Dare to Understand Romans 9?

Romans 9 has caused readers to question, debate and form various opinions that sometimes separate believers. From what I can find, questions and conclusions about God’s election have been recorded since Augustine’s book “Confessions,” written in 397/398 A.D., and Pelagius’s response to Augustine in 405 A.D. Then the debate continued through centuries up to this very day.

Here’s the thing. While the church has had many good leaders, none of these leaders were called directly by Jesus to be Apostles within the founding of the church; the leaders who laid the foundation (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 3:11) authored what we accept as the closed canon of Scripture by the Holy Spirit.   

The Apostle Paul expounded on the perplexity between human free will and Divine election while he explained that Israel’s temporary blindness was and is for God’s purpose.  He demonstrated that BOTH  Divine election and human choice have been a part of God’s principles from the beginning.  As we navigate this chapter, we will see that he gave three historical examples of God’s election and a picture-parable to help readers understand some difficult truths that apply to all people (although he was writing about Israel primarily).

May the LORD keep us grounded in that which “ is written” in God’s Word.

My Study Notes Outline:

1. The Promise is According to God’s Choice or Election (Romans 9:6-13)
   • Examples of Isaac instead of Ishmael; and, Jacob instead of Esau
2. God Said Mercy is Based on God’s Will and For His Glory (Romans 9:14-18)
   • Example of the hardening of Pharoah’s heart
3. The Creator’s Purpose is that People from All Nations Will be His People (Romans 9:19-26)
   • Reference to the Old Testament picture of a potter.
4. God Will Preserve a Remnant by His Mercy (Romans 9:27-29)
5. All Who Believe in Jesus Through Faith Will Not Be Disappointed (Romans 9:30-33)

The very important “covenant affirming” background to this study blog can be found in the first few verses of Romans 9 (1-5) and studied in my previous blog at this link: Humility in God’s Election

Ok, grab your Bibles, and let’s dig in. And remember, what you choose to reject or accept is up to you.  

Every believer must know for themselves what is true.  Hopefully, it is determined from reading the Bible through which the Holy Spirit will confirm your thinking.

The Promise is According to God’s Choice or Election (Romans 9:6-13)

Paul wrote the most fulsome account of the Gospel of God (which is both repentance toward Father God and faith toward His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 20:21, 24) at a time when:

1. the message of justification by faith was being attacked by Judaizers who wanted to maintain all the Jewish Laws and traditions;  
2. antinomianism was on the rise (antinomianism comes from two Greek words: anti and nomos meaning against law or rules) perverting the meaning of God’s grace resulting in licentiousness which Paul argued against in Romans 6:1-12, Romans 8:6-7, and Ephesians 4:17-24; and
3. Roman paganism mixed with Greek polytheism was still widely practiced.

In my previous study blog, a great deal of time was spent understanding what God had given the Israelites which is the background for this study.  Romans 9:4-5 states that the Israelites were given (1) the Adoption (different than the Church’s); (2) the glory (physically manifesting to them); (3) the covenants (conditional and unconditional); (4) the law (civil, ceremonial, and moral); (5) the Tabernacle/Temple service and worship of God; (6) the promises for an earthly Kingdom; and (7) the Messiah who would be their deliverer King from their lineage.   After the children of Israel were given so much access to God and prophetic foreshadows of the Messiah for salvation, the majority of Jews did not accept Jesus (perhaps because His first coming was that of a suffering servant and not a ruling earthly king).  

The New Living Translation expands on this verse as follows:

• “Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!” (Romans 9:6 NLT)

Jesus’s disciples were Jewish and the early church was primarily Jewish but was rapidly spreading throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Before Christ’s crucifixion, when Jesus called Nathanael, He spoke of him saying:

• “…  Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” (John 1:47)

In Romans 9:3, Paul made it clear that there is a distinction between spiritual Israel whose hearts were turned toward God in belief versus physical Israel. Paul addressed this very same distinction earlier in the beginning of his letter. It is written:

• “For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?” (Romans 3:3)
• “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:13-16)

Please read Romans 9:7-9. This is where Paul’s first example of God’s election referring to Isaac instead of Ishmael is mentioned. His point is that the promises of God are based on His choosing and not because of human logic, desire, or humanity’s concept of fairness.  In verse 7, Paul referred to the following Scripture:

• “But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.” (Genesis 21:12)

In verse 9, Paul quoted what God told Abraham.

