I say {1} the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

(1) The third part of this epistle, which goes to the twelfth chapter, in which Paul ascends to the higher causes of faith: and first of all, because he purposed to speak much of the casting off of the Jews, he uses a declaration, saying by a double or triple oath, and by witnessing of his great desire towards their salvation, his singular love towards them, and in addition granting to them all their privileges.

People's New Testament

9:1 The Rejection of the Jews

SUMMARY OF ROMANS 9:

Paul's Deep Sympathy for His Nation. God's Promise to the Jewish Race Not Void. The Argument That It Is Not. The Promise Is Not to See According to the Flesh, but a. Spiritual Seed. God Has a Right to Choose What Race He Will. As the Potter Has the Right to Choose What Race He Will. As the Potter Has the Right to Shape His Clay, So God Can Exalt or Reject a Race. The Acceptance of the Gentiles and the Rejection of the Jews. Foretold. A Remnant of Israel Saved.

To understand the reasoning of this chapter, the reader must keep in mind the aim of the apostle. He had in the beginning of this letter shown that the gospel was God's power of salvation to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Ro 1:16,17). But the Jews as a nation had rejected Christ, and God had rejected them. They were soon to be destroyed as a people and their land taken away. But the Jew fell back on the promises made to Abraham. Has God broken his promises? If Christ was the true Messiah, and the Jewish nation rejected, he held that the promise was made void. To answer their objection Paul shows (1) that the promise was not to all the fleshly seed of Abraham, but to the seed according to the promise; and (2) that God, in his sovereignty, has the right to choose a race or to pass it by at his will. The subject of individual and personal election is not in the mind of the apostle, but of the election of the Jews to be the chosen people, their rejection afterwards, and the choice of the Gentiles. Isaac, Esau and Jacob are the representatives of races.

I say the truth in Christ. This affirmation is made so solemn because the Jews charged Paul with having forsaken his race.

My conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost. He speaks as in the presence of Christ, with a conscience enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

Wesley's Notes

9:1 In Christ - This seems to imply an appeal to him. In the Holy Ghost - Through his grace.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 9

Ro 9:1-33. The Bearing of the Foregoing Truths upon the Condition and Destiny of the Chosen People-Election-The Calling of the Gentiles.

Too well aware that he was regarded as a traitor to the dearest interests of his people (Ac 21:33; 22:22; 25:24), the apostle opens this division of his subject by giving vent to his real feelings with extraordinary vehemence of protestation.

1, 2. I say the truth in Christ-as if steeped in the spirit of Him who wept over impenitent and doomed Jerusalem (compare Ro 1:9; 2Co 12:19; Php 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."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:1-5 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.