Romans 9:14-23

God's Sovereign Choice

14 What shall we say then? w Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, x "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, 1 but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, y "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For z who can resist his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, a to answer back to God? b Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 c Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump d one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience e vessels of wrath f prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known g the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he h has prepared beforehand for glory -

  1. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:4
    The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
    2 Chronicles 19:7
    Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.
    Job 8:3
    Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
    Job 34:10
    Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.
    Psalms 92:15
    To declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
  2. Cross References
    Exodus 33:19
    And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The Lord.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 33:19
    And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The Lord.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
  4. Cross References
    Exodus 9:16
    But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 9:16
    But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
  6. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 20:6
    And said, "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.
    Job 9:12
    Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?
    Daniel 4:35
    All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?
  7. Cross References
    Job 33:13
    Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of man's words'?
  8. Cross References
    Isaiah 29:16
    You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"?
    Isaiah 45:9
    Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles'?
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 64:8
    But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
    Jeremiah 18:6
    O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
  10. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:20
    Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 9:21
    Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
    Romans 9:23
    In order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory -
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
  12. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:4
    The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
    1 Peter 2:8
    And "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
  13. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:16
    That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
  14. Cross References
    Romans 8:29
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.