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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 9:14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/9-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/45_Rom_09_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 9:14 - God's Sovereign Choice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What then shall we say? Is God unjust? 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Is God unjust? Not at all!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say? <i>Is there</i> injustice with God? Never may it be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then? <i>Is there</i> unrighteousness with God? God forbid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What shall we say then? <i>Is there</i> unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there any unrighteousness with God? May it never be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Are we saying God is unfair? Certainly not! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />What can we say-that God is unfair? That's unthinkable!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Shall we say, then, that God is unjust? Not at all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What should we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Absolutely not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? By no means.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What then are we to infer? That there is injustice in God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What, then, will we say? Unrighteousness [is] with God? Let it not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then shall we say? <i>Is there</i> injustice with God? Never may it be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What, then, shall we say? unrighteousness is with God? let it not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What then shall we say is injustice with God? It may not be.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? God forbid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />What should we say next? Is there unfairness with God? Let it not be so!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What then are we to say? Is there injustice on the part of God? Of course not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Far be it.<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 />What shall we say, therefore? Is there evil with God? God forbid!<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />What, then, shall we say? Is there unrighteousness with. God? It can not be.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then what shall we say? Is there unrighteousness with God? It could not be so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />What shall we say therefore? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />What do we say then? is there injustice in God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />What then are we to infer? That there is injustice in God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />What, then, shall we say? <i>Is there</i> unrighteousness with God? It could not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />What shall we say then? <i>Is there</i> injustice in God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/9-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=2288" 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">God's Sovereign Choice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><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.">What</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: eroumen (V-FIA-1P) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">shall we say?</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.">Is</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: para (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. "></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.">God</a> <a href="/greek/93.htm" title="93: adikia (N-NFS) -- Injustice, unrighteousness, hurt. From adikos; injustice; morally, wrongfulness.">unjust?</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."></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genoito (V-AOM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">Certainly not!</a> </span> <span class="reftext">15</span>For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”…<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="/exodus/33-19.htm">Exodus 33:19</a></span><br />“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a></span><br />He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-17.htm">Psalm 145:17</a></span><br />The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-21.htm">Isaiah 45:21</a></span><br />Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-10.htm">Job 34:10-12</a></span><br />Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. / For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. / Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2-3</a></span><br />“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-14.htm">Psalm 89:14</a></span><br />Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22-23</a></span><br />Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!<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="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34-35</a></span><br />Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">2 Timothy 2:13</a></span><br />if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13</a></span><br />When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">1 Peter 1:17</a></span><br />Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.</p><p class="hdg">shall.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1,5</a></b></br> What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit <i>is there</i> of circumcision? … </p><p class="hdg">Is there unrighteousness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5</a></b></br> But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5,6</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/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a></b></br> That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Far</a> <a href="/romans/7-13.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/romans/9-11.htm">God's</a> <a href="/acts/24-20.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Means</a> <a href="/romans/8-34.htm">Part</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Far</a> <a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/romans/9-16.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Means</a> <a href="/romans/9-21.htm">Part</a> <a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-1.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-6.htm">Unrighteousness</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Upright</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>What then shall we say?</b><br>This rhetorical question is a common device used by Paul to engage his readers and provoke thought. It invites the audience to consider the implications of the preceding arguments. In the context of <a href="/romans/9.htm">Romans 9</a>, Paul has been discussing God's sovereign choice in election, using examples from Israel's history. This question serves as a transition, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of God's justice and sovereignty.<p><b>Is God unjust?</b><br>This question addresses a potential objection to the doctrine of election. The idea that God chooses some and not others might seem unfair from a human perspective. In the cultural context of Paul's time, justice was a central theme in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought. The question challenges the reader to consider the nature of divine justice, which transcends human understanding. Biblically, God's justice is often linked with His righteousness, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>, where God is described as just and upright.