Rom 1:25, 2Cor 11:31 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 25. Who changed the truth of God . This is a repetition of the declaration in , in another form. The phrase, "the truth of God," is a Hebrew phrase, meaning the true God . In such a ease, where two nouns come together, one is employed as an adjective to qualify the other. Most commonly the latter of two nouns is used as the adjective, but sometimes it is the former, as in this case. God is called the true God in opposition to idols, which are called false gods. There is but one real or true God, and all others are false. Into a lie . Into idols , or false gods. Idols are not un frequently called falsehood and lies , because they are not true representations of God, . The creature . Created things, as the sun, moon, animals, etc. Who is blessed for ever . It was not uncommon to add a doxology, or ascription of praise to God, when his name was mentioned. See . The Jews also usually did it. In this way they preserved veneration for the name of God, and accustomed themselves to speak of him with reverence. "The Mohammedans also borrowed this custom from the Jews, and practise it to a great extent. Tholuk mentions an Arabic manuscript, in the library at Berlin, which contains an account of heresies in respect to Islamism, and as often as the writer has occasion to mention the name of a new heretical sect, he adds, 'God be exalted above all which they say.'" Stuart. Amen . This is a Hebrew word denoting strong affirmation. So let it be. It implies here the solemn assent of the writer to what was just said; or his strong wish that what he had said might be--that the name of God might be esteemed and be blessed for ever. The mention of the degrading idolatry of the heathens was strongly calculated to impress on his mind the superior excellency and glory of the one living God. It is mentioned respecting the honourable Robert Boyle, that he never mentioned the name of God without a solemn pause, denoting his profound reverence. Such a practice would tend eminently to prevent an unholy familiarity and irreverence in regard to the sacred name of the Most High. Comp. . (f) "truth of God into a lie" . (1) "more" or, "rather"

Romans 1:25

Verse 25. Who changed the truth of God. This is a repetition of the declaration in Rom 1:23, in another form. The phrase, "the truth of God," is a Hebrew phrase, meaning the true God. In such a ease, where two nouns come together, one is employed as an adjective to qualify the other. Most commonly the latter of two nouns is used as the adjective, but sometimes it is the former, as in this case. God is called the true God in opposition to idols, which are called false gods. There is but one real or true God, and all others are false.

Into a lie. Into idols, or false gods. Idols are not un frequently called falsehood and lies, because they are not true representations of God, Jer 13:25, Isa 28:15, Jer 10:14, Ps 40:4.

The creature. Created things, as the sun, moon, animals, etc.

Who is blessed for ever. It was not uncommon to add a doxology, or ascription of praise to God, when his name was mentioned. See Rom 9:5, 2Cor 11:31, Gal 1:6. The Jews also usually did it. In this way they preserved veneration for the name of God, and accustomed themselves to speak of him with reverence.

"The Mohammedans also borrowed this custom from the Jews,

and practise it to a great extent. Tholuk mentions an

Arabic manuscript, in the library at Berlin, which

contains an account of heresies in respect to Islamism,

and as often as the writer has occasion to mention the

name of a new heretical sect, he adds, 'God be exalted

above all which they say.'" Stuart.

Amen. This is a Hebrew word denoting strong affirmation. So let it be. It implies here the solemn assent of the writer to what was just said; or his strong wish that what he had said might be--that the name of God might be esteemed and be blessed for ever. The mention of the degrading idolatry of the heathens was strongly calculated to impress on his mind the superior excellency and glory of the one living God. It is mentioned respecting the honourable Robert Boyle, that he never mentioned the name of God without a solemn pause, denoting his profound reverence. Such a practice would tend eminently to prevent an unholy familiarity and irreverence in regard to the sacred name of the Most High. Comp. Ex 20:7.

(f) "truth of God into a lie" Amos 2:4. (1) "more" or, "rather"

2 Corinthians 11:31

Verse 31. The God and Father, etc. Paul was accustomed to make solemn appeals to God for the truth of what he said, especially when it was likely to be called in question. See 2Cor 11:10. Comp. Rom 9:1. The solemn appeal which he here makes to God is made in view of what he had just said of his sufferings, not of what follows--for there was nothing in the occurrence at Damascus that demanded so solemn an appeal to God. The reason of this asseveration is, probably, that the transactions to which he had referred were known to but few, and perhaps not all of them to even his best friends; that his trials and calamities had been so numerous and extraordinary that his enemies would say that they were improbable, and that all this had been the mere fruit of exaggeration; and as he had no witnesses to appeal to for the truth of what he said, he makes a solemn appeal to the ever-blessed God. This appeal is made with great reverence. It is not rash, or bold, and is by no means irreverent or profane, he appeals to God as the Father of the Redeemer whom he so much. venerated and loved, and as himself blessed for evermore. If all appeals to: God were made on as important occasions as this, and with the same profound veneration and reverence, such appeals would never be improper, and we should never be shocked, as we are often now, when men appeal to God. This passage proves that an appeal to God on great occasions is not improper; it proves also that it should be done with profound veneration.

(b) "God and Father" Gal 1:3 (c) "which is blessed" Rom 9:5 (d) "that I lie not" 1Thes 2:5