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 9:33 mean?

Explanation

Romans 9:33 discusses the figure of Jesus Christ as both a "stumblingstone" and a "rock of offence" to some, yet also as the foundation upon which believers' faith is secure, so that they will not feel shame.

The verse can be understood literally as describing Jesus as a literal stone that causes one to stumble.

However, the deeper meaning is metaphorical: Jesus is a divine obstacle for those who refuse to believe in him, yet a secure foundation for those who do.

The idea of believers not being ashamed conveys a sense of confidence and vindication through faith in Christ. In the early Christian community, believing in Jesus as the Messiah could lead to shame or persecution, but Paul reassures believers that their faith will ultimately be justified.

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Historical Context

The Apostle Paul is the author of the Letter to the Romans, and Romans 9:33 is part of a broader argument about God's sovereign choice and mercy.

The letter was written around 56-58 A.D. to a predominantly Gentile audience in Rome.

Paul uses the "stumblingstone" imagery to address the tension between Jewish and Gentile segments of the early Church and the broader issue of Jewish unbelief in Jesus as the Messiah.

Theological Insights

Theological interpretations of this verse vary:

Traditional Christian theology sees this verse as confirmation of Jesus as the cornerstone of faith.
Reformed theology might emphasize God's sovereignty in salvation, highlighting the destined stumbling of some as part of God's plan.
Liberation theology may interpret the "not be ashamed" aspect as a rallying cry for social justice and advocacy in the face of oppression.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse encourages believers to maintain steadfast faith despite opposition or societal pressures. It can be a source of strength for those facing ridicule or marginalization for their beliefs and a reminder to look to Christ as the foundation for life decisions and morality.

Cross-References

Isaiah 8:14: "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem."
1 Peter 2:6: "Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."
Isaiah 28:16: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

"Stumblingstone" (προσκόμματος, proskommatos): This word means an obstacle that causes one to trip or fall.
"Rock of offence" (πέτρας σκανδάλου, petras skandalou): "Petras" meaning rock or stone, and "skandalou," from which we get the word "scandal," suggests a trap or snare.
"Believeth" (πιστεύων, pisteuon): Implies faith or trust in the subject (in this case, Christ).
"Ashamed" (καταισχυνθήσεται, kataischynthēsetai): Means to be put to shame, disgraced, or disappointed.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The imagery of a cornerstone or foundation stone is found in various ancient cultures as symbolizing strength, foundation, and the beginning of something significant.

Similar concepts can be found in Egyptian and Mesopotamian religions, where stones represent solidity, endurance, and the essence of creation.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse is spiritual and metaphorical, speaking to faith and the human condition, rather than natural phenomena.

As such, it does not intersect directly with scientific understandings, although the psychological effects of belief and the social dynamics related to religious adherence are studied within social science fields.

commentaries

Various Bible commentators offer insights on this verse:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the duality of Christ's role as both a sanctuary to those who believe and a stone of stumbling to those who reject him.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible suggests that the process of both stumbling and being raised up serves to reveal God's power and mercy.
The New International Commentary on the New Testament describes the verse as reflecting a profound paradox of the Christian message: Christ is at once the occasion for offense and the source of salvation.

Romans 9

Romans 9

What does Romans 9:33 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 9:33 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?