• “But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” (Genesis 17:21)
• “And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” … “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:10, 14)
• “For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” (Genesis 21:2)

Elsewhere Paul taught saying:

• “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar (for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children) but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4:21-26)
• “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)

Please read Romans 9:10-13. This is Paul’s second example of God’s election referring to Jacob instead of Esau. Let’s examine the Old Testament passage Paul referred to.

• “Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So, she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:21-23)

This exhibits a few characteristics of God: omniscient, sovereign, eternal, holy, and merciful.  

You might ask me why include “merciful” as an attribute of God for this text. In considering both of the twins’ actions, neither was worthy.  God was merciful to Jacob in choosing him, and please understand the only reason that we can know is that God chose because He wanted to.

Remember, Rebekah was barren (just like Sarah) and God granted her twins choosing one to inherit the covenant. He chose the second-born again.

Here we see God’s sovereign election and human activity bringing about that which God foreordains. Let’s think about this.

• Did Esau willingly give up his birthright?  Yes, he traded it for a bowl of soup.   
• Did Jacob deceive his father to receive a pronounced blessing?  Yes, he disguised himself to impersonate his brother and deceptively presented himself before his father.  
• Did both sons act unrighteously?  Yes, one did not value the promises and the other was a trickster.  
• Did Esau stop being the first-born son?  No, but he did lose his inheritance.
• Did Jacob become the first-born son? No, but he did gain the inheritance.

In Jewish culture, the first-born male receives a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) because (1) the LORD commanded it; (2) the first-born male took on the father’s role in responsibility for the family; (3) through the sacrificial system it appears that God has a special appreciation for the first of most things.

Now when Abraham was promised an inheritance, he had become the first Hebrew that was “called of God”.  Notably, the word ‘Hebrew’ is Strong’s H5680 in Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon means “one from beyond”. The word was first used Biblically in Genesis 14:13. As it is written:

• “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

That is trust!  

Scripture honours the first-born while giving precedent for elective inheritance as evidenced by Jacob and Esau. Inheritance is not necessarily automatic; rather, it involves the father’s choice to do what he wants with his possessions. As it is written:

• “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17)

Isaac did not repent from blessing Jacob; what he had pronounced remained although Esau had wanted the blessing (Genesis 27:32-41).   His heart was then hardened against his brother and God’s foreordained pronouncement about the twins began to play out.

The message for me is that while I am redeemed by the LORD and heaven is my home, my rewards or inheritance is not automatic; it will be my Father’s choice. Our rewards or crowns give God glory as it shows His goodness! (Revelation 4:9-11)

Can you imagine, Jesus Christ who was already the Son of God inherited the most excellent name and everything else because of His obedient submission to Father God’s plan? 

And Jesus wants to share that with the overcomers as a co-heir? Family of God, Jesus is worthy of all praise!

• “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1:1-4)
•  “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Jesus said:

• “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25)
• “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37)

In Luke 14:26, Jesus made it abundantly clear that if we don’t love him more than our own lives, we can not be His disciples. This tells me that I have to love Him enough to obey Him regardless of opposition. 

Thank God, He does not allow us to be tested above what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13)! Also know that what we can bear grows with maturity in Christ.

It is also written:

• “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world:  our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:1-5 NASB95)

God Said Mercy is Based on God’s Will and For His Glory (Romans 9:14-18)

Having understood that God’s election and foreknowledge provide the framework within which all human beings operate (including Esau’s and Jacob’s choices), we come to this passage that can cause trouble for a lot of people.  

