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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 9:20 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?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/9-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/45_Rom_09_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 9:20 - The Calling of the Gentiles" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? 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Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” <a href="/esv/romans/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” <a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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?” <a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But rather, O man, who are you, answering against God? Shall the thing formed say to the One having formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" <a href="/kjv/romans/9.htm">King James Bible</a> Nay 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? <a href="/nkjv/romans/9.htm">New King James Version</a> But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” <a href="/nasb_/romans/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> On the contrary, who are you, you foolish person, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? <a href="/nasb/romans/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, &#8220Why did you make me like this,&#8221 will it? <a href="/nasb77/romans/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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? <a href="/lsb/romans/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? WILL THE THING MOLDED SAY TO THE MOLDER, “WHY DID YOU MAKE ME LIKE THIS”? <a href="/amp/romans/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers [arrogantly] back to God and dares to defy Him? Will the thing which is formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” <a href="/csb/romans/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> On the contrary, who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this? ” <a href="/hcsb/romans/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, &#8220Why did you make me like this?&#8221 <a href="/asv/romans/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? <a href="/cev/romans/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But, my friend, I ask, "Who do you think you are to question God? Does the clay have the right to ask the potter why he shaped it the way he did? <a href="/erv/romans/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? <a href="/gwt/romans/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Who do you think you are to talk back to God like that? Can an object that was made say to its maker, "Why did you make me like this?" <a href="/gnt/romans/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, "Why did you make me like this?" <a href="/isv/romans/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> On the contrary, who are you—mere man that you are—to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this?" <a href="/msb/romans/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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?” <a href="/net/romans/9.htm">NET Bible</a> But who indeed are you--a mere human being--to talk back to God? Does what is molded say to the molder, "Why have you made me like this?" <a href="/nheb/romans/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But who indeed are you, a human being, to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" <a href="/wbt/romans/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> No, 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? <a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Nay, but who are you, a mere man, that you should cavil against GOD? Shall the thing moulded say to him who moulded it, "Why have you made me thus?" <a href="/web/romans/9.htm">World English Bible</a> But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> No, but, O man, who are you that are answering again to God? Will the thing formed say to Him who formed [it], Why did you make me thus? <a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But rather, O man, who are you, answering against God? Shall the thing formed say to the One having formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" <a href="/ylt/romans/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> nay, but, O man, who art thou that art answering again to God? shall the thing formed say to Him who did form it, Why me didst thou make thus? <a href="/slt/romans/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Surely, O man, who art thou replying against God? Shall the formation say to him having formed, Why hast thou made me so.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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? <a href="/cpdv/romans/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> O man, who are you to question God? How can the thing that has been formed say to the One who formed him: “Why have you made me this way?” <a href="/nabre/romans/9.htm">New American Bible</a> But who indeed are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is made say to its maker, “Why have you created me so?” <a href="/nrsvce/romans/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> However, O man, who are you to question God? Shall the thing formed say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like this? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Therefore, who are you, oh son of man, that you give a rebuttal to God? Does the thing formed say to the one who formed it, “Why have you made me this way?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> No, but rather, O man, who are you that dispute with God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed, it, Why have you made me thus? <a href="/godbey/romans/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Whether shall the thing formed say to him that formed it. Why did you make me thus? <a href="/haweis/romans/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Nay but, O man, who art thou that disputest against God? Shall the thing fashioned say to him that fashioned it, Why hast thou made me thus? <a href="/mace/romans/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?" <a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Nay, but who are you, a mere man, that you should cavil against GOD? Shall the thing moulded say to him who moulded it, "Why have you made me thus?" <a href="/worrell/romans/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Nay but, O man, who are you that reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him Who formed it, "Why didst Thou make me thus?" <a href="/worsley/romans/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Nay but, O man, who art thou, that disputest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? <a href="/parallel/romans/9-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=2338" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">The Calling of the Gentiles</a> 19One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” 20<a href="/greek/3304.htm" title="3304: menounge (Prtcl) -- Nay rather; indeed, truly, really. From Not Used and oun and ge; so then at least.">But</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/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are you,</a> <a href="/greek/5599.htm" title="5599: ō (I) -- A primary interjection; as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh.">O</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpe (N-VMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">man,</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/470.htm" title="470: antapokrinomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To contradict, reply against, give a hostile answer. From anti and apokrinomai; to contradict or dispute.">to talk back</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">to God?</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">Shall</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what</a> <a href="/greek/4110.htm" title="4110: plasma (N-NNS) -- A thing formed or fashioned. From plasso; something moulded.">is formed</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: erei (V-FIA-3S) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">say</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to Him who</a> <a href="/greek/4111.htm" title="4111: plasanti (V-APA-DMS) -- To form, mould, as a potter his clay. A primary verb; to mould, i.e. Shape or fabricate.">formed it,</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/4160.htm" title="4160: epoiēsas (V-AIA-2S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">did You make</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me</a> <a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">like this?”</a> 21Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a> 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”? <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a> 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’? <a href="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a> Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks? <a href="/job/9-12.htm">Job 9:12</a> If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’ <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a> “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. <a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a> But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand. <a href="/job/40-2.htm">Job 40:2</a> “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” <a href="/job/40-8.htm">Job 40:8</a> Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself? <a href="/job/42-2.htm">Job 42:2</a> “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-22.htm">1 Corinthians 10:22</a> Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a> For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-16.htm">1 Corinthians 2:16</a> “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. <a href="/1_corinthians/8-2.htm">1 Corinthians 8:2</a> The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. <a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a> 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. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a> Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>No but, O man, who are you that reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?O man.<a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1</a> Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a> He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?<a href="/1_corinthians/7-16.htm">1 Corinthians 7:16</a> For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?who art.<a href="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a> Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.<a href="/job/36-23.htm">Job 36:23</a> Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?<a href="/job/38-2.htm">Job 38:2,3</a> Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? … repliest.<a href="/job/16-3.htm">Job 16:3</a> Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?<a href="/titus/2-9.htm">Titus 2:9</a> Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;or, disputes with God?<a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a> Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?<a href="/1_timothy/6-5.htm">1 Timothy 6:5</a> Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.Shall.<a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a> Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?<a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9-11</a> Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/9-22.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/luke/7-27.htm">Aye</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Cavil</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/acts/23-13.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/romans/9-15.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/john/11-51.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/job/10-9.htm">Molded</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/4-13.htm">Answers</a> <a href="/job/37-1.htm">Aye</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Cavil</a> <a href="/romans/10-21.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-13.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/romans/9-25.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/14-1.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/job/10-9.htm">Molded</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 9</div>1. <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Paul is sorry for the Jews.</a> 7. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">All of Abraham not of the promise.</a> 18. <a href="/romans/9-18.htm">God's sovereignty.</a> 25. <a href="/romans/9-25.htm">The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.</a> 32. <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">The cause of their stumbling.