Romans 9:20-24

God's Sovereign Choice

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 - 24 even us whom he i has called, j not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

  1. Cross References
    Job 33:13
    Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of man's words'?
  2. 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'?
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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?
  8. 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.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
  10. Cross References
    Romans 3:29
    Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.