Question: Have you ever had an occasion where you wanted those in authority over you to treat everyone the same? Has there been a situation where someone was shown favour for a role or gift; perhaps forgiveness from paying a fine or exception from a penalty? Perhaps there has been a situation where someone seemed to be unreasonably treated punitively.   How do you manage your feelings and attitudes when the terms are set by someone else and in your opinion it’s not fair? 

Friends, life is not fair. Every person is given a set of circumstances that are beyond their control as an entryway to life.  

Consider when, where, and to whom you were born. What about your genes, some aspects of your personality, the uninvited people who happen to share time and space with you?

Please read Romans 9:14-19. This is where Paul pointed to his third Old Testament example of God’s sovereignty in the hardening of Pharoah’s heart. We will now examine the concepts of election, justice, and equity relative to God and what He has revealed to us in His Word. Paul navigated through God’s:

1	electing to pass over Esau and grant the covenantal inheritance to Jacob	(foretold:  Genesis 25:21-23; the LORD confirmed His election: Genesis 28:10-22; Malachi 1:2-3);
2	hardening of Pharoah’s heart; while alluding to God choosing to be	(foretold – Exodus 4:21, Exodus 7:3; Pharoah chose to harden heart – Exodus 8:15, 32; the Lord reinforced Pharoah’s choice – Exodus 9:1; Pharoah forewarned – Exodus 9:16; Pharoah and his servants hardened their hearts – Exodus 9:34; the Lord took responsibility for hardening their hearts and confirmed His purpose Exodus 10:1, Exodus 10:20, 27, Exodus 11:10; foretold destruction of Pharoah’s military – Exodus 14:4; the Lord solidified the hardening – Exodus 14:8)
3	forgiving in the way He dealt with the erroring children of Israel (descendants of Jacob) after their worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32 and 33) and Moses’ intercession.	(the Lord’s reply concerning His election for the children of Israel – Exodus 33:13-19)

Let’s read the Romans 9 passage on this. I have inserted indicators into the passage that correlate with the above-noted actions (and their cross-references).

When I think of this passage, I also reflect that God chose to raise Moses to be a deliverer and mediator after being protected in the house of Pharoah Thutmose III who was oppressing the children of Israel and ordering the execution of their children.  At the time of the Exodus, God has ‘raised up’ Amenhotep II to be Pharoah (according to  John Whitcomb’s system of dating, Professor, Th.D.).

Throughout Scripture we find God forewarning of future events which provides human beings with the ability to make informed decisions. He has given us creation to testify to His existence. He has given us Scripture containing prophecy. And in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scripture, He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, human beings do what they want based on what they value most (regardless of the era they live in).  

• Esau would not have died if he waited to get some nutrition; and, he could have bartered something else in exchange for the soup.  He did not value his birthright so when he was confronted with hunger pains, he easily gave in to Jacob’s coercion.  He could have held out if he had faith in the promise; he did not believe in it nor value it. Esau’s actions later (Genesis 27:41) demonstrated the condition of his heart toward his brother (and his parents too if you consider how Isaac and Rebekah would have felt if Esau had killed Jacob).  
• Pharoah did not value the word of the LORD delivered by Moses despite the direct warning (Exodus 9:16).  He rejected the miraculous signs and the message. He continued to dig his heels in with his desire to have slaves serve his purpose.  Each time Pharoah rejected God’s command, he cooperated with the hardening of his heart.  The LORD cemented the desires of Pharoah’s heart; and, in the end, his pride and antagonism toward the children of Israel delivered him to a watery grave.

So, we see that God forewarns, and within His election, allows for human choice with its consequences. It is written:

• “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” (Romans 2:5)
• “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. For He repays man according to his work, and makes man to find a reward according to his way. Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.” (Job 34:10-12)

When He decides to show mercy, He does. It is written:

• “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9:16)

Election is well explained throughout the book of Romans and Paul has consistently communicated what he learned from Christ in other epistles:

• “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)
• “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
• “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:3-5)
• “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Jesus said:

• “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in [trusts, relies on]  Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” …”No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in [trusts, relies on] Me has everlasting life.” (John 6:40-47)

We all have free will within the framework of God’s sovereignty and election. And our first choice is to reject God (John 3:18-20). But His initiative prevails.  

