91 I am telling the truth in Christ , I am not lying , my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit , 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart . 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed , separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren , my kinsmen according to the flesh , 4 who are Israelites , to whom belongs the adoption as sons , and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises , 5 whose are the fathers , and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh , who is over all , God blessed forever . Amen .
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed . For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel ; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants , but: " THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED ." 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God , but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants . 9 For this is the word of promise : " AT THIS TIME I WILL COME , AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON ." 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also , when she had conceived e twins by one man , our father Isaac ; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad , so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand , not because of works but because of Him who calls , 12 it was said to her, " THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER ." 13 Just as it is written , " JACOB I LOVED , BUT ESAU I HATED ."
14 What shall we say then ? There is no injustice with God , is there? May it never be! 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 ." 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs , but on God who has mercy . 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh , " FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH ." 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires , and He hardens whom He desires . 19 You will say to me then , " Why does He still find fault ? For who resists His will ?" 20 On the contrary , who are you, O man , who answers back to God ? The thing molded will not say to the molder , "Why did you make me like this ," will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay , to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another e for common use ? 22 What if God , although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known , endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction ? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy , which He prepared beforehand for glory , 24 even us, whom He also called , not from among Jews only , but also from among Gentiles .
25 As He says also in Hosea , " I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE , 'MY PEOPLE ,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED , 'BELOVED .' " 26 " AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE ,' THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD ." 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel , " THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA , IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED ; 28 FOR THE Lord WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH , THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY ." 29 And just as Isaiah foretold , " UNLESS THE Lord OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY , WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM , AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 9:1-29
Commentary on Romans 9:1-5
(Read Romans 9:1-5)
Being about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, and to show that the whole agrees with the sovereign electing love of God, the apostle expresses strongly his affection for his people. He solemnly appeals to Christ; and his conscience, enlightened and directed by the Holy Spirit, bore witness to his sincerity. He would submit to be treated as "accursed," to be disgraced, crucified; and even for a time be in the deepest horror and distress; if he could rescue his nation from the destruction about to come upon them for their obstinate unbelief. To be insensible to the eternal condition of our fellow-creatures, is contrary both to the love required by the law, and the mercy of the gospel. They had long been professed worshippers of Jehovah. The law, and the national covenant which was grounded thereon, belonged to them. The temple worship was typical of salvation by the Messiah, and the means of communion with God. All the promises concerning Christ and his salvation were given to them. He is not only over all, as Mediator, but he is God blessed for ever.
Commentary on Romans 9:6-13
(Read Romans 9:6-13)
The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children of wrath even as others. If left to themselves they would have continued in sin through life; but for wise and holy reasons, not made known to us, he purposed to change Jacob's heart, and to leave Esau to his perverseness. This instance of Esau and Jacob throws light upon the Divine conduct to the fallen race of man. The whole Scripture shows the difference between the professed Christian and the real believer. Outward privileges are bestowed on many who are not the children of God. There is, however, full encouragement to diligent use of the means of grace which God has appointed.
Commentary on Romans 9:14-24
(Read Romans 9:14-24)
Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein the holy, happy people of God differ from others, God's grace alone makes them differ. In this preventing, effectual, distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor, whose grace is his own. None have deserved it; so that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those who perish, must blame themselves only, Hosea 13:9. God is bound no further than he has been pleased to bind himself by his own covenant and promise, which is his revealed will. And this is, that he will receive, and not cast out, those that come to Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming, is an anticipating, distinguishing favour to whom he will. Why does he yet find fault? This is not an objection to be made by the creature against his Creator, by man against God. The truth, as it is in Jesus, abases man as nothing, as less than nothing, and advances God as sovereign Lord of all. Who art thou that art so foolish, so feeble, so unable to judge the Divine counsels? It becomes us to submit to him, not to reply against him. Would not men allow the infinite God the same sovereign right to manage the affairs of the creation, as the potter exercises in disposing of his clay, when of the same lump he makes one vessel to a more honourable, and one to a meaner use? God could do no wrong, however it might appear to men. God will make it appear that he hates sin. Also, he formed vessels filled with mercy. Sanctification is the preparation of the soul for glory. This is God's work. Sinners fit themselves for hell, but it is God who prepares saints for heaven; and all whom God designs for heaven hereafter, he fits for heaven now. Would we know who these vessels of mercy are? Those whom God has called; and these not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles. Surely there can be no unrighteousness in any of these Divine dispensations. Nor in God's exercising long-suffering, patience, and forbearance towards sinners under increasing guilt, before he brings utter destruction upon them. The fault is in the hardened sinner himself. As to all who love and fear God, however such truths appear beyond their reason to fathom, yet they should keep silence before him. It is the Lord alone who made us to differ; we should adore his pardoning mercy and new-creating grace, and give diligence to make our calling and election sure.
Commentary on Romans 9:25-29
(Read Romans 9:25-29)
The rejecting of the Jews, and the taking in the Gentiles, were foretold in the Old Testament. It tends very much to the clearing of a truth, to observe how the Scripture is fulfilled in it. It is a wonder of Divine power and mercy that there are any saved: for even those left to be a seed, if God had dealt with them according to their sins, had perished with the rest. This great truth this Scripture teaches us. Even among the vast number of professing Christians it is to be feared that only a remnant will be saved.