9th Chapter of Romans
Romans 9:1 (all verses are from the New
International Version)
I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my
conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit—
A PARENTHESIS CONCERNING ISRAEL
The apostle could not deal with
the issue of men and women, whether Jew or Gentile, being given a right
standing before God without addressing the place of Israel in God’s plan. Paul
stated with great emotion his concern for the Jews, his own people. They had a
special place in God’s purposes in the past. They were the recipients of
adoption, glory, covenants, the law, the promises, temple worship, and the
patriarchs. -- Holman Bible Handbook
·
The end of chapter 8
marks the conclusion of the first major section of this epistle.
·
Paul resumes his major
themes in 12:1.
·
It seems that Paul has
reached the very apex of the Christian in his relationship to Jesus Christ.
·
He has discussed the
doctrines of justification, sanctification, and glorification.
·
There is another
problem which troubles the apostle—the so-called “Jewish question.”
·
For the next three
chapters we will deal with the question of Israel's standing before God
Paul has preached a gospel of
righteousness by faith instead of righteousness by law. His gospel has made
possible the salvation of the Gentiles without their becoming Jews. In so
doing, the gospel has nullified the covenant rites of the Jewish race and has
passed them by as the channels of revelation. What then is the future of the
Jews? Does this mean that the Jews have been rejected entirely? Not at all!
Although an apostle to the Gentiles, he himself was a Jew. Therefore, this
Jewish problem presented very serious questions for him. What could be done
about the Jewish problem? Does it mean that all Jews are lost forever? If they are
to be saved, how will they be saved?
In chapters 9 through 11 Paul
attempts to resolve this problem of the Jewish question by dealing with three
areas:
(1) The absolute sovereignty of
God (9:1-29);
(2) the freedom of man
(9:30-10:21); and
(3) the harmonizing of the two
(11:1-36).
Paul knew that he was regarded
as a traitor to the dearest interest of his people (Act_21:27-28; Act_22:22; Act_25:24); therefore,
the apostle opens his discussion of the subject by giving vent to his real
feelings with extraordinary vehemence of protestation. -- New Commentary on
the Whole Bible
PAUL BEARS HIS CONSCIENCE
Paul will disclose how he feels about his countrymen's lack
of faith and dependence on God's promise. He makes an emotional appeal to his
Jewish brothers with the Holy Spirit as his witness. Paul has already tried to
appeal to them from a religious, logical and cultural perspective; and now he
will make an emotional appeal before going again into a cultural (historical)
one towards the middle and end of the chapter. We will see some elements of
chapter 4 repeated in this chapter, dealing with the promise God made to
Abraham.
The fact that Paul could prove he was telling the truth by
the miracles he did was a great testimony to the Jews he was telling the truth:
2Co_12:12 NIV The things that mark an apostle—signs,
wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance.
1Th_1:5 NIV because our gospel came to you not simply
with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.
You know how we lived among you for your sake.
Romans 9:2
I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my
heart.
Whenever Paul thinks of his lost countrymen it brings him
great sorrow. He feels sorrow since they have rejected God and therefore damned
their souls to everlasting perdition! How great his sorrow for them in view of
the mercies of God! This is how we should feel for those whom we know are lost,
especially if they are family members or people we know. Paul felt this way for
his entire race and culture, knowing they were placing their hope on something
hopeless and dooming themselves for all eternity!
This proves Paul was not a premillennialist.
(The following is taken from the Free Online Dictionary)
Modern premillennialism is
divided into two schools of thought.
1.Dispensational Premillennialism - C.I. Scofield popularized dispensational
premillennialism through the Scofield Reference Bible. Dispensational
premillennialism generally holds that Israel and the Church are separate. It also
widely holds to the pre-tribulational return of Christ, which believes that
Jesus will return before a seven year Tribulation followed by an additional
return of Christ with his saints (though there are post tribulation
dispensationalists, such as Robert Gundry). Dispensationalism traces its roots
to the 1830s and John Nelson Darby (1800-1882), a Calvinist theologian and a
founder of the Plymouth Brethren. In the US this form of premillennial doctrine
was propagated on the popular level largely through the Scofield Reference
Bible and on the academic level with Lewis Sperry Chafer’s eight volume
Systematic Theology. More recently dispensationalism has been propagated into
the culture through Hal Lindsey's 1970s bestseller, The Late, Great Planet
Earth and through the Left Behind Series by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins.