In the case of Pharoah, it was God’s choice to leave Pharoah in his fallen state.  

Let’s consider the 12 disciples and focus on God’s election, foreknowledge (which exists outside of time in eternity), and human choice (which exists in time on earth). What conclusions will you draw from the following accounts in the book of John?  

Jesus explains election in His interaction with those who are responding to His call.  Notice there is a general call and a specific call to an individual. Those who are not called effectually, do not remain as true disciples as God has not done the work in their hearts. Jesus said:

• “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (John 6:63-70)

Note Christ’s response to the statement “we have come to believe and know”. Jesus reminded them that any knowledge or insight was based on Divine election.

One year after this event we see that Judas was already contemplating betraying Jesus. He did not reject the thoughts that were planted in his mind; instead, he meditated on them even though he had heard Jesus forewarn that one of the 12 was a devil.  

• “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,” (John 13:1-2)

Later in this text, Jesus said:

• “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ “Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” (John 13:18-27)

Here we see that Jesus took the initiative to arrange the timing of His betrayal by identifying Judas (who could no longer covertly plan the opportune time because he was exposed). Jesus cemented Judas in what he had already decided to do and then Satan fueled Judas with the determination to stand against the very Son of God.

So, the Father and the Son elected 11 of the individually chosen disciples for salvation and hardened the desire of 1 of the chosen disciples which fulfilled what was foreseen by God in eternity and communicated by Jesus (Psalms 109:6-8; Acts 1:16-20; Acts 2:23; Zechariah 11:12-13).  And, in doing so, fulfilled the Scripture that the Holy Spirit moved upon David to embed in Psalms 41:9 which Jesus quoted in John 13:18. 

Judas was fully responsible for his choices AND we know that Jesus initiated the calling of Judas in the first place. Judas acted upon his desires by meeting with the chief priest to inquire about the reward for betrayal (Matthew 26:14-16) before Jesus hardened his decision at the final Passover meal.  

Likewise, Jesus elected Peter for salvation and elected to be merciful to him despite Peter’s denial of Christ. Jesus foretold what Peter would do (Luke 22:31-34), and assured Peter that he would return to following Christ because He had interceded for Peter (it was the LORD’s will to preserve and be merciful to him). After he returned, it was his responsibility to become an overcomer and partaker to inherit the eternal promises. No wonder Peter wrote:

Jesus said:

• “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:37-38)

The Creator’s Purpose is that Individuals from All Nations Will be His People (Romans 9:19-26)

It’s human nature to look for someone to blame. When it comes to matters of faith or life-altering situations, many blame God.  People ask why He didn’t intervene in the way they would want Him to. Some get angry at Him and His message that calls for people everywhere to repent and believe in His Messenger, the Christ. Paul predicted this type of question about God’s election. 

Please read Romans 9:19-26. In verse 19, Paul put forward a question that any thinking person might ponder. 

Verse 20, reminds us that the created have no say in how they are created or why.  This would be the right perspective. As an educated expert in the Torah, Paul used familiar Old Testament language from Jeremiah and Isaiah to image the potter’s prerogative with the clay.

Now, remember that Romans 9 is speaking about God’s dealing with the chosen children of Israel after they were handed over to temporary blindness after rejecting their Messiah (which was both foretold in Prophecy – Daniel 9:24-26).  Most of the children of Israel willfully refused to believe Christ’s message which He lamented over in Matthew 23:37-39. 

This demonstrates that God does not take pleasure in the poor choices people make even though He foreknows everything. (Ezekiel 33:11) But in everything, God will get the glory!

