Romans 9:16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 9:14-24

The apostle, having asserted the true meaning of the promise, comes here to maintain and prove the absolute sovereignty of God, in disposing of the children of men, with reference to their eternal state. And herein God is to be considered, not as a rector and governor, distributing rewards and punishments according to his revealed laws and covenants, but as an owner and benefactor, giving to the children of men such grace and favour as he has determined in and by his secret and eternal will... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 9:14-18

9:14-18 What shall we then say? Are you going to say that there is injustice with God? God forbid! For, he says to Moses: "I will have mercy on whomsoever I will have mercy and I will have pity on whomsoever I will have pity." So then the whole matter depends not on man's will and not on man's effort, but entirely on the mercy of God. For scripture says to Pharaoh: "For this one thing I assigned you a part in the drama of history--that I might demonstrate my power by what happens to you, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:16

So then it is not of him that willeth ,.... This is not a consequence drawn by an adversary, showing that if this be the case, it signifies nothing for men to will or do, they may even sit still and do nothing, but depend on the mercy of God; but this is a conclusion of the apostle's from the above cited testimony, inferring from thence, that election, which is what he is discoursing of, is "not of him that willeth", nor of him that runneth : that is, is not owing to the will or works of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:16

So then it is not of him that willeth, etc. - I conclude, therefore, from these several instances, that the making or continuing any body of men the peculiar people of God, is righteously determined; not by the judgment, hopes, or wishes of men, but by the will and wisdom of God alone. For Abraham judged that the blessing ought, and he willed, desired, that it might be given to Ishmael; and Isaac also willed, designed, it for his first-born, Esau: and Esau, wishing and hoping that it might... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:16

Verse 16 16.It is not then of him who wills, etc. From the testimony adduced he draws this inference, that beyond all controversy our election is not to be ascribed to our diligence, nor to our striving, nor to our efforts, but that it is wholly to be referred to the counsel of God. That none of you may think that they who are elected are elected because they are deserving, or because they had in any way procured for themselves the favor of God, or, in short, because they had in them a particle... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-18

The children of the promise. We have seen St. Paul as a Christian patriot ready to sacrifice his everlasting fellowship with Christ if it could ensure the salvation of his fellow-countrymen. But, alas! the fact of the rejection of Jesus and his gospel by many of the Jews must be accepted. And when the apostle turns to history, he finds that there has been no wholesale salvation of either the descendants of Abraham or of Israel, but a certain proportion only became children of promise. How... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:13-24

God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. Here is one of the most difficult problems touched on in the whole of this Epistle, and one of the most difficult problems in the whole range of human thought. It cannot be said that the apostle fully explains it. He does indeed suggest arguments which are sufficient to meet some of its difficulties. But how to reconcile human responsibility with Divine sovereignty remains a problem as difficult as that of reconciling the existence of evil with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:14-16

What shall we say then? Unrighteousness with God? ("Is there" supplied in the Authorized Version somewhat weakens the force of the expression.) God forbid! For to Moses he saith, 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 showeth mercy. The argument (thus introduced by γὰρ ) requires two understood premisses—that God cannot possibly be unrighteous,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:14-18

Moses and Pharaoh. But was not this free election of God an unrighteous thing? Nay, verily. For, if they would think of it, the very antithesis of character which stood out so boldly at the threshold of their natural history, and in its results had made them what they were, was a conspicuous example, even according to God's own showing, of this electing liberty. Moses, the man after God's own heart, was chosen by God freely for the salvation of Israel from Egypt, and the consequent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:14-24

( b ) In the next section injustice on the part of God, in thus electing the objects of his mercy according to the good pleasure of his will, is repudiated. As in Romans 6:1 and Romans 7:7 , a false inference from what has been said is introduced by τί οὗν ἐροῦμεν , and indignantly rejected by μὴ γένοιτο , followed by reasons against the inference. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 9:14-24

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 9:14-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:13-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:14-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:14-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:14-24

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