Diodorus of Tarsus — Commentary on Scripture

The Scriptures often suggest that the visible creation is animate and that the universe has a rational sensibility.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

This text does not take away our free will. It uses the word foreknew before predestined. Now it is clear that “foreknowledge” does not by itself impose any particular kind of behavior. What is said here would be clearer if we started from the end and worked backwards. Whom did God glorify? Those whom he justified. Whom did he predestine? Those whom he foreknew, who were called according to his plan, i.e., who demonstrated that they were worthy to be called by his plan and made conformable to Christ.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 9:6

Because the promises which had been given to the Jews had been transferred to the Gentiles, Paul wanted to avoid the charge that God had lied about his promises, and so he shows how God remains faithful. The Scriptures make it clear that it was not those who were Israelites according to the flesh but those who by their godliness showed that they were worthy to be Israelites who were called children of Abraham.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 9:7

Paul wants to say that it is not those who are of Abraham’s flesh who are his children, but those who are of the promise, who are godly and just, whom God promised according to his foreknowledge would be children of Abraham, just as Isaac was made righteous by the promise.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 9:16

God is not unjust simply because he does not give everyone what they deserve.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 9:21

Do not dare to condemn God or imagine that he showed mercy on one and hardened another by accident, for it was according to the power of his foreknowledge that he gave each one his due. Nor is he guilty because he knew in advance what would happen, but rather each of those who was foreknown in this way is responsible for his own actions, whether good or evil.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 10:5

Paul says that the man who fulfilled the law would enjoy the good things promised by it, that is to say, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 10:7

The Word of God leaves believers in no doubt either about the descent of the Lord from heaven for our sake or about the resurrection from the dead and the ascent into heaven.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 10:21

It appears from the holding out of his hands that God is calling the people to himself. It is also a sign pointing toward the form of the cross.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 11:1

Fearing once again that exaggerating the rejection of the Jews might lead to a choice of disobedience, Paul turns to the small remnant of the election—the apostles and their fellow believers.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 11:3

Paul takes these words of Elijah and applies them by analogy to the Savior, in that only a remnant obtained the grace of the promise.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 11:6

Grace shows the love for mankind of the one who gives it, but works demand compensation according to what they are worth.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 11:7

What was Israel seeking? The promise that they would be made sons and heirs of the universe.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 11:16

“First fruits” and “root” both refer here to the patriarchs, the lawgiver and the prophets. “Lump” and “branches” refer to the whole of the Jewish people.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 11:26

What does it mean to say that “all Israel will be saved?” Just as we say that the whole world and all the nations are being saved because everywhere and among all nations there are those who are coming to faith, so also “all Israel will be saved” does not mean that every one of them will be but that either those who were understood by Elijah or those who are scattered all over the world will one day come to faith.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:6

“Prophecy” means primarily the explanation of things which are unclear, whether future or past, whether present or hidden. “Prophecy” may also refer to the interpretation of a prophet’s words.

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Romans 12:8

“Exhortation” means the type of sermon in which we call those who are still in ignorance to faith in Christ. We do not at that point lay out the full meaning of the Christian life but give them the hope that if they believe in Christ they will enjoy everlasting blessings.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:13

The point here is that we should honor the saints and take care of their needs until they no longer have them.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:19

Paul uses the word wrath to describe God’s punishment, not because it is some kind of passion in God but because men would find it difficult to understand God’s judgment if they did not hear it compared to wrath. For since men respond to those who sin against them in wrath and anger, Scripture uses the same words to describe God’s reaction, because then the average person can hear and understand it.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH

Romans 12:20

Paul is not suggesting that we do anything wicked; on the contrary, he is wisely and cleverly checking and containing the violence of the one who is angry.

PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH