This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
This deep love Paul has comes from the power of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of love. This love of Israel cannot come from within man.
4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
The choosing or election of God here has nothing to do with salvation here as some may teach. As we will see, God is telling us when He has a plan He doesn’t pick people based on the good or bad works a person does. He uses Jacob the one that took advantage of his brother Esau in a weak moment for his birthright (Genesis 25:29–34) and then deceives his father to steal the blessing that was rightfully Esau’s (Genesis 27:18–29) to be the bloodline His seed, the Messiah Jesus comes through.
It is vital to see that scripture is speaking of nations in the womb and a people are in comparison here:
“And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23
12It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
If the phrase elder shall serve the younger were referring to Jacab and Esau as individuals we would have a problem as Esau never served Jacob. This is rightly interpreted as God referring to nations here. If we take a look at the originated scrpture we can see in context nations are in view:
“And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23
The prophecy was fulfilled when Israel came to rule over Edom. David put garrisons throughout Edom, and “all they of Edom became David’s servants” (2 Samuel 8:14). So the prophecy naturally fits Jacob/Israel and Esau/Edom as nations.
13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Esau is not some wicked man compared to Jacob
Esau also shows genuine reconciliation after the wrong Jacob does to him. When Jacob returns, Esau runs to meet him, embraces him, kisses him, and weeps with him (Genesis 33:4). If we take a look at both men we have wrongdoings on both sides, in fact Jacob’s life contains substantial wrongdoing and discipline:
Esau
Sells his birthright for a meal (Genesis 25:29–34). Hebrews states this was “profane” (Hebrews 12:16).
His marriages to Hittite women were a “grief of mind” to Isaac and Rebekah.(Genesis 26:34–35)
For a time after losing the blessing, Esau intends to kill Jacob. (Genesis 27:41)
Jacob
Jacob takes advantage of Esau's hunger to obtain his birthright. (Genesis 25:29–34)
Deceives Isaac with Rebekah's help, to obtain the blessing. (Genesis 27:18–29)
Uses a strange breeding strategy to increase his flocks. (Genesis 30:37–43)
14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15For 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.
16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Exod 4:21 — “I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” — by God (future)
Exod 7:13 — “Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen…” — character
Exod 7:22 — “So Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he would not listen…” — character
Exod 8:15 — “When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart…” — self
Exod 8:19 — “But Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen…” — character
Exod 8:32 — “But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also…” — self
Exod 9:7 — “But Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not let the people go.” — character
Exod 9:12 — “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 9:34 — “He sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” — self
Exod 9:35 — “So Pharaoh’s heart was hard…” — character
Exod 10:1 — “For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants…” — by God
Exod 10:20 — “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 10:27 — “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 11:10 — “Yet the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 14:4 — “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them…” — by God
Exod 14:8 — “And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt…” — by God
18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
On whom does God have mercy? Is it a select group of people? No, if we keep reading in context through the book of we see that “he will have mercy” in Romans 11:32 and it is mercy upon all people: “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”
Psalm 145:9 also states “The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” His goodness and mercy is on everything He made which of course is every man.
Does God arbitrarily harden people? We can see with Pharaoh, it was Pharaoh that initially hardened his own heart. God does not harden a man first but will use a hard heart for His purposes.
Paul just told us in Romans 2:4 God tries to reach us with goodness we can reject “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Paul just told us in Romans 2:5 that men are responsible for their hard hearts and they are the ones storing up God’s wrath: “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath”
19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Paul quoting from Isaiah 29:13-16.
21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
At first it appears the potter decides the clays fate but ironically scripture teaches the opposite. The clay actual decides it’s own fate:
Jeremiah 18
2 Timothy 2:20-21
22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
The first thing to notice is the vessels of wrath are not stated to be fitted by “God” or “he” a verse 23 states below the vessels of mercy are. Meaning they fit themselves. Paul tells Timothy the same exact thing:
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” — 2 Timothy 2:20–21
The second thing to note is we must keep Romans in context, Paul first uses the same word “longsuffering” in Romans 2:4:
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Where he states God is trying to reach a people. God wants “vessels of wrath” to repent.
23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Colossians 1:27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
29And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
9
Romans 9 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
This deep love Paul has comes from the power of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of love. This love of Israel cannot come from within man.
4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
The choosing or election of God here has nothing to do with salvation here as some may teach. As we will see, God is telling us when He has a plan He doesn’t pick people based on the good or bad works a person does. He uses Jacob the one that took advantage of his brother Esau in a weak moment for his birthright (Genesis 25:29–34) and then deceives his father to steal the blessing that was rightfully Esau’s (Genesis 27:18–29) to be the bloodline His seed, the Messiah Jesus comes through.
It is vital to see that scripture is speaking of nations in the womb and a people are in comparison here:
“And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23
12It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
If the phrase elder shall serve the younger were referring to Jacab and Esau as individuals we would have a problem as Esau never served Jacob. This is rightly interpreted as God referring to nations here. If we take a look at the originated scrpture we can see in context nations are in view:
“And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23
The prophecy was fulfilled when Israel came to rule over Edom. David put garrisons throughout Edom, and “all they of Edom became David’s servants” (2 Samuel 8:14). So the prophecy naturally fits Jacob/Israel and Esau/Edom as nations.
13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Esau is not some wicked man compared to Jacob
Esau also shows genuine reconciliation after the wrong Jacob does to him. When Jacob returns, Esau runs to meet him, embraces him, kisses him, and weeps with him (Genesis 33:4). If we take a look at both men we have wrongdoings on both sides, in fact Jacob’s life contains substantial wrongdoing and discipline:
Esau
Sells his birthright for a meal (Genesis 25:29–34). Hebrews states this was “profane” (Hebrews 12:16).
His marriages to Hittite women were a “grief of mind” to Isaac and Rebekah.(Genesis 26:34–35)
For a time after losing the blessing, Esau intends to kill Jacob. (Genesis 27:41)
Jacob
Jacob takes advantage of Esau's hunger to obtain his birthright. (Genesis 25:29–34)
Deceives Isaac with Rebekah's help, to obtain the blessing. (Genesis 27:18–29)
Uses a strange breeding strategy to increase his flocks. (Genesis 30:37–43)
14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15For 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.
16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Exod 4:21 — “I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” — by God (future)
Exod 7:13 — “Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen…” — character
Exod 7:22 — “So Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he would not listen…” — character
Exod 8:15 — “When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart…” — self
Exod 8:19 — “But Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen…” — character
Exod 8:32 — “But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also…” — self
Exod 9:7 — “But Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not let the people go.” — character
Exod 9:12 — “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 9:34 — “He sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” — self
Exod 9:35 — “So Pharaoh’s heart was hard…” — character
Exod 10:1 — “For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants…” — by God
Exod 10:20 — “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 10:27 — “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 11:10 — “Yet the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” — by God
Exod 14:4 — “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them…” — by God
Exod 14:8 — “And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt…” — by God
18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
On whom does God have mercy? Is it a select group of people? No, if we keep reading in context through the book of we see that “he will have mercy” in Romans 11:32 and it is mercy upon all people: “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”
Psalm 145:9 also states “The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” His goodness and mercy is on everything He made which of course is every man.
Does God arbitrarily harden people? We can see with Pharaoh, it was Pharaoh that initially hardened his own heart. God does not harden a man first but will use a hard heart for His purposes.
Paul just told us in Romans 2:4 God tries to reach us with goodness we can reject “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Paul just told us in Romans 2:5 that men are responsible for their hard hearts and they are the ones storing up God’s wrath: “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath”
19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Paul quoting from Isaiah 29:13-16.
21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
At first it appears the potter decides the clays fate but ironically scripture teaches the opposite. The clay actual decides it’s own fate:
Jeremiah 18
2 Timothy 2:20-21
22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
The first thing to notice is the vessels of wrath are not stated to be fitted by “God” or “he” a verse 23 states below the vessels of mercy are. Meaning they fit themselves. Paul tells Timothy the same exact thing:
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” — 2 Timothy 2:20–21
The second thing to note is we must keep Romans in context, Paul first uses the same word “longsuffering” in Romans 2:4:
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Where he states God is trying to reach a people. God wants “vessels of wrath” to repent.
23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Colossians 1:27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
29And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.