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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 9:19 One of you will say to me, "Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/9-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/45_Rom_09_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 9:19 - The Calling of the Gentiles" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="One of you will say to me, Then why does God still find fault? 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For who is able to resist his will?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then you will say to me, "Why then does He still find fault? For who is resisting His purpose?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You will say to me then, &#8220Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why does He still blame me [for sinning]? For who [including myself] has [ever] resisted His will <i>and</i> purpose?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You will say to me, therefore, “Why then does he still find fault? For who resists his will? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You will say to me, therefore, &#8220Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Someone may ask, "How can God blame us, if he makes us behave in the way he wants us to?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You may ask me, "Why does God still find fault with anyone? Who can resist whatever God wants to do?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But one of you will say to me, "If this is so, how can God find fault with anyone? Who can resist God's will?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You may ask me, "Then why does God still find fault with anybody? For who can resist his will?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou wilt say then to me, Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Why then does God still find fault?" you will ask; "for who is resisting His will?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You will say, then, to me, “Why does He yet find fault? For who has resisted His counsel?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then you will say to me, "Why then does He still find fault? For who is resisting His purpose?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou wilt say, then, to me, 'Why yet doth He find fault? for His counsel who hath resisted?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou wilt then say to me, Why does he yet blame For who has withstood his will?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou wilt say therefore to me: Why doth he then find fault? for who resisteth his will? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so, you would say to me: “Then why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why [then] does he still find fault? For who can oppose his will?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You will say to me then, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Perhaps you will say, Why then does he yet find fault? For who can resist his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Doubtless you will say, “Why does he find fault, for who stands against his will?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />You will then say to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then thou wilt say to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Wilt thou then say to me, Why yet doth he blame us? Who hath resisted his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />But you will object, why does he then find fault? for "who can resist his will?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Why then does God still find fault?" you will ask; "for who is resisting His will?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />You will say to me, then, "Why doth He still find fault? for who has withstood His will?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Thou wilt say then, Why doth he yet blame <i>us?</i> who hath resisted his will?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/9-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=2331" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">The Calling of the Gentiles</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18</span>Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: Ereis (V-FIA-2S) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">One of you will say</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">to me,</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">“Then</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">why</a> <a href="/greek/2089.htm" title="2089: eti (Adv) -- (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; yet, still."></a> <a href="/greek/3201.htm" title="3201: memphetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To blame, censure, find fault. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to blame.">does God still find fault?</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">who</a> <a href="/greek/436.htm" title="436: anthestēken (V-RIA-3S) -- To set against; I withstand, resist, oppose. From anti and histemi; to stand against, i.e. Oppose.">can resist</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1013.htm" title="1013: boulēmati (N-DNS) -- Will, counsel, purpose. From boulomai; a resolve.">will?”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">20</span>But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a></span><br />You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/9-12.htm">Job 9:12</a></span><br />If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a></span><br />Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a></span><br />“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a></span><br />There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Isaiah 10:15</a></span><br />Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2</a></span><br />“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/42-2.htm">Job 42:2</a></span><br />“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Matthew 20:15</a></span><br />Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-22.htm">1 Corinthians 10:22</a></span><br />Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Ephesians 1:11</a></span><br />In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a></span><br />A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You will say then to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will?</p><p class="hdg">Thou.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-8.htm">Romans 3:8</a></b></br> And not <i>rather</i>, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/15-12.htm">1 Corinthians 15:12,35</a></b></br> Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13</a></b></br> Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:</p><p class="hdg">Why doth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5-7</a></b></br> But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? <i>Is</i> God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a></b></br> But as for you, ye thought evil against me; <i>but</i> God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as <i>it is</i> this day, to save much people alive.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/20-6.htm">2 Chronicles 20:6</a></b></br> And said, O LORD God of our fathers, <i>art</i> not thou God in heaven? and rulest <i>not</i> thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand <i>is there not</i> power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/8-39.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/12-7.htm">Blame</a> <a href="/acts/27-42.