{Maketh thee to differ} (se diakrinei). Distinguishes thee,
separates thee. Diakrin(935c) means to sift or separate between
(dia) as in  Ac 15:9  (which see) where metaxu is added to
make it plainer. All self-conceit rests on the notion of
superiority of gifts and graces as if they were self-bestowed or
self-acquired. {Which thou didst not receive} (ho ouk elabes).
"Another home-thrust" (Robertson and Plummer). Pride of
intellect, of blood, of race, of country, of religion, is thus
shut out. {Dost thou glory} (kauchasai). The original second
person singular middle ending -sai is here preserved with
variable vowel contraction, kauchaesai=kauchasai (Robertson,
_Grammar_, p. 341). Paul is fond of this old and bold verb for
boasting. {As if thou hadst not received it} (h(9373) m(8820)lab(936e)).
This neat participial clause (second aorist active of lamban(935c))
with h(9373) (assumption) and negative m(885c) punctures effectually
the inflated bag of false pride. What pungent questions Paul has
asked. Robertson and Plummer say of Augustine, "Ten years before
the challenge of Pelagius, the study of St. Paul's writings, and
especially of this verse and of  Ro 9:16 , had crystallized in
his mind the distinctively Augustinian doctrines of man's total
depravity, of irresistible grace, and of absolute
predestination." Human responsibility does exist beyond a doubt,
but there is no foundation for pride and conceit.