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Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 9:25-29

Having explained the promise, and proved the divine sovereignty, the apostle here shows how the rejection of the Jews, and the taking in of the Gentiles, were foretold in the Old Testament, and therefore must needs be very well consistent with the promise made to the fathers under the Old Testament. It tends very much to the clearing of a truth to observe how the scripture is fulfilled in it. The Jews would, no doubt, willingly refer it to the Old Testament, the scriptures of which were... 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 9:20

Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God ?.... Or "answerest again to God": some have been so weak and wicked as to suggest, that the apostle met with an objection he could not answer, or give a fair solution of, and therefore takes the method he does: but when the several things returned in answer by the apostle are considered, it will appear that he has taken the wisest method to silence such an audacious objector, and that he abundantly clears God from the charge of cruelty... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:24

Even us whom he hath called ,.... From election the apostle proceeds to calling, the fruit and evidence of it, taking the same method he did in Romans 8:30 , with a view to treat of the call of the Gentiles, of which he afterwards gives proof from prophecy; whence it appears to be according to divine predestination, upon which prophecy is founded; for God foretells that such a thing will be, because he has foreordained it shall be. These words are explanative of the former, and show who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:25

As he also saith in Osee ,.... Hosea 2:23 , so "Hosea" is called "Osee", as here, in the Septuagint in Nehemiah 10:23 . That is, as God says in the prophecy of Hosea, which was given by divine inspiration; and speaks of the calling of the Gentiles, as the spiritual Israel, after God had wrote a "lo-ammi", Hosea 1:9 , and a "loruhamah", Hosea 1:6 , upon the people of the Jews; and shows, that he had appointed some from among the Gentiles, to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ; since he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:26

And it shall come to pass that in the place ,.... This is another citation out of Hosea, and is to be seen in Hosea 1:10 , and the meaning is, that in those countries, as here in Great Britain, in the very selfsame place, or spot of ground, where it was said unto them, ye are not my people ; where were nothing but idolatry and idolatrous worshippers, and whose worship, works, and actions, declared them not to be the people of God: there shall they be called the children of the... read more

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