to see its connexion with the apostle's object. It may be considered as virtually a parenthesis. ' The gospel must be and has been widely pro- claimed, though indeed all have not obeyed it, as had been predicted by Isaiah ; when he exclaimed, Lord, who hath believed our report]' The word rendered report is that which in the next verse is rendered hearing. It properly means the faculty of hearing, then something heard, and thus is put for discourse, doctrine, or instruction,
(17) So then faith cometh hy hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Though this verse receives its form from the preceding, it is logi- cally connected with vs. 14, 15. The conclusion from what had there been said is, 'Faith is founded on instruction, and this instruction sup- poses a divine communication.' If men therefore are to believe, they must hear the message of God ; and that such a message is delivered of course supposes that God has spoken, and has spoken what is to be delivered, as his word, to all those who are expected to believe. It seems to be the apostle's object to show that such a report as could be the ground of faith could only proceed on the basis of a divine commu- nication, and therefore as such a report was actually to be made to the Gentiles, it implied that the divine message, the word of God, or the gospel, was designed for them as well as for the Jews.
(18) But I say. Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, &c. The concise and abrupt manner of argument and expression in this and the verses which precede and follow, renders the apostle's meaning somewhat doubtful.
Paul's object in the whole context is to vindicate the propriety of ex- tending the gospel call to all nations. This he had beautifully done in vs. 14, 15, by showing that preaching was a necessary means of accom- plishing the clearly revealed will of God, that men of all nations should participate in his grace. ' True, indeed, as had been foretold, the merci- ful offers of the gospel were not universally accepted, v. 16, but still faith cometh by hearing, and therefore the gospel should be widely preached, v. 17. Well, has not this been done 1 has not the angel of mercy broke loose from his long confinement within the pale of the Jew- ish church, and made to all nations the proclamation of pardon "? v. 18.' This verse, therefore, is to be considered as a strong declaration that what Paul had proved ought to be done, had in fact been accomplished. The middle wall of partition had been broken down, the gospel of salva- tion, the religion of God, was free from its trammels, the offers of mercy were as wide and general as the proclamation of the heavens. This idea the apostle beautifully and appositely expresses in the sublime language of Ps. 19, " The heavens declare the glory of God, day unto day uttereth speech, there is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard, their line is gone through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." The last verse contains the words used by the apostle. His object in using the words of the psalmist was, no doubt, to convey more clearly and affectingly to the minds of his hearers the idea that the pro-