Romans 9:21-23 KJV

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 9:19-29

9:19-29 But, then, you may ask, "If this is so how can God go on blaming men if they do not take his way? Who can withstand God's purpose?" Fellow! Who are you to be arguing with God? Surely the thing that is molded into shape cannot say to the man who molds it, "Why did you make me like this?" Has not the potter complete authority over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for an honourable use and another for a menial service? What if God, although it was his will to demonstrate... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:21

Hath not the potter power over the clay ,.... By the power the potter has over the clay, to shape it in what form he pleases, and out of it to make what vessels he pleases, and for what purposes he thinks fit, which will be most to his own advantage, the apostle expresses the sovereign and unlimited powder which God has over his creatures; the passages referred to, are Isaiah 64:8 , in which God is represented as the potter, and men as clay in his hands; now if the potter has such power... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:22

What if God, willing to show his wrath ,.... The apostle proceeds to clear God from any charge of cruelty and unmercifulness, by observing his conduct in time, both towards those he passes by, and towards those he chooses; for in this and the following verse, nothing is said relating to any act of God before time, everything of that kind being considered already. In this verse, the apostle considers the conduct of God towards the vessels of dishonour; and let it be observed, that these are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:23

And that he might make known the riches of his glory ,.... That is, his glorious riches, the perfections of his nature, his love, grace, and mercy, his wisdom, power, faithfulness, justice, and holiness; all which are most evidently displayed in the salvation of his people, here called vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared unto glory . They are said to be vessels, and so considered as creatures, made and brought into being; "vessels of mercy", and so fallen creatures, and by sin... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:21

Hath not the potter power over the clay - The apostle continues his answer to the Jew. Hath not God shown, by the parable of the potter, Jeremiah 18:1 , etc., that he may justly dispose of nations, and of the Jews in particular, according as he in his infinite wisdom may judge most right and fitting; even as the potter has a right, out of the same lump of clay, to make one vessel to a more honorable and another to a less honorable use, as his own judgment and skill may direct; for no... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:22

What if God, willing to show his wrath - The apostle refers here to the case of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and to which he applies Jeremiah's parable of the potter, and, from them, to the then state of the Jews. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were vessels of wrath - persons deeply guilty before God; and by their obstinate refusal of his grace, and abuse of his goodness, they had fitted themselves for that destruction which the wrath, the vindictive justice of God, inflicted, after he had endured... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:23

And that he might make known - God endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath: To show his wrath, and to make his power known. And also, That he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy. Which he had afore prepared unto glory - The Jews were fitted for destruction long before; but the fittest time to destroy them was after he had prepared the believing Gentiles unto glory. For the rod of the Messiah's strength was to be sent out of Zion, Psalm... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:21

Verse 21 21.Has not the worker of the clay? etc. The reason why what is formed ought not to contend with its former, is, that the former does nothing but what he has a right to do. By the word power, he means not that the maker has strength to do according to his will, but that this privilege rightly and justly belongs to him. For he intends not to claim for God any arbitrary power but what ought to be justly ascribed to him. And further, bear this in mind, — that as the potter takes away... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:22

Verse 22 22.And what, etc. A second answer, by which he briefly shows, that though the counsel of God is in fact incomprehensible, yet his unblamable justice shines forth no less in the perdition of the reprobate than in the salvation of the elect. He does not indeed give a reason for divine election, so as to assign a cause why this man is chosen and that man rejected; for it was not meet that the things contained in the secret counsel of God should be subjected to the judgment of men; and,... read more

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 9:19-29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:22

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