Romans 9:14-16

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 63 Chapter 9:14 – 16

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 14 “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.” – Because;
1. God chose Jacob over Esau, God chose Isaac over Ishmael, God chose Israel over all the other nations of the world, or Is there unrighteousness with God that He chose you (as a Christian) over the non-elect? “…God forbid.” Or don’t even think such a thing.
2. God owes mankind nothing at all, He is not obligated to save one single soul, therefore if he chose to save one single person, one million persons, or if He chose to save all of mankind He would not be unjust.
3. People thinks that God owes them something and He does; eternity in the lake of fire which would be a just reward to all of mankind.
4. I think and believe for a person to ever thing that God is “unjust” in any fashion is a sin in itself. I believe any thought at all against what He truly is, is a sin. I believe to deny the sovereignty of God is a sin. Even if these thoughts are out of ignorance.
5. Next Paul will give a long explanation of why we should not think such a thing.
2. Verse 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.
1. Who will He have mercy on? “…I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

a. Not because He owes it to us, not because we have earned it, but simply because He CHOSE too.

b. God said; It is my choice and will whom I bestow my grace and mercy, none has earned it, none has chose it for themselves, but I have elected before the foundation of the world to have mercy and grace on a limited number because it is my will to do so.

c. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown had a good pint on this; “it is worthy of notice that this is expressed in the positive rather than the negative form: not, “I will have mercy on none but whom I will”; but, “I will have mercy on whomsoever I will.”

2. The word mercy means – compassion or pity on someone – but it is grace that brings mercy.
3. The Psalmist defines mercy, Psalms 85:1-3 “LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. (2.) Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. (3.) Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.”
4. Mercy never ends. Psalms 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
5. However please understand it is God’s to give and to whom ever He chooses, just as grace, love, salvation, and eternal life. He is not forced by a choice we make or work we perform, it is totally Gods choice and He is not unjust in not giving it to anyone.
2. Verse 16 “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”
1. Please take very close notice here to this statement, “So then it is not of him that willeth…” the word “willeth” here has a two-fold meaning - it is not of him that has determined nor is it of him that choose or prefers too.

a. Just as Isaac, Jacob, and Israel did not choose to be chosen of God neither did any man, it was Gods choice by Grace and Mercy.

b. Psalms 110:3 “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.”

c.

2. “…nor of him that runneth…” That is earned it by effort or works. Mercy like everything else from God is a gift and gifts are not earned.

a. Those that run for mercy or salvation are running in vain, it may be religion but it is not salvation. Paul said I do not run in vain. Philippians 2:16 “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

b. Running is not vain, but running for Gods gift of salvation is vain. Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

3. “…but of God that sheweth mercy.” – What is? Salvation and every other Gift He gives.