words God distinctly claims for himself a certain seed, so that his redemption may be effectual in
his elect and peculiar nation. And though fitter for his purpose would have been the expression
used by the Prophet, “shall come to Sion;” yet Paul made no scruple to follow the commonly
received translation, which reads, “The Redeemer shall come forth from Mount Sion.” And similar
is the case as to the second part, “He shall turn away iniquities from Jacob:” for Paul thought it
enough to regard this point only, — that as it is Christ’s peculiar office to reconcile to God an
apostate and faithless people, some change was surely to be looked for, lest they should all perish
together.
27.And, this is my covenant with them, etc. Though Paul, by the last prophecy of Isaiah, briefly
touched on the office of the Messiah, in order to remind the Jews what was to be expected especially
from him, he further adds these few words from Jeremiah, expressly for the same purpose; for what
is added is not found in the former passage.^365 This also tends to confirm the subject in hand; for
what he said of the conversion of a people who were so stubborn and obstinate, might have appeared
incredible: he therefore removes this stumblingblock, by declaring that the covenant included a
gratuitous remission of sins. For we may gather from the words of the Prophet, — that God would
have no more to do with his apostate people, until he should remit the crime of perfidy, as well as
their other sins.
Romans 11:28-32
- Secundum Evangelium quidem inimici
propter vos; secundum electionem vero dilecti
propter Patres: - As concerning the gospel, they are
enemies for your sakes: but as touching the
election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. - Sine poenitentia enim sunt dona et vocatio
Del. - For the gifts and calling of God are
without repentance. - Quemadmodum enim vos quoque^366
increduli fuistis Deo, nunc autem misericordiam
estis consequuti istorum incredulitate: - For as ye in times past have not believed
God, yet have now obtained mercy through their
unbelief:
least as translated in our version. The Syriac and Chaldee give the verb a causative meaning, so as to make the sense the same
as here. But it may be regarded as an infinitive with a pargogic , and in a transitive sense, which it sometimes has. See 1 Kings
2:16; Psalm 132:10. If so, the verse will agree with the Apostle’s words, and may be thus rendered, —
Come to Sion shall a deliverer,
And to turn away the ungodliness that is in Jacob.
He shall come to Sion, and shall come “to turn away,” etc.; or the may be rendered even, “Even to turn away,” etc. This
rendering corresponds more than that of our version with the substance of the verse which follows. — Ed.(^365) The former part of it is, “This is my covenant,” but not the latter, “when I shall take away their sins.” Some suppose that
this is taken from Isaiah 27:9, where we find this phrase in the Septuagint, “When I shall take away his sins,” μ : but
the Hebrew is somewhat different and farther from the form of the sentence here. We must therefore consider it as an abridgment
of what is contained in Jeremiah 31:33, and quoted in Hebrews 8:10. — Ed.
(^366) — formerly, left out.