Popular proponents of dispensational premillennialism are Dwight Pentecost,
John Walvoord (d. 2002), Tim Lahaye, Charles Ryrie (in the notes for the Ryrie
Study Bible) and Charles Feinberg. It should be noted that Craig Blaising and
Darrell Bock have developed a form of dispensationalism that is in popularity
known as progressive dispensationalism. This view understands that an aspect of
the kingdom presently exists, but must wait for the millennium to be realized
fully.
2.Historic Premillennialism - Historic or Classic Premillennialism is distinctively
non-dispensational. This means that it sees no theological distinction between
Israel and the church. It is often post tribulational meaning that the rapture
of the church will occur after a period of tribulation. Historic
premillennialism maintains chiliasm because of its view that the church will be
caught up to meet Christ in the air and then escort him to the earth in order
to share in his literal thousand year rule. Proponents of the view include
George Eldon Ladd, and the 19th Century Lutheran theologian, G.N.H. Peters.
These schools of thought continue in the same error the
Jews of Paul's day proposed: that there would be a literal political reign of
the Messiah on earth for a thousand years, or some other temporal time before
the end of the earth as we know of it would come. Even to this day this false belief continues
to affect even our foreign policy with Israel and Arab nations. Many believe
that Israel is still God's people even though they do not even hold onto the
Law of God as Jews from Paul's day did. Premillennialists of today believe that
Israel will play a part in the coming of Jesus and His temporal reign of 1000
years on earth. They believe He will literally reign in the Holy City of
Jerusalem.
This chapter proves them wrong and that Paul himself held
no such belief. Paul has been stating that the Jewish system was the one that
was temporal and it held no promise for things to come - the reality is Christ
Himself and all those who are found in Him!
Romans 9:3
For I could wish that I myself were cursed and
cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,
Paul is greatly concerned for his Jewish brothers
Key phrase in this verse that will help us understand
Paul's motive and distress: "I could wish...". Paul does not even dare to wish it - he says I
could wish... for he knows it was not even possible or permissible for him
to want to be cut off for the sake of his Jewish brothers. Of course, maybe
some of you have had this wish yourselves. I know I have; many times.
I have often thought of how it could be that I substitute
myself for the salvation of my family if there was some possible way... Of course, I would never want to give up my
relationship with Jesus, for it is for that very reason I cannot even think or
wish this; but my concern and love for them dares to wish it. This is
why Paul says I could wish... that means he dared not wish it for real
for that would mean to give up his union to Christ.
In a way this is exactly what Jesus (God) did for us. God
did wish for Himself to be accursed for our sake and made it happen! Wow!
Phi_2:5-8 NIV Your
attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but
made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death—even death on a cross!
So for us to have these daring thoughts is not far from our
created image. I know I have wished for even my children to die innocent than
be found dead apart from Christ in their age of accountability. It is a horrible
thought either way, but far better for them to be in Christ forever than to be
alive on this earth apart from Jesus. It certainly distresses me when I think
about these things and I can only imagine the distress Paul felt for his
countrymen. This is certainly an emotional appeal - straight to the heart of
the matter. We ought to disclose such thoughts and be made vulnerable in the
eyes of those whom we care about, that perhaps they may be moved by our extreme
love for them. This is what Paul attempts; he leaves no stone unturned in the
pursuit of the salvation of his comrades.
Understand this is in spite of the many troubles Paul
suffered on account of his beloved brothers! All the persecutions and attempts
made on his life did not dissuade him from loving them deeply and seeking their
salvation! That is true love!
We can see the same attitude in Moses:
Exo_32:30-35 NIV The
next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. But
now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." 31 So Moses
went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have
committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if
not, then blot me out of the book you have written." 33 The LORD
replied to Moses, "Whoever
has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the
people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when
the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin." 35 And
the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf
Aaron had made.
What great humility! Just like Jesus, he did not consider
himself above the people he cared for but willingly and devotedly interceded on
their behalf.
Of course, Paul and Moses understood that even if it were
possible for them to be given up for the sake of their people, the word of God
would still be true and every man a liar (Rom_3:4). One human life, or even the whole human race cannot
atone for even a single sin. That is why we need our Savior Jesus!
Romans 9:4
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as
sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the
temple worship and the promises.
Paul lists the justifications he felt for wanting to
intercede for Israel. These are the things that made him so distressed. Since
he identifies as an Israelite himself, these things struck a deep cultural
chord in his heart as well. The first and foremost justification: They are
Israelites: The name means "prince of God," or "one who
contends with God," the same being the name given to Jacob by an angel of
heaven at Peniel. From Jacob came the twelve sons of Israel (Jacob), hence the
twelve tribes of Israel.
To them belong:
1.
Adoption - Paul will explain the nature of this adoption in the
next few verses and also in chapter 11. Just remember it was originally
intended for the Jew first, then for the gentile (Rom_1:16; Rom_2:10). The promise
of this adoption was made originally to Abraham, the father of faith, a
patriarch of Israel. God made Himself out to be Israel's Father and Husband,
looking out and caring for them specifically (Exo_4:22).
2.
Glory - Since Israel was chosen by God to be exalted because of
their obedience they had a glory no other peoples on earth had. The Jews have
always prided themselves in this. The visible token of the glory of God itself
rested on the ark of the covenant within the tabernacle, and later within the
temple, filling them with His divine presence and peace. The ultimate
redemption of their bodies was a glory God always wished for them and made a
reality in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
3.
Covenants - The covenants were made with the Israelites: their
descendants and patriarchs. The pre-covenants with Noah and Abraham - the first
covenant (The Giving of the Law) with the nation of Israel and the New Covenant
was first disclosed to the Jews (Rom_3:1-2).
4.
Giving of the Law - The Law intended for the nation of Israel, to bind them
with the Lord their God and to be made an example to all nations.
5.
(Temple)Worship
(Service of God) - The right to worship
God in Spirit and in truth was something given first to the Jews (Joh_4:22-24). This
primarily refers to the temple service; regarded by them as the pride and
ornament of their nation. "The entire system of worship and service
pertaining to the temple and the God-ordained sacrifices and rituals. The
promises (next item) primarily refer to the great Abrahamic promises,
successively unfolded, and which had their fulfillment only in Christ. (See Act_26:6-7; Gal_3:16-17; Heb_7:6.)" – New
Commentary on the Whole Bible
6.
Promise - The ultimate promise of fellowship with God forever was
something God initiated with Israel and their descendants and patriarchs. They
found fulfillment when the Holy Spirit
was first poured out amongst the Jews after the Christ suffered and was raised
(Act_2:33; Gal_3:14; Eph_1:13).
7.
Patriarchs - All those famous and venerable patriarchs we know in the
Old Testament account were the precursors of the Jews: Noah, Job, Abraham,
Joseph, etc. These did not know of the Law but loved God and desired to be
bound to Him.
8.
From their race is
the Christ - Jesus Himself, the Messiah,
from the flesh came from Israel and is a descendant of the sons of Israel,
particularly the house of David, the tribe of Benjamin. What an honor and what
prestige to be identified as the race God chose to be born in! This was a
particularly emotive chord for Paul, who himself was a descendant of the tribe
of Benjamin (Rom_11:1; Phi_3:5).
We can consider these 9 blessings unique to the Israelites.
It is true that the old economy
was a state of tutelage and bondage (Gal_4:1-3); yet, compared with the state of the surrounding heathen,
Abraham and his seed were very special and privileged as members of God’s
family. God had adopted them as his own and fathered them (Exo_4:22; Deu_32:6; Isa_1:2; Jer_31:9; Hos_11:1; Mal_1:6). -- New
Commentary on the Whole Bible
By opening up the discussion with the reminder of the
blessings possessed by all true Israelites Paul tries to soften the blow he
will deliver towards the end of this chapter - that Israel has stumbled and
thus God has rejected them because they have rejected Jesus, the promised
deliverer (Messiah)!
Romans 9:5
Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is
traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!
Amen.
An interesting side note from Coffman concerning the
prestige of the patriarchs of the Israelites:
No people ever had more
distinguished ancestors than the Jewish patriarchs. Such men as Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob were so noble, and so excessively beyond other men in character and
integrity, that God himself deigned to identify himself as "the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exo_4:5). Abraham,
especially, stands upon the horizon of pre-Christian history like a great
monolith casting its shadow over centuries and millenniums of history. Three
great religions, like streams coursing down from some mighty mountain and
finding their issuance in various oceans, descend from Abraham; Muslims, Jews
and Christians all alike hailing Abraham as their father. Paul truly
appreciated the heritage that was his and Israel's in such distinguished
progenitors of their magnificent race. -- Coffman
Christ Himself, here touted by Paul as God over all,
as well as in these other verses (Phi_2:8; Col_2:9; Tit_2:13), was chosen to be born into such a race of people. The
honor is too much for Paul not to use these facts as persuasive speech in his a
fortiori arguments.
Needless to say, this is yet another verse where the deity
of Christ is affirmed. Notice how Paul includes the "Amen" (Let it be
so) to emphasize this necessary doctrine of faith (Joh_8:24). Without
believing this is so we are lost and hopeless; the truth of Christ being God
incarnate and interceding on our behalf that we may live with Him forever is
the Gospel Paul preached everywhere (1Co_4:17).
Romans 9:6
It is not as though God's word had failed. For
not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
God is faithful - He has not failed
Paul wants it clearly known that it is not God's fault that
the Israelites failed to recognize the Messiah in Jesus Christ. It was not
God's words and prophecies that failed. What happens is that not all who profess
to be Israelites belong to Israel, just as not everyone who professes to be a
Christian belongs to Jesus (Mat_7:21; Luk_6:46).
Paul is trying to say their claim of descendance does not
derive from the mere fact of being born an Israelite, any more than a person
who is born in this country can claim is truly an American. Being an Israelite
was a question of duty and honor to the God of the Israelites; it was a
question of faith more than law, which is what the Jews held onto. The Jews
made everything about law, which is why their genealogies were considered to be
so important. Without a record of genealogy no one's descendance could be
established as genuine, particularly for the Levites who were charged with the
temple duties.
But now through Paul, the Spirit makes it clear that true
faith is more than duty and honor to your ethnic origin or religious culture -
it is obedience to the word of God by faith - particularly faith in God's Son,
Jesus Christ. Paul had already mentioned this in chapter 2:
Rom_2:28-29 NIV A man
is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward
and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is
circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's
praise is not from men, but from God.
Romans 9:7
Nor because they are his descendants are they all
Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your
offspring will be reckoned."
Many peoples claim to be descendants of Abraham being that
he did have hundreds of children (Gen_16:4-11; Gen_25:1-2); yet as we will see in Paul's logical progression of this
argument, only Isaac was made the child of the promise. So Ishmael, though a
descendant of Abraham, was not chosen by God as a child whose descendants would
fulfill the promise God made to Abraham. Only those descending from Isaac would
be named heirs of the promise. This was established by God's sovereignty, not by heredity or blood
lineage.
Paul is slowly progressing to making the controversial
point he wants to ultimately make: that Israel, because their rejection of
Jesus, has been rejected by God.
In Galatians Paul used the analogy of the different
covenants represented by Hagar and Sarah to explain that the descendants of
Isaac were children of the promise to be fulfilled under the New Covenant:
Gal_4:22-31 NIV For it
is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by
the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman
was born as the result of a promise.
24 These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two
covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be
slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and
corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is
written:
"Be glad, O
barren woman,
who bears no
children;
break forth and
cry aloud,
you who have no
labor pains;
because more are
the children of the desolate woman
than of her who
has a husband."
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac,
are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born in the ordinary
way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30
But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son,
for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free
woman's son." 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave
woman, but of the free woman.
Paul makes another attempt to soften the hard blow he is
working to deliver using this analogy.
Romans 9:8
In other words, it is not the natural children
who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded
as Abraham's offspring.
THE TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD
Now the premise of the true identity and descendance of
God's children is affirmed, one that he began to established back in Rom_2:28-29. It is not
a fleshly descendance or inheritance we are looking for, says Paul, but a
spiritual one - one that came by a promise!
Joh_1:12-13 NIV Yet to
all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right
to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of
human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
This right came to all the families of the earth through
the promise made to Abraham:
Gen_12:3 NIV I will
bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be
blessed through you.
Gal_4:28 NIV Now you,
brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
God is spirit (Joh_4:24), therefore His true children will be spiritual, born of
the water and the Spirit (Joh_3:5), worshipping in Spirit and in truth! God never intended
for His promise to be fulfilled according to worldly or carnal ways, since God
is Spirit! The Jews were proud of their physical inheritance, but that was a
limited enterprise. God's promise was to be fulfilled through the Spirit and in
the Spirit - in Jesus Christ!
Gal_3:29 NIV If you
belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the
promise.
The material and fleshly inheritance of the Jews has
already faded, never to return, but the inheritance we will receive in Jesus
far exceeds anything in the world and will never perish, spoil or fade (1Pe_1:4)!
Php_3:3 NIV For it is
we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus,
and who put no confidence in the flesh
Even the birth of Isaac himself was by spiritual
intervention, since both Sarah and Abraham were very old and Sarah was never
able to get pregnant. And even though Ishmael was a fleshly son of Abraham,
God's decision was to promise blessings to those who would come through Isaac -
that is us, the Christians of today born out of obedience to the word of God.
So, is physical Israel considered God's children, as so
many in the denominational word believe? Absolutely not! The children of God are
those who are in Christ!
Gal_3:27-29 NIV ...for
all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for
you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and
heirs according to the promise.
Romans 9:9
For this was how the promise was stated: "At
the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
Paul quotes from Gen_18:10. Isaac here is the antitype of Jesus. Just as God chose
Isaac to fulfill the promise made to Abraham, God chose His Son Jesus to make
true on that promise. Isaac, like Jesus, was a birth not from human decision or
will, but by the Spirit of God.
Romans 9:10
Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and
the same father, our father Isaac.
Another example of divine will and selection is the
favoring of Jacob over Esau.
Paul's point is that if God chooses whom He chooses, who
are we to limit or ascribe blessings, when it is God, in His great mercy, who
desires to choose those who are obedient to Him? We will see this thought
develop in the next few verses.
As sovereign Lord, Creator of
all things, He has the perfect right to plan and work in His world according to
His own purposes. His purpose could be one of total destruction. Instead, He
chose in love to work out a way to save those who believe. -- Disciple's
Study Bible
Romans 9:11
Yet, before the twins were born or had done
anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand:
Notice the reference to when they were in utero, fetuses, described as people and already identified and
chosen by God. Where does this fit in with the abortionist's idea that people
are not human beings before they are born, or that they are without identity or
purpose?
Some Calvinists will say that God chooses people before
they are born to be condemned or to be saved. People have no choice about what
their life will be - God has already predestined them for something despite
their individual volition. But where does this leave passages like Joh_3:16 or 2Pe_3:9 (and many
others), which tell us God wants all people to be saved and that choice is
ours?
Notice the reasoning given by the Spirit to explain this
predetermination:
So that God's purpose of election might continue: that it may not be determined by the work of man but by
God, in keeping with the promise He made Abraham and in keeping with His
sovereign will, not man's will.
1.
There's a difference
between, predetermining a man's life (individual election - what is also
known as the Calvinist's predestination) and predetermining a fulfilled promise
or vehicle of fulfillment (salvation) for individuals. Since God knew how these
two, Esau and Jacob, would live; He knew which one would be best suited for the
purpose of His promise. God did not pick them based on their birth order not
works, but because He wanted to fulfill a promise to all obedient peoples on
earth.
2.
There's also a
difference between God imposing on man's will (predestination) and God knowing
the future (foreknowledge). See Rom_8:29-30 notes on this. God
did not work against someone's will: He knows the end result.
The Holy Spirit wants the Jews to understand that man has
never dictated nor is able to change God's plan and promise. The Jews cannot
decide who is saved and who is not: that is God's sovereign choice as judge and
Creator. God has always been in the details, planning and willing amongst men (Act_17:26-28). This
doesn't mean God decides who is saved or who is lost, He just simply knows the
end result since He is outside of time.
It should be remembered that
Paul's entire argument here is to the effect that other factors besides fleshly
descent had always been involved in determining the seed of Abraham. God's
election was a factor in it; but that factor entered into the determination as
a consequence of other factors. Esau was rejected because of what God knew he
would become and of what Esau's character would produce in the lives of his
posterity. -- Coffman
Romans 9:12
not by works but by him who calls--she was told,
"The older will serve the younger."
Reference to Gen_25:23. Based on God's foreknowledge. We can understand from what
God told Rebekah that these words were in reference to two nations that were
going to come out of her sons. So these predictions were not about individuals
per se, but about the nations that would come out from them.
Romans 9:13
Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but
Esau I hated."
Reference to Mal_1:2-3. This was said by God long after Jacob and Esau lived, in
reference to the nations that came from them. The Edomites, descendants of
Esau, were a nation that did not honor God. The word translated as hate
is the same word Jesus uses in Luk_14:26 : miseo (Gk). It simply means "to love
less" by comparison.
God’s favor and blessing upon
Jacob was so extensive that by comparison Esau would appear to be hated. The
verse could be understood to mean that God has chosen Jacob to fulfill His
elective purpose, but He has rejected Esau. -- Believer's Study Bible
Romans 9:14
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at
all!
Even if God did predestine people and imposed on their
wills would that constitute injustice? This is what some thought God was doing;
and even the Calvinists say God is doing that very thing. But the Holy Spirit
will teach us something in these next few verses about the justice, or should I
say, mercy, of God's will. Recall since Rom_1:17 that Paul has always made it a point to illustrate the
righteousness of God in all He does, especially in dealing with man's problem
and resolution.
The question in the Jew's mind that Paul is trying to
pre-empt is: If God intervened so much in our lives, judging us even before we
are born, is it really righteousness? Again, this question presumes God is
imposing and predetermining on the individual's will.
The answer, of course, is "by no means!" If
anything this shows the righteousness of God in the amount of mercy He is
willing to extend unto those who are disobedient - putting into effect a plan
that is very hard not to notice: the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Romans 9:15
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on
whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
GOD'S MERCY IS SOVEREIGN
Paul quotes from Exo_33:19. This indicates the sovereign will of God on all peoples.
The emphasis here being on mercy and compassion! God saves whomever He
decides to save!
(God's statement to Moses is
given) not as a proof of stern and inexorable justice, but as “the very proof
of his benevolence,” and the highest which he thought proper to exhibit. When
people, therefore, under the influence of an unrenewed and hostile heart,
charge this as an unjust and arbitrary proceeding, they are resisting and
perverting what God regards as the very demonstration of his benevolence. The
sense of the passage clearly is, that he would choose the objects of his favor,
and bestow his mercies as he chose. None of the human race deserved his favor;
and he had a right to pardon whom he pleased, and to save people on his own
terms, and according to his sovereign will and pleasure. -- Albert Barnes
The whole theme for the next few chapters is the sovereign
mercy and compassion of God on all peoples, especially to the Jews and then to
the Gentile. Paul will not only be addressing the Jews on this, but in Chapter
11 especially the Gentile Christians of Rome are also part of his audience.
