Romans 9:16
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!
15 For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
- KJV
- So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
- WEB
- So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.
- ASV
- So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.
- DARBY
- So then [it is] not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shews mercy.
- BLB
- So then, [it is] not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy.
- ÅB
- Så står det da ikke på den som vil, heller ikke på den som løper, men på Gud, som har barmhjertighet.
- OTB
- Så det avhenger ikