Key Verse: "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)" - Romans 9:11 KJV
Paul's heart is heavy as Romans 9 begins. He has just finished declaring that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Now he turns his attention to his fellow Israelites, his own people, and expresses an extraordinary burden for them. Paul writes: “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,” Romans 9:1
And then he reveals the depth of his sorrow: “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.” Romans 9:2
Why such sorrow? Because many of Paul's fellow Israelites had rejected Christ.
Paul loved his people deeply. He understood the privileges God had given Israel: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;” Romans 9:4
And yet possessing these privileges did not automatically mean that every individual Israelite had accepted God's provision of salvation through Christ.
This introduces an important question: If Israel had received God's promises, has God's Word failed because many Israelites rejected Christ?
Paul's answer is emphatic. “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6
God's Word has not failed.
Supporting Scripture
Paul reminds us that God's purposes have always involved His sovereign choice. He points to Isaac rather than Ishmael: “For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.” Romans 9:9
Then he refers to Jacob and Esau: “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand…” Romans 9:11
Paul is emphasizing something important: God's purposes do not depend upon human achievement. God's promises are not earned by human effort.
That same principle has already appeared throughout Romans. Salvation is by grace.
Paul asks: “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.” Romans 9:14
God is not unjust. We may not understand every aspect of God's sovereign purposes, but we can trust that His character is righteous.
Paul then quotes God's words to Moses: “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.” Romans 9:15
And Paul draws the conclusion: “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Romans 9:16
God's Mercy
That verse brings us to the heart of the passage: Mercy. None of us approaches God on the basis of personal merit.
Earlier Paul established: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
If salvation were something we could earn, it would no longer be mercy. Mercy means God gives what we do not deserve.
Paul therefore wants us to understand that God's saving purpose rests ultimately upon God, not upon human boasting.
This does not make human responsibility meaningless. Romans has repeatedly called people to faith and repentance. Rather, Paul is bringing us face-to-face with a truth that should humble us:
We are saved because God is merciful.
Devotional Thought
Romans 9 can be a difficult chapter. It deals with God's sovereignty, election, mercy, human responsibility, and Israel's place in God's purposes. We should approach such passages with humility.
There are things about God's purposes that are greater than our understanding. But there is something we can see very clearly in this chapter: God has not failed.
- Human beings may reject Him.
- People may misunderstand Him.
- Circumstances may appear to contradict His promises.
But God's Word remains true.
Paul's concern for Israel also teaches us something about the heart of a believer. Paul did not respond to Israel's unbelief with hatred or indifference. He had “great heaviness and continual sorrow” for them.
He cared about people who did not agree with him. That should challenge us. Truth should never make us cold toward people.
A heart that understands God's mercy should become a heart that desires others to know that mercy too.
Life Application
First, remember that your salvation is a matter of grace, not personal achievement. There is no room for boasting before God. Everything we have spiritually is ultimately a gift of His mercy.
Second, trust God's character when you encounter things in Scripture that you do not completely understand. Paul asked: “Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.” Romans 9:14 The answer is no. God is righteous even when His ways are beyond our understanding.
Finally, let Paul's burden for his fellow Israelites challenge your own heart.
- Do you care about people who are far from God?
- Do you pray for them?
- Do you desire that they come to know Christ?
The gospel should produce both humility before God and compassion toward people.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You that my salvation does not depend upon my ability to earn Your favor, but upon what You have done through Jesus Christ.
Help me trust You when I encounter things I do not fully understand. Remind me that Your wisdom is greater than mine and that You are always righteous and faithful.
Give me a heart like Paul's—a heart that cares deeply about people who do not yet know You. Help me pray for them, love them, and faithfully point them toward Jesus. Keep me humble and grateful for Your mercy.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