The context of Romans 9 includes the authority of Scripture, God’s election, and His character.   Let’s read Jeremiah’s prophecy. It is written:

• “The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!” (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

The rest of this Jeremiah passage goes on to warn Israel by God’s instruction to repent and return to the Lord. They respond with “That is hopeless! So, we will walk according to our own plans” in verse 12 and then verbally assault Jeremiah for his warnings in verse 18. Jeremiah’s role was to prophesy about the imminent judgment coming to Israel for their continual disobedience and idolatry. They were to go into captivity, Jerusalem was to be destroyed, and then at the appointed time, be restored under Cyrus (whom God would ‘raise up’ from the Gentiles for His purposes).

Isaiah also used the same “potter and clay” language:

• “Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?” (Isaiah 29:16)
• “But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

In Romans 9 verses 22 – 26, Paul provided an eternal perspective on why the children of Israel were permitted in God’s sovereignty to reject their Messiah. While Christ came to the Jews first (John 1:11; Matthew 15:24), their initial rejection of Him and God’s hardening through temporary blindness allowed for all of the other nations to come into the covenant (Romans 11:30-32, 1 Peter 2:9-10); the new covenant of grace and not of Mosaic Law. Paul puts it this way in Ephesians:

• “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Therefore, remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh (who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:4-13)

Now as we navigate through Romans 9, we come to 3 verses that many have a problem with especially if they currently have no relationship with Christ, or have loved ones who are not walking with the Lord. I think we all have someone we love who is not regenerated; I have a few who I am praying for.

While this passage applies to all individuals (100%), in the context of Romans 9, Paul was writing about the children of Israel, God’s election and the certainty of Scripture.

• “Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,” (Romans 9:21-23)

Let’s answer some questions. Here are 7 that I asked; perhaps you have more. Whatever question you ask, be sure to find your answers prayerfully in Scripture.

Question	Answer	Reference
Who is the potter in this passage?	Father God	From text passage
Who is the clay in this passage?	Humanity	From text passage
What is a vessel?	A vessel is an instrument by which something is done. Typically, it holds or carries. Scripturally, nations, people, and tabernacle/temple apparatus have been referred to as vessels. Notice the vessels are taken from the same lump of clay.	2 Timothy 2:20; Genesis 3:19
What is the difference between a vessel for honour versus another for dishonour?	The human fallen nature/flesh cooperating with the spirit of the antichrist, the devil.  Notice that God endures and suffers long with human beings who are offending His holiness. It takes great forbearance and restraint to suppress the penalty of justifiable abhorrence against unrepentant human obstinacy and opposition to God’s goodness, mercy, and righteousness. God has set a date to pour out His wrath.	2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; John 3:36; Acts 9:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
Who prepares the vessel of wrath for destruction and when?	The human fallen nature/flesh cooperating with the spirit of antichrist, the devil.  Notice that God endures and suffers long with human beings who are offending His holiness. It takes great forbearance and restraint to suppress the penalty of justifiable abhorrence against unrepentant human obstinacy and opposition to God’s goodness, mercy, and righteousness. God has set a date to pour out His wrath.	1 John 2:16-17; 1 John 4:2-3; John 3:18-20; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 8:5-7; Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:31
Who prepares the vessel of mercy and when?	In terms of human time, once a human being responds to God’s grace and effectual call in faith concerning Christ, the Holy Spirit works with the believer to sanctify them for glory.   God’s initiation; our response.	John 17:17; 1 John 4:17, 19; 1 John 3:1; John 15:16; John 14:26; Romans 8:29-30
How is this righteous?	This is righteous because God is the sovereign authority of His creation. Everything and everyone belongs to the Lord. He sets the terms and answers to no one. He doesn’t even need to explain Himself to us yet He has provided us His Word so that we can begin to learn about Him.   If God did not elect to save some, then everyone would experience wrath. God’s purpose in election provided the means for the Messiah to pay the penalty for sin; His hardening provided a time when the Gentiles and Jews could be saved by grace through faith.   God’s electing intervention and His hardening also demonstrate His power in the sense of His liberty of doing as He pleases regardless of the sum of creation’s might.  Consider the Creator’s choice over the angelic, humanity, animal kingdom, nature, and cosmos. We do not have the power of choice over all of these things.	Ephesians 1:10-11; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:5-6; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:16; Colossians 2:15; Job 40:2, 8; Job 38:4; Romans 11:25; Luke 13:35; Proverbs 16:4