<p><b>Certainly not!</b><br>Paul's emphatic denial underscores the consistency of God's character. The phrase "Certainly not!" is a strong Greek expression (me genoito) used by Paul to reject any notion that contradicts God's nature. This assurance aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God is inherently just and righteous, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/89-14.htm">Psalm 89:14</a>, which states that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne. This response reaffirms the trustworthiness of God's decisions and His ultimate wisdom in matters of election and salvation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the church in Rome, discussing the sovereignty and righteousness of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_church_in_rome.htm">The Church in Rome</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who are grappling with questions about God's justice and election.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, central to the discussion in <a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Romans 9</a> about God's sovereign choices and promises.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>Mentioned later in <a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Romans 9</a>, Pharaoh serves as an example of God's sovereign will in hardening hearts for His purposes.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>Referenced in the broader context of <a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Romans 9</a>, Moses is a key figure in understanding God's mercy and justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_justice.htm">Understanding Divine Justice</a></b><br>God's justice is perfect and beyond human comprehension. We must trust in His character and His revealed Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God has the sovereign right to choose and show mercy according to His will. This should lead us to humility and worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_perspective_vs._divine_perspective.htm">Human Perspective vs. Divine Perspective</a></b><br>Our understanding of justice is limited. We must align our perspective with Scripture, recognizing that God's ways are higher than ours.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_character.htm">Trust in God's Character</a></b><br>Even when circumstances seem unjust, believers are called to trust in God's righteous character and His ultimate plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_god's_sovereignty.htm">Responding to God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Our response to God's sovereignty should be one of submission and faith, seeking to align our lives with His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_free_will_if_god_grants_mercy.htm">Romans 9:14–16: If God decides who receives mercy, is there any true free will or responsibility? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_particularism_mean.htm">What does particularism mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_irresistible_grace.htm">What is the doctrine of Irresistible Grace?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_supra-,_infra-,_and_sublapsarianism_differ.htm">How do supralapsarianism, infralapsarianism, and sublapsarianism differ?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14-18) These verses contain the second part of the vindication. This power of choosing one and refusing another has always been reserved to Himself by God; as is seen by the examples of Moses and Pharaoh.<p>(14) <span class= "bld">Is there unrighteousness?</span>--Again, as in <a href="/romans/3-5.htm" title="But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man)">Romans 3:5</a>, the Apostle anticipates a possible objection. Does not this apparently arbitrary choice of one and rejection of another imply injustice in Him who exercises it? The thought is not to be entertained.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14-24.</span> - (<span class="accented">b</span>) In the next section <span class="accented">injustice</span> on the part of God, in thus electing the objects of his mercy according to the good pleasure of his will, is repudiated. As in <a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1</a> and Romans 7:7, a false inference from what has been said is introduced by <span class="greek">τί οῦν ἐροῦμεν</span>, and indignantly rejected by <span class="greek">μὴ γένοιτο</span>, followed by reasons against the inference. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14-16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What shall we say then? Unrighteousness with God?</span> ("Is there" supplied in the Authorized Version somewhat weakens the force of the expression.) <span class="cmt_word">God forbid! For to Moses he saith, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.</span> The argument (thus introduced by <span class="greek">γὰρ</span>) requires two understood premisses - that God cannot possibly be unrighteous, and that what he himself said to Moses must be true. These premisses assumed, the apostle reasons thus: "What I have said of God's way of dealing with men does not imply unrighteousness in him; for it agrees with what he said of himself to Moses." The quotation is from <a href="/exodus/33-19.htm">Exodus 33:19</a>. Moses had besought the LORD to show him his glory, as a token that he and the people had found grace in his sight (vers. 16, 18). The LORD, in answer to his prayer, makes "all his goodness pass before him," in token that such grace had been found; but declares, in the words quoted, that all such grace accorded was not due to any claim on the part of man, but to his own good pleasure. In the verses that follow (17, 18) it is further shown, by the same kind of argument, that, as God declares himself to accept whom he will, so he also declares himself to reject whom he will; and hence, as his power is absolute, so is his justice unimpeachable, in himself determining the objects of his reprobation no less than the objects of his mercy. This appears from what he is recorded (<a href="/exodus/9-16.htm">Exodus 9:16</a>) to have said through Moses to Pharaoh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/9-14.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">What</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">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">shall we say?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐροῦμεν</span> <span class="translit">(eroumen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<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">[Is]</span><br /><span class="grk">μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="grk">θεῷ</span> <span class="translit">(theō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unjust?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀδικία</span> <span class="translit">(adikia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_93.htm">Strong's 93: </a> </span><span class="str2">Injustice, unrighteousness, hurt. From adikos; injustice; morally, wrongfulness.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Absolutely not!</span><br /><span class="grk">γένοιτο</span> <span class="translit">(genoito)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Optative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/9-14.htm">Romans 9:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/9-14.htm">NT Letters: Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/9-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 9:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 9:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/9-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 9:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 9:15" /></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>