] Jerusalem [2414]; for [3754] it is [2076] the city [4172] of the great [3173] King [935].
³⁶ Neither [3383] shalt thou swear [3660] by [1722] thy [4675] head [2776], because [3754] thou canst [1410] not [3756] make [4160] one [3391] hair [2359] white [3022] or [2228] black [3189].

¹⁶ The Spirit [4151] itself [846] beareth witness [4828] with our [2257] spirit [4151], that [3754] we are [2070] the children [5043] of God [2316]:

¹⁶ Having [2192] a good [18] conscience [4893]; that [2443], whereas [1722] [3739] they speak evil [2635] of you [5216], as [5613] of evildoers [2555], they may be ashamed [2617] that falsely accuse [1908] your [5216] good [18] conversation [391] in [1722] Christ [5547].

¹⁷ For [1063] we are [2070] not [3756] as [5613] many [4183], which corrupt [2585] the word [3056] of God [2316]: but [235] as [5613] of [1537] sincerity [1505], but [235] as [5613] of [1537] God [2316], in the sight [2714] of God [2316] speak we [2980] in [1722] Christ [5547].

¹⁴ Now [1161] thanks [5485] be unto God [2316], which always [3842] causeth [2358] us [2248] to triumph [2358] in [1722] Christ [5547], and [2532] maketh manifest [5319] the savour [3744] of his [846] knowledge [1108] by [1223] us [2257] in [1722] every [3956] place [5117].

² Unto the church [1577] of God [2316] which [3588] is [5607] at [1722] Corinth [2882], to them that are sanctified [37] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], called [2822] to be saints [40], with [4862] all [3956] that in [1722] every [3956] place [5117] call upon [1941] the name [3686] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] our [2257] Lord [2962], both [5037] theirs [846] and [2532] ours [2257]:

¹⁷ But [1161] if [1487], while we seek [2212] to be justified [1344] by [1722] Christ [5547], we [2147] ourselves [846] also [2532] are found [2147] sinners [268], is therefore [687] Christ [5547] the minister [1249] of sin [266]? God forbid [3361] [1096].

⁸ For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] my [3450] record [3144], how [5613] greatly I long after [1971] you [5209] all [3956] in [1722] the bowels [4698] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].

³¹ The God [2316] and [2532] Father [3962] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], which [3588] is [5607] blessed [2128] for [1519] evermore [165], knoweth [1492] that I [3754] lie [5574] not [3756].

²³ Moreover [1161] I [1473] call [1941] God [2316] for a record [3144] upon [1909] my [1699] soul [5590], that [3754] to spare [5339] you [5216] I came [2064] not as yet [3765] unto [1519] Corinth [2882].