Every person is born with a nature that rebels and opposes God’s ways and principles (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Romans 8:7) and as such, is on the way (while unbelieving or disobedient) to a place away from God; to an eternity without goodness and love.  Sin appoints or destines to death (Romans 6:23). While God reveals Himself to all people through Creation and the earthly life of Christ; God takes the initiative to intervene by revealing Himself to individuals. We have the responsibility to respond in faith to be saved. Those who simply put their trust in Jesus and His teachings have eternal life.  

How are you responding to God?

From this point on Paul navigated to the inclusion of the other nations as the purpose for the hardening of the children of Israel who rejected Jesus as the Messiah.  Romans 9:24 echoes what he said in Romans 3:29. Now, notice how God elects to justify or save all people.

• “Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” (Romans 3:29-30)

Approximately a decade before Paul’s letter to the Romans, Paul preached in Pisidian Antioch:

When Luke documented this account, he stated that those” who were appointed to eternal life believed”. 

Paul quoted Isaiah 49:6 to demonstrate it was God’s purpose for the Gentiles to be saved. In Romans 9:25-26, Paul quoted the LORD speaking to Hosea:

Speaking of the Israel being sowed to reap Gentile salvation:

• “Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’ “ (Hosea 2:23)

Speaking of the children of Israel’s destiny to be restored in the same place where they had rejected the Lord (He permitted it):

• “Then God said: “Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God. “Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’” (Hosea 1:9-10)

God Will Preserve a Remnant by His Mercy (Romans 9:27-29)

Sometimes people make conclusions about people, events, and things based on a temporal perspective. 

For the greater majority of people, a life span currently does not exceed 120 years. So from a limited perspective of the past, present, and logical probable future, we create theories and teachings that aren’t necessarily correct. When we consider science, we must admit that as humanity continues to learn, we disprove or uncover new “facts”.  

This is true with the church at large. In the centuries following Christ’s resurrection, there were reputable church fathers (who were devout) that greatly influenced how the church interpreted Scripture; and I wonder whether their teachings would have changed if they had lived after Israel became a nation again. The Lord continues to raise leaders as under-shepherds of Christ’s flock and calls every believer to be salt and light, sharing the reason for our faith. That said, there were only 12 appointed directly by Jesus as an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel. While other Apostles were added by Christ such as Paul and Christ’s half-brother James (Galatians 1:12, 15-19; 1Corinthians 15:5-8), there were only 8 known authors who had both the authority and inspiration to write Scripture, and the canon is closed with Christ’s impartation to John in Revelation.

As it is written:

• “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16)
• “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)

Everything that I have read and studied in context states that God has reserved for Himself a remnant from all nations in every era! The covenants of God remain. Not that I want to get ahead of my studies, but the cross-references for this chapter included Romans 11 which makes it clear that Israel’s rejection of the Messiah was not all-encompassing nor final. God keeps His promises and elects a people for himself from every era and nation. In fact, according to Scripture, His election was from eternity past.  

Have you noticed that Paul quoted from the Old Testament Scripture to help readers understand the doctrine of God’s sovereign election? He used the authority of Scripture (quoted in verses 6, 9,13, 17,25, 33) and his authority as an Apostle to make this clear to us. In Romans 9:27-29, it becomes clear that God will ensure the children of Israel will be numerous as promised to Abraham; and, both Isaiah and Paul confirm that God will righteously deal swiftly with the unrepentant and He will save a remnant; the rest will be cut off like Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24, 28). It is written:

• “Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.” And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the LORD of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah.” (Romans 9:27-29)

The following are the references Paul quoted:  verse 27 refers to Isaiah 10:20-23; verse 28 refers to Isaiah 30:12-14 which includes the words “He shall break it like the breaking of the potter’s vessel”; verse 29 refers to Isaiah 1:9 and Isaiah 6:13)

I have used the words of Christ to confirm my understanding.   