God's declaration of mercy and compassion testifies:
·
That He is sovereign,
without giving an account of the reason of His choice to any.
·
That He is merciful
without regard to any claim on the part of man; man being destitute of merit,
and having no right to His mercy.
·
That He will be
compassionate to any extent which He pleases, and in whatever time and manner
may best accord with His own good pleasure.
·
That He has regard for
a definite peoples and that on those he intends to bestow eternal life.
·
That no one has a
right to complain.
This does not mean that God blindly blessed and curses
without any sense of reasoning or arbitrarily:
This quotation from Exodus
simply does not speak of a totally blind man separating a box of black and
white marbles in a cellar at midnight without any light! -- Coffman
Some prominent theologians assert that it does. They go on
to say God that there is no human justification or reason that can be
attributed to God's election and predetermination of man. Such egregious claims
cannot be justified from Scripture. Quite to the contrary, God, who does not
need to explain Himself to us, always gives us His reasoning - treating us as
children who are loved and who need to be taught their Father's will; which is
very predictable, just and perfectly rational to those who choose to deny
themselves and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Notice God's explanation for electing Abraham:
Gen_18:19 NIV For I
have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after
him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the
LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.
Just as we have argued that God rejected Ishmael and Esau
because of His foreknowledge, God elected Abraham and his descendants because
He knew he could rely on their dependence and faithfulness of Him.
This is why we have no right to complain about God's
election or doings amongst men. He is blameless and continually chooses to
bless a rebellious people. If anything, we as inadequate and sinful people have
earned only two rights:
The right to disobey and the right to die (be condemned),
which really are one right in light of the free will God has extended man.
Rom_6:23 NIV For the
wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
Another right bestowed to man in this recent age is this:
Joh_1:12 ESV But to
all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God...
Rev_3:21 NIV To him
who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I
overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
This right is granted by Jesus Christ to all who receive
Him and who believe in His name.
Romans 9:16
It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or
effort, but on God's mercy.
Here is the theme of the rest of this chapter and through
the next two: God is sovereign! This means man is not to dictate
how and when one is saved: God has decided that and answers to no one.
The Jews had thought God owed them salvation because of the
long history and association they had with Him. They regarded themselves as
holy and were full of self-righteousness, as we see from their dealings with
Jesus Himself.
1.
The Jews were willing and running for the position that God would
bless and save people only through them, but God was not granting that role to
one just because they were willing to run for that role.
2.
God, and God only, would choose the means and ways of salvation.
3.
Once God made His choice, then it made no difference who did or did
not like it.
4.
This is true with the plan of salvation.
5.
God did not ask any of us what the plan needed to be.
-- World Video Bible School
Many men may think their election depends on merit:
their efforts. Some think it is about having God's favor despite our
faithfulness. What Paul is
specifying here by the Holy Spirit is that the human will and effort does not
factor in God's election when it comes to salvation. We cannot will ourselves saved nor
work to gain salvation as many think. It is because of our will that we need
the mercy of God (Rom_3:23)! And no matter how
good your intentions may be you cannot will anyone else to be saved either, no
matter how much you may plead on their behalf or work on their behalf. If they
have chosen to ignore God's plan, that is their choice!
God has set a specific plan according to His mercy and that
plan is what has been elected as the vehicle of salvation by obedience of God's
word, which is by faith in Him. Anyone else who places their faith in man's
ideas or words, apart from the Gospel, is doomed by their own will apart from
obedience.
A.
Catholics rely on a
mixture of merit-based salvation and a view that God plays favorites or saves
based on pity:
1.
Apart from their
sacraments you cannot be saved
2.
It's about how many
good deeds you do regardless of the bad ones
3.
They rely on
"saints", candles and "virgins"
4.
They rely on prayers,
crucifixes and rosaries apart from the Bible.
B.
Protestants (basically
non-Catholics) rely on grace without works. They've completely taken themselves
out of the equation all together and some extremists (Calvinists usually) will
say that no matter what you do God has already declared who is saved and who is
not.
1.
You cannot loose or
gain your salvation
2.
You can be saved
without need of repentance - you are saved by grace (faith only)
3.
You don't need to be
obedient to be saved - all you need to do is believe (forget about the biblical
synecdoche of belief!)
4.
Salvation is
subjective and exclusionary (supports the false and dangerous ideology of
multiculturalism which fragments society even more).
5.
Basically Protestantism
is a reaction to merit based catholic doctrine
C.
Mormons, JW's, 7th Day
Adventist and other cultish religions rely on their own interpretation of God's
word to form exclusionary groups. This is contrary to the inclusionary nature
of the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus' goal is to form one body out of the many. These
cults want to exclude the many to form their own clicks. Strict adherence to
their own extra biblical views is mandated or you are outside the group. They
are to conform to whoever is the main leader of the movement, as opposed to
conforming to Jesus Christ.
I exclude modern day ecumenism since it basically assumes
many of the "non-threatening" and exclusionary ideologies of Protestantism.
Our society is moving towards a more liberal and subjective view of the
scriptures (which the scriptures don't support by any measure) in reaction to
the former centuries of dogmatic and conservative thought.
God's mercy trumps all of these: The Gospel rules! Repent
and obey God!
Just because God's
plan does not depend on our will or effort deosn't mean our will and effort are
needed for us to become saved once Gods has established His plan!
A.
The word “will” in
this verse does not have reference to man’s response to God’s requirements of
salvation.
1.
Rev_22:17 NIV The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And
let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take
the free gift of the water of life.
2.
Mat_23:37 NIV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and
stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children
together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
B.
The word “effort or
exertion” in this verse does not have reference to man’s response to God’s
requirements of salvation.
1.
Not only must we run,
we must finish the course!
2.
1Co_9:24 NIV Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,
but only one gets the prize? Run
in such a way as to get the prize.
3.
Heb_12:1 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw
off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and
let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us.
--
World Video Bible School
Our will and effort is required for obedience that
leads to salvation!
Php_2:12-13 NIV
Therefore, my dear friends, as
you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my
absence—continue to work
out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who
works in you to will and to
act according to his good purpose.
Our will and effort did not bring about God's plan for
salvation but are required to be saved and to conform unto Jesus!
Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised
you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my
name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
By God's foreknowledge He chose Pharaoh to show the power
of His name (Exo_9:16).
Much debate has been generated by the lack of understanding
of the difference between God's foreknowledge and God's election of peoples.
Remember:
1.
There's a difference
between, predetermining a man's life (individual election - what
is also known as the Calvinist's predestination) and predetermining a fulfilled
promise or vehicle of fulfillment (salvation) for individuals. Since God knew
how these two, Esau and Jacob, would live; He knew which one would be best
suited for the purpose of His promise. God did not pick them based on their
birth order not works, but because He wanted to fulfill a promise to all obedient
peoples on earth.
2.
There's also a
difference between God imposing on man's will (predestination) and God knowing
the future (foreknowledge). See Rom_8:29-30 notes on this. God did not work against someone's will: He
knows the end result.
Many have decried God's actions against Pharaoh as unjust
or unfair, or have misunderstood this verse to a point where they say God has
already elected individuals regardless of their will, so there's nothing you
can do to ensure your own salvation. But what does this verse below say?:
2Pe_1:10-11 NIV
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do
these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into
the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
How can you make your calling and election sure if it has
already been predetermined? You can't! But if God has predetermined a way for
you to get to Heaven then you can make sure you’re in that vehicle that will
get you there: Jesus Christ!
So what principle is at work in the hardening of Pharaoh's
heart? Did God harden it or did Pharaoh himself harden his own heart? Let's
see:
Exo_4:21 NIV The LORD
said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before
Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so
that he will not let the people go.
Here God says He will harden his heart. Does that mean
Pharaoh had no choice? Let's let the Bible tell us before we second guess God:
Exo_8:15 NIV But when
Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as
the LORD had said.
Here we see that it was Pharaoh himself who hardened his own heart! So why did God say He would do it in the previ