Romans Chapter 9 marks a shift in Paul’s letter as he addresses the difficult and emotional topic of Israel’s rejection of the Gospel. Paul expresses deep sorrow over the fact that many of his fellow Israelites, despite being God’s chosen people and recipients of His promises, have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah. He reflects on the privileges given to Israel, including the covenants, the law, and the promises, yet acknowledges that not all descendants of Abraham are automatically part of God’s spiritual promise.
The chapter explores the theme of God’s sovereign choice, using examples such as Isaac and Ishmael, and Jacob and Esau, to show that God’s plan has always involved selection based on His purpose rather than human merit or effort. Paul defends God’s justice and sovereignty, addressing objections about fairness by emphasizing God’s authority as the Creator, similar to a potter shaping clay. The chapter concludes by explaining that righteousness comes through faith, not through works of the law, and that many Gentiles have received this righteousness while many in Israel pursued the law without embracing faith in Christ. This chapter lays important groundwork for Paul’s broader discussion on Israel’s place in God’s redemptive plan.
Chapter 9 (BBE)
1 I say what is true in Christ, and not what is false, my mind giving witness with me in the Holy Spirit,
3 For I have a desire to take on myself the curse for my brothers, my family in the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites: who have the place of sons, and the glory, and the agreements with God, and the giving of the law, and the worship, and the hope offered by God:
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom came Christ in the flesh, who is over all, God, to whom be blessing for ever. So be it.
6 But it is not as if the word of God was without effect. For they are not all Israel, who are of Israel:
7 And they are not all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, In Isaac will your seed be named.
8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh, but the children of God’s undertaking, who are named as the seed.
9 For this is the word of God’s undertaking, At this time will I come, and Sarah will have a son.
10 And not only so, but Rebecca being about to have a child by our father Isaac–
11 Before the children had come into existence, or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose and his selection might be effected, not by works, but by him whose purpose it is,
12 It was said to her, The older will be the servant of the younger.
13 Even as it is said, I had love for Jacob, but for Esau I had hate.
14 What may we say then? is God not upright? let it not be said.
15 For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and pity on whom I will have pity.
16 So then, it is not by the desire or by the attempt of man, but by the mercy of God.
17 For the holy Writings say to Pharaoh, For this same purpose did I put you on high, so that I might make my power seen in you, and that there might be knowledge of my name through all the earth.
18 So then, at his pleasure he has mercy on a man, and at his pleasure he makes the heart hard.
19 But you will say to me, Why does he still make us responsible? who is able to go against his purpose?
20 But, O man, who are you, to make answer against God? May the thing which is made say to him who made it, Why did you make me so?
21 Or has not the potter the right to make out of one part of his earth a vessel for honour, and out of another a vessel for shame?
22 What if God, desiring to let his wrath and his power be seen, for a long time put up with the vessels of wrath which were ready for destruction:
23 And to make clear the wealth of his glory to vessels of mercy, which he had before made ready for glory,
24 Even us, who were marked out by him, not only from the Jews, but from the Gentiles?
25 As he says in Hosea, They will be named my people who were not my people, and she will be loved who was not loved.
26 And in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, there they will be named the sons of the living God.
27 And Isaiah says about Israel, Even if the number of the children of Israel is as the sand of the sea, only a small part will get salvation:
28 For the Lord will give effect to his word on the earth, putting an end to it and cutting it short.
29 And, as Isaiah had said before, If the Lord of armies had not given us a seed, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.
30 What then may we say? That the nations who did not go after righteousness have got righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith:
31 But Israel, going after a law of righteousness, did not get it.
32 Why? Because they were not searching for it by faith, but by works. They came up against the stone which was in the way;
33 As it is said, See, I am putting in Zion a stone causing a fall, and a rock in the way: but he who has faith in him will not be put to shame.
Important Verses
Verse 6 This verse clarifies that not all who descend from Israel are truly part of God’s spiritual promise, showing a distinction between physical and spiritual lineage.
Verse 11 Paul explains that God’s choice of Jacob over Esau was made before either had done anything, emphasizing that it was based on God’s purpose rather than works.
Verse 15 and 16 These verses highlight God’s sovereign mercy, showing that God’s choices are not dependent on human will or effort but on His compassion.
Verse 20 and 21 Paul uses the analogy of a potter and clay to defend God’s authority to shape His creation according to His purposes.
Verse 30 and 31 These verses show the irony that Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness attained it through faith, while Israel, pursuing the law, did not fully reach righteousness through faith.
Verse 33 This verse quotes Isaiah, describing Christ as a stumbling stone, showing that many rejected Him despite the opportunity for faith.
