Romans 9

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9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
9:4 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;
9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
9:8 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.
9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
9:11 (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;)
9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
9:15 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.
9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
9:17 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.
9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
9:20 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?
9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
9:22 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:
9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
9:26 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.
9:27 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:
9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
9:29 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.
9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
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Everything King James Bible:Romans

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Romans
Book: Romans
Chapter: 9

Overview:
The Apostle's concern that his countrymen were strangers to
the Gospel. (1-5) The promises are made good to the spiritual
seed of Abraham. (6-13) Answers to objections against God's
sovereign conduct, in exercising Mercy and Justice. (14-24) This
Sovereignty is in God's dealing both with Jews and Gentiles.
(25-29) The falling short of the Jews is owing to their seeking
Justification, not By Faith, but By the Works of the Law.
(30-33)

1-5 Being about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the
Calling of the Gentiles, and to show that the whole agrees with
the sovereign electing Love of God, the Apostle expresses
strongly his Affection for his people. He solemnly appeals to
Christ; and his Conscience, enlightened and directed By the Holy
Spirit, bore Witness to his sincerity. He would submit to be
treated as "accursed," to be disgraced, crucified; and even for
a time be in the deepest horror and distress; if he could rescue
his nation from the Destruction about to come upon them for
their obstinate unbelief. To be insensible to the eternal
condition of our fellow-creatures, is contrary both to the Love
required By the Law, and the Mercy of the Gospel. They had long
been professed worshippers of Jehovah. The Law, and the national
Covenant which was grounded thereon, belonged to them. The
Temple Worship was typical of Salvation By the Messiah, and the
means of Communion with God. All the promises concerning Christ
and his Salvation were given to them. He is not only over all,
as Mediator, but he is God blessed for ever.

6-13 The rejection of the Jews By the Gospel Dispensation, did
not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and
threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the
Blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward Church
privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were Chosen, and
others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of
his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in Sin, By
nature children of wrath even as others. If left to themselves
they would have continued in Sin through Life; but for Wise and
holy reasons, not made known to us, he purposed to change
Jacob's Heart, and to leave Esau to his perverseness. This
instance of Esau and Jacob throws Light upon the Divine conduct
to the fallen race of Man. The whole Scripture shows the
difference between the professed Christian and the real
believer. Outward privileges are bestowed On many who are not
the children of God. There is, however, full encouragement to
diligent use of the Means of Grace which God has appointed.

14-24 Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein the holy, happy
people of God differ from others, God's Grace alone makes them
differ. In this preventing, effectual, distinguishing Grace, he
Acts as a benefactor, whose Grace is his own. None have deserved
it; So that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those
who perish, must blame themselves only, Hos 13:9. God is bound
No further than he has been pleased to bind himself By his own
Covenant and promise, which is his revealed will. And this is,
that he will receive, and not cast out, those that come to
Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming, is an
anticipating, distinguishing favour to whom he will. Why does he
yet find fault? This is not an objection to be made By the
Creature against his Creator, By Man against God. The Truth, as
it is in Jesus, abases Man as nothing, as less than nothing, and
advances God as sovereign Lord of all. Who art thou that art So
foolish, So feeble, So unable to Judge the Divine counsels? It
becomes us to submit to him, not to reply against him. Would not
men allow the infinite God the same sovereign right to manage
the affairs of the Creation, as the potter exercises in
disposing of his Clay, when of the same lump he makes one vessel
to a more honourable, and one to a meaner use? God could do No
wrong, however it might appear to men. God will make it appear
that he hates Sin. Also, he formed vessels filled with Mercy.
Sanctification is the preparation of the soul for Glory. This is
God's work. Sinners fit themselves for Hell, but it is God who
prepares saints for Heaven; and all whom God designs for Heaven
hereafter, he fits for Heaven now. Would we know who these
vessels of Mercy are? Those whom God has called; and these not
of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles. Surely there can be No
unrighteousness in any of these Divine dispensations. Nor in
God's exercising long-suffering, patience, and forbearance
towards sinners under increasing guilt, before he brings utter
Destruction upon them. The fault is in the hardened sinner
himself. As to all who Love and fear God, however such truths
appear Beyond their reason to Fathom, yet they should keep
silence before him. It is the Lord alone who made us to differ;
we should Adore his pardoning Mercy and new-creating Grace, and
give diligence to make our Calling and election sure.

25-29 The rejecting of the Jews, and the taking in the
Gentiles, were foretold in the Old Testament. It tends very much
to the clearing of a Truth, to observe how the Scripture is
fulfilled in it. It is a wonder of Divine power and Mercy that
there are any saved: for even those left to be a seed, if God
had dealt with them according to their sins, had perished with
the Rest. This great Truth this Scripture teaches us. Even among
the vast number of professing Christians it is to be feared that
only a remnant will be saved.

30-33 The Gentiles knew not their guilt and misery, therefore
were not careful to procure a remedy. Yet they attained to
Righteousness By Faith. Not By becoming proselytes to the Jewish
religion, and submitting to the ceremonial Law; but By embracing
Christ, and believing in him, and submitting to the Gospel. The
Jews talked much of Justification and Holiness, and seemed very
ambitious to be the favourites of God. They sought, but not in
the right way, not in the humbling way, not in the appointed
way. Not By Faith, not By embracing Christ, depending upon
Christ, and submitting to the Gospel. They expected
Justification By observing the precepts and ceremonies of the
Law of Moses. The unbelieving Jews had a fair offer of
Righteousness, Life, and Salvation, made them upon Gospel terms,
which they did not like, and would not accept. Have we sought to
know how we may be justified before God, seeking that blessing
in the way here pointed out, By Faith in Christ, as the Lord our
Righteousness? Then we shall not be ashamed in that awful Day,
when all refuges of lies shall be swept away, and the Divine
wrath shall overflow every hiding-place but that which God hath
prepared in his own Son.