Romans 9:15

Translations

Modern

For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Traditional

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Literal

For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I may have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I may have compassion.”

Latin

Moysi enim dicit: Miserebor cujus misereor: et misericordiam præstabo cujus miserebor.

Original

Greek

English

For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Notes

Romans 9:15

This quotation from Exodus 33:19 emphasizes God's nature. God is not obligated or forced to show mercy to anyone. When God shows mercy, he does so freely, according to his own will.

Romans 9:14–16

God’s choice is not unfair because God does not owe anything to sinful human beings (see study note on 4:4–5). Anything God gives is an act of mercy, not a payment that people deserve.

Romans 9:1–11:36

n this section, Paul addresses a serious question. Many Jews did not believe in Jesus. If God had promised salvation to Israel, how could Jesus truly fulfill God’s plan when so few Jews believed (9:1–5)? In response, Paul uses the Old Testament to show that God always planned to save only a remnant, that is, a smaller group within Israel (9:6–29). Paul also explains that many Jews did not accept Christ because they refused to trust in him (9:30–10:21).

Paul then makes clear that God has not rejected Israel. Some Jews have already believed in Christ (11:1–10). Many more will trust in Christ in the future (11:12–26).

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Paul (Saul) Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility Ethnic Hatred God’s Covenant Love God’s Unified Plan of Salvation The Sovereignty of God

Related verses

Exodus 33:19
“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.”
Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
Romans 9:18–19
Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
Exodus 34:6–7
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,
Isaiah 27:11
When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.

Parallels

Genesis 25:19–28 Malachi 1:1–5

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Esther Elect, Election Land Letter to the Romans Mercy Mystery

Topics

Election of Saints, Is: Sovereign Grace of God: General Scriptures Concerning Predestination: General Scriptures Concerning The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Whom he Will

Romans 9:15

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