Romans 9:1

King James Version (KJV)

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

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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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Being about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, and to show that the whole agrees with the sovereign electing love of God, the apostle expresses strongly his affection for his people. He solemnly appeals to Christ; and his conscience, enlightened and directed by the Holy Spirit, bore witness to his sincerity. He would submit to be treated as "accursed," to be disgraced, crucified; and even for a time be in the deepest horror and distress; if he could rescue his nation from the destruction about to come upon them for their obstinate unbelief. To be insensible to the eternal condition of our fellow-creatures, is contrary both to the love required by the law, and the mercy of the gospel. They had long been professed worshippers of Jehovah. The law, and the national covenant which was grounded thereon, belonged to them. The temple worship was typical of salvation by the Messiah, and the means of communion with God. All the promises concerning Christ and his salvation were given to them. He is not only over all, as Mediator, but he is God blessed for ever.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. I say the truth. Paul now turns from the triumphant and joyful climax of ch. 8 to consider a problem that fills him with “great heaviness and continual sorrow” (ch. 9:2). Why is it that the Jews, God’s chosen people, have so largely rejected the gospel? If the gospel brings sure salvation to God’s elect, why are His chosen people Israel not found among the heirs of this salvation? If the good news of salvation is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel, then surely it should meet with the approval of those for whom it was especially intended. But instead, it has stirred most of them to bitter opposition.

Paul has been preparing the way for his discussion of this difficult and delicate question by stressing the fact that, though the gospel is for both Jew and Gentile, it is for the Jew first (chs. 1:16; 2:10). He has also emphasized that God is no respecter of persons (ch. 2:11) and that the Jews, especially, have been guilty of sin (vs. 17-24). He has devoted a whole chapter to proving that the gospel of salvation by faith is well supported by the OT (ch. 4). In ch. 3:1 he even began to consider the problem directly, but his full discussion of the question has been reserved for chs. 9; 10; 11.

First, Paul affirms his love and sorrow for his own people (ch. 9:1-3). He then declares that the cause of their rejection is not the failure of God’s promises to them (vs. 6-13). Nor is there any injustice on the part of God in this matter (vs. 14-29). The fault lies in their own rejection of “the righteousness which is of faith” (chs. 9:30 to 10:21). But Paul does not describe their condition as hopeless. He goes on to speak of the salvation of “a remnant according to the election of grace” (ch. 11:1-10), and of the acceptance of the Gentiles (vs. 11-22), all of which is evidence of the wisdom and glory of God (vs. 33-36).

In Christ. Paul appeals to his experience as one united with Christ, as evidence of the truthfulness of what he is about to say (cf. 2 Cor. 2:17).

I lie not. Compare 2 Cor. 11:31; Gal. 1:20; 1 Tim. 2:7. Paul was well aware that many of his fellow Jews regarded him as a traitor (Acts 21:28; 22:22; 25:24). His frequent conflicts with Jews and Judaizers naturally cast doubt upon his love for his own nation. Therefore, he expresses the sincerity of his concern for his people in these strong terms.

Conscience. See on Rom. 2:15; cf. Acts 23:1; 24:16.

Bearing me witness. The same verb is used in chs. 2:15; 8:16.

In the Holy Ghost. That is, in the Holy Spirit (see on ch. 5:5). Paul has spoken of the union of the believer with the Spirit of God (ch. 8:9, 11, 16). The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13), and the witness of a conscience enlightened by Him and acting under His influence must be a true and safe guide.

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 374

In this letter Paul gave free expression to his burden in behalf of the Jews. Ever since his conversion, he had longed to help his Jewish brethren to gain a clear understanding of the gospel message. “My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is,” he declared, “that they might be saved.” AA 374.1

It was no ordinary desire that the apostle felt. Constantly he was petitioning God to work in behalf of the Israelites who had failed to recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah. “I say the truth in Christ,” he assured the believers at Rome, “my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever.” AA 374.2

The Jews were God's chosen people, through whom He had purposed to bless the entire race. From among them God had raised up many prophets. These had foretold the advent of a Redeemer who was to be rejected and slain by those who should have been the first to recognize Him as the Promised One. AA 374.3

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