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </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>But who are you, O man This phrase challenges the reader to consider their position in relation to God. The Greek word for "man" here is "anthrōpos," which refers to humanity in general. It emphasizes the finite and limited nature of human beings compared to the infinite wisdom and authority of God. Historically, this reflects the biblical theme of humility before God, as seen in <a href="/job/38.htm">Job 38-41</a>, where God questions Job, highlighting the vast difference between divine and human understanding.to talk back to God? The phrase "talk back" comes from the Greek "antapokrinomai," meaning to answer back or contradict. This suggests a posture of defiance or questioning of God's authority. In the scriptural context, it is a reminder of the proper attitude of submission and reverence that believers should maintain. The rhetorical question underscores the futility and arrogance of challenging God's sovereign will.Shall what is formed The term "formed" is derived from the Greek "plasma," indicating something molded or shaped by a creator. This imagery is reminiscent of the potter and clay metaphor found in <a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a>, where God is the potter, and humanity is the clay. It highlights God's role as the Creator, who has the right to shape His creation according to His purpose.say to Him who formed it This phrase reinforces the relationship between the Creator and the created. The Greek word "plasso" for "formed" suggests intentionality and craftsmanship. It implies that God, as the divine artisan, has a specific design and purpose for each individual. The historical context of this relationship is rooted in the Genesis creation narrative, where God forms man from the dust of the ground (<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>).'Why did You make me like this?' This question reflects a common human struggle with identity and purpose. The Greek word "poieō" for "make" indicates an action of creation with intent and purpose. The question challenges God's wisdom and plan, echoing the sentiments of those who question their circumstances or design. From a scriptural perspective, it calls believers to trust in God's perfect plan, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Psalm 139:13-16</a>, which speaks of God's intimate involvement in the formation of each person.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Nay but, O man.--The answer is not so much a solution of the intellectual difficulty, as an appeal to the religious sense to prevent it from being raised. That His dealings should be questioned at all is a breach of the reverence due to God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 20, 21. - Nay 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? (<a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16</a>; <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a>). Hath not the potter power (rather, authority) over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? (<a href="/jeremiah/18-1.htm">Jeremiah 18:1-10</a>). The figure of the clay, first introduced from Isaiah, is carried out at length in the passage from Jeremiah which is referred to. It is important, for understanding St. Paul's drift, to examine this passage. The prophet, in order that he might understand God's way of dealing with nations, is directed to go down to the potter's house, and watch the potter at his work. The potter is at work with a lump of clay, with the view of making a vessel of it; but it is "marred in the hand of the potter;" it does not come out into the form intended; so he rejects it, and makes anew another vessel after his mind, "as seemed good to the potter to make it." The prophet's application of the illustration is that, "as the clay is in the potter's hands, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel, saith the LORD;" meaning that if the house of Israel failed to answer to the LORD'S purpose, he could reject it at his pleasure, as the potter did the marred vessel; and in vers. 7-10 the view is extended to God's power over, and way of dealing with, all nations of mankind; and then, in ver. 11, the men of Judah are warned to return from their evil ways, lest the LORD should so do unto them. Thus it is by no means implied by the illustration that Israel, or any other nation, has been formed with the primary and irresistible purpose of rejecting it as a "vessel unto dishonour," or that, when rejected, it has not had opportunity of being otherwise; but only that God has absolute power and right over it, to reject it if proved unworthy. It cannot then resist his will (βούλημα, i.e. determination or resolve; not here θέλημα. The primary Divine θέλημα is "that all men should be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth" (<a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a>); and this men do resist. For distinction between θέλειν and Βούλεσθαι, cf. <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Matthew 1:19</a>); but yet he may "find fault" with justice. It is here again evident that it is not individuals, but nations, that are in view all along. The apostle goes on next to consider whether, in God's actual dealings with the "vessels unto dishonour," there may not be, not only great forbearance, but also a merciful purpose. <a href="/commentaries/romans/9-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But μενοῦνγε (menounge) Particle <a href="/greek/strongs_3304.htm">Strong's 3304: </a> Nay rather; indeed, truly, really. From Not Used and oun and ge; so then at least. who τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. are you, εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. O ὦ (ō) Interjection <a href="/greek/strongs_5599.htm">Strong's 5599: </a> A primary interjection; as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh. man, ἄνθρωπε (anthrōpe) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. to talk back ἀνταποκρινόμενος (antapokrinomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_470.htm">Strong's 470: </a> To contradict, reply against, give a hostile answer. From anti and apokrinomai; to contradict or dispute. to God? Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [Shall] μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. what τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. is formed πλάσμα (plasma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4110.htm">Strong's 4110: </a> A thing formed or fashioned. From plasso; something moulded. say ἐρεῖ (erei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say. to Him who τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. formed [it], πλάσαντι (plasanti) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4111.htm">Strong's 4111: </a> To form, mould, as a potter his clay. A primary verb; to mould, i.e. Shape or fabricate. “Why Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. have you made ἐποίησας (epoiēsas) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. me με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. like this?” οὕτως (houtōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3779.htm">Strong's 3779: </a> Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/9-20.htm">NT Letters: Romans 9:20 But indeed O man who are you (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/9-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 9:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 9:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/9-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 9:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 9:21" /></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>