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/acts/11-2.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Find</a> <a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Resist</a> <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Resisted</a> <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Resisting</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">Resists</a> <a href="/acts/20-26.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/john/8-33.htm">Will</a> <a href="/acts/25-9.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Withstands</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/11-23.htm">Able</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-3.htm">Blame</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-17.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/romans/14-3.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/romans/11-30.htm">Find</a> <a href="/romans/11-36.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Resist</a> <a href="/galatians/2-11.htm">Resisted</a> <a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Resisting</a> <a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Resists</a> <a href="/romans/14-4.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-11.htm">Will</a> <a href="/romans/11-19.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/romans/13-2.htm">Withstands</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Paul is sorry for the Jews.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">All of Abraham not of the promise.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-18.htm">God's sovereignty.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-25.htm">The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-32.htm">The cause of their stumbling.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/romans/9.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>One of you will say to me</b><br />This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, a common technique used by Paul to engage his audience. The Greek word for "say" here is "ἐρεῖ" (erei), which implies a future tense, suggesting an anticipated objection. Paul often uses this method to address potential arguments from his readers, demonstrating his deep understanding of human nature and the common questions that arise when discussing divine sovereignty.<p><b>Then why does God still find fault?</b><br />The word "fault" in Greek is "μέμφεται" (memphomai), which means to blame or find fault. This question reflects a deep theological inquiry into the justice of God. If God is sovereign and His will is irresistible, how can humans be held accountable for their actions? This question has been a central issue in Christian theology, touching on the doctrines of free will and predestination. Historically, this has been a point of contention and discussion among theologians, emphasizing the mystery of God's justice and mercy.<p><b>For who can resist His will?</b><br />The Greek word for "resist" is "ἀνθέστηκεν" (anthestēken), meaning to stand against or oppose. This phrase underscores the omnipotence of God, suggesting that His will is ultimately unstoppable. Theologically, this speaks to the sovereignty of God, a key tenet in conservative Christian doctrine. The question implies that God's purposes will be accomplished regardless of human opposition, aligning with scriptural affirmations of God's ultimate authority and control over creation.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19-21) These verses contain the third part of the vindication, which is based upon a possible extension of the objection. Not only might it seem as if this absolute choice and rejection was unjust in itself, but also unjust in its consequences. How can a man be blamed or punished, when his actions are determined for him? The Apostle meets this by a simple but emphatic assertion of the absolute and unquestionable prerogative of God over His creatures.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who resisteth his will?</span> Having shown that <span class="accented">injustice</span> cannot be imputed to God in hardening as well as having mercy on whom he will, the apostle now meets the supposed difficulty of understanding why men should be held <span class="accented">guilty</span> before God for but being as he wills them to be. It is immediately suggested by Pharaoh's case, which led to the conclusion, <span class="greek">ὅν θέλει σκληρύνει</span>; but the apostle foresees that an objection might be raised on this ground to his finding fault with the Jews for rejecting Christ, and them he especially has in view in what follows. It may be observed here that there is undoubtedly a difficulty to the human mind in reconciling theoretically Divine omnipotence with human free-will and responsibility. (On the general question, see notes on ch. 8.) St. Paul here, after his manner, does not attempt to solve the general problem, confining himself for the present to the Divine side of it. His answer, in vers. 20, 21, is simply to the effect that God has the absolute right as well as power to deal with his own creation as he pleases, and that man is in no position to "contend with the Almighty" (see <a href="/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2</a>). He brings in from the prophets the illustration of the potter's power and right over the clay, which he fashions and deals with as he chooses. It will be seen, however, as we go on, that this illustration by no means involves, as by some it has been supposed to do, the idea of rejection and condemnation irrespectively of desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/9-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">One of you will say</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐρεῖς</span> <span class="translit">(Ereis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me,</span><br /><span class="grk">μοι</span> <span class="translit">(moi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Then</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">why</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does [God] still find fault?</span><br /><span class="grk">μέμφεται</span> <span class="translit">(memphetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> </span><span class="str2">To blame, censure, find fault. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to blame.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="grk">τίς</span> <span class="translit">(tis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can resist</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθέστηκεν</span> <span class="translit">(anthestēken)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_436.htm">Strong's 436: </a> </span><span class="str2">To set against; I withstand, resist, oppose. From anti and histemi; to stand against, i.e. Oppose.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will?”</span><br /><span class="grk">βουλήματι</span> <span class="translit">(boulēmati)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1013.htm">Strong's 1013: </a> </span><span class="str2">Will, counsel, purpose. From boulomai; a resolve.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/9-19.htm">NT Letters: Romans 9:19 You will say then to me Why (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/9-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 9:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 9:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 9:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 9:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>