Romans 9

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

What does Romans 9:21 mean?

Explanation

The verse Romans 9:21 comes from a larger section where the Apostle Paul discusses God's sovereignty and the destiny of Israel.

In this metaphor, God is likened to a potter who has complete control over the clay, shaping it as he pleases.

The two kinds of vessels mentioned, "unto honour" and "unto dishonour", represent people or groups whom God, according to His sovereign will, prepares for different ends.

Some are prepared for glory and others for destruction or a less noble purpose. The deeper meaning behind this metaphor speaks to the concept of divine prerogative and the idea that God's ways and decisions are often beyond human understanding.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Romans was written by Paul circa 57 A.D. to a mixed community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome.

The book addresses the themes of salvation, the righteousness of God, and God's plan for Israel.

At the time, the early church was grappling with its Jewish heritage and the inclusion of Gentiles.

The passage suggests that just as a potter has the right to shape clay into different types of vessels, God has the right to shape human destiny.

Theological Insights

From a Calvinist viewpoint, Romans 9:21 is often cited in support of the doctrine of predestination, which holds that God has foreordained all that will happen, including the eternal fate of every soul.

In contrast, Arminian theology emphasizes human free will and God's foreknowledge rather than predestining all events. Open Theists would argue that the verse reflects God's ability to work creatively and responsively with His creations rather than a deterministic control over them.

Practical Applications

This verse can challenge individuals to reflect on the sovereignty of God and the human response to divine authority.

It may encourage believers to trust in God's purpose for their lives, even when that purpose is not immediately clear or seems difficult to accept.

It also calls for humility, recognizing that just as clay does not question the potter, humans are not in a position to question God’s will or ways.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 18:3-6: This passage also uses the potter and clay metaphor to discuss God's authority to reshape and repurpose nations.
Isaiah 45:9: Here, it's highlighted that the clay should not strive with the potter, similar to the message in Romans 9:21.
2 Timothy 2:20-21: Discusses vessels of honor and dishonor, with a focus on personal sanctification.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, two key terms stand out:

"Kerameus" (potter): refers to one who molds and shapes clay; symbolically, it points to God as the creator and shaper.
"Timen" (honor) and "atimian" (dishonor): These terms contrast the value and purpose of the vessels, indicating that some vessels (or people) are destined for noble purposes, while others are not.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The potter and clay motif can be found in various ancient cultures.

For example, in ancient Mesopotamian myth, gods are depicted as potters who form humans from clay.

In Hinduism, the god Brahma is sometimes depicted as shaping the world like a potter.

These similarities provide a shared understanding of creation, though the theological implications differ across traditions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, this verse reflects a pre-scientific understanding of creation and hierarchy.

While modern science would support the fact that external forces can shape materials like clay, it does not speak to divine intentionality or purpose.

In discussions about free will and determinism, some might find parallels between the potter's deliberate shaping and genetic and environmental factors that influence human development.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and commentators have examined Romans 9:21. For instance:

John Calvin saw it as an affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty and the doctrine of election.
John Wesley, representing an Arminian perspective, might focus on God's justice and mercy, suggesting that God shapes according to the response of the individual to His grace.
Contemporary scholars, such as N.T.

Wright, interpret this passage in its broader narrative context, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His right to extend mercy as He sees fit.

Romans 9

Romans 9

What does Romans 9:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 9:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?