• “Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. “But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. “But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” (Matthew 11:20-26)

Jesus announced the gospel to all; to Jews first and then everyone else.  Then He took His Jewish disciples aside (a remnant of the crowd) and explained all the parables He told. It is written:

• “He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. “And in them, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;” (Matthew 13:11-16)

Jesus also said:

• “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

All Who Believe in Jesus Through Faith will Not Be Disappointed (Romans 9:30 -33)

If you haven’t already, please read Romans 9:30-32 now. In this passage, Paul closed the narrative about Israel’s past and moved to their current state. He contrasted how many Gentiles have received the imputed righteousness of God through faith and how the current generations of the children of Israel have not.  He also provided the prophetic reason for it in verse 33.

The only reason the children of Israel still exist after being persecuted and disbursed again is because God intervenes in the affairs of humanity. This is the case for all nations and individuals.   As far as Israel, God’s covenant with them assures a remnant will always exist.  

If God did not show grace and mercy, all people would be continuously subjected to the evils of fallen man, the horrific desires of the devil, and ultimately destined to a fiery eternity.

If anyone is in the Kingdom of God, it is only because they have responded to God’s initiative of grace. (John 15:19, 1 John 4:10, 19)

In Romans 9:30: observe that God imputes righteousness based on faith in Him and what He has promised (i.e. Jesus the Messiah) which is a contrast from the works of ceremonial rituals and laws (this is true in every era because saving faith in God leads to obedience; for examples that predate the children of Israel, consider Abel in Hebrews 11:4, Noah in Hebrews 11: 7, and Abraham in Hebrews 11: 8).  These laws and ceremonies were types or act as a tutor to bring us to Christ.

When Christ was teaching from Isaiah 61: 1 and 2 in a synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath, He said:

• … “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. “But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; “but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,” (Luke 4:24-28)

The people were angry because in both of those instances, the esteemed Old Testament prophets under the law, by God’s, power provided merciful care and grace to Gentiles who received them by faith which led to their obedient actions. But they had to believe the words of the prophet first. Why did they believe the prophet? A few verses earlier (Luke 4:16-21), Jesus also explained that He was indeed sent to fulfill the prophecy given to the Jews, and then He followed that (Luke 4:24-28) by adding that Gentiles (who were not under the law) were always in God’s plan of grace for all humanity by referring to those Old Testament Gentiles documented in Jewish Scripture.

Verse 30 confirms salvation is by faith and not by any human effort because many Gentiles who were not trying to be saved, got saved.  This is purely a redemptive work of God by His grace that initiates human response by faith. Galatians 2:16; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:19-20, 28; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 3:11.

Romans 9:31 relays this type of thought: So, what do you do with the children of Israel who were devoted and with such effort tried to be right with God through unsuccessfully keeping the law? Doesn’t effort count for anything?

Romans 9:32 explains that the children of Israel who did not trust God but relied on their efforts and self-righteousness lacked faith. This applies to all people.  Regardless of how hard we work for God’s kingdom, if we do not rely on the sufficiency of Jesus Christ for the total atonement of our sins, then our works are meaningless.  In this case, someone is relying strictly on human efforts.  

The only one who can make us right with God is God. It’s by His will that He extends His grace as He elects, then our response of faith in His Messiah, Jesus Christ. This is why so many of the children of Israel currently have difficulty with Jesus. Jesus is a stumbling stone placed in the path which was prophesied. If anyone is blind to the stone they are confronted by, they will trip and fall.  

• “As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33)

As Christ preached:

• “… saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Peter, a believing Jewish disciple wrote through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit saying:

• “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

Wrapping All of it Up

There are two major considerations here:  

Now, you don’t have to agree with what I have gleaned from studying God’s Word, but you have the responsibility to know for yourself what Scripture says. I hope you take the time to read and digest for yourself. Allow the Holy Spirit to confirm or correct anything written here.

I close this study blog with this promise that wraps up this chapter and takes us into the next.

• “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

All Scripture in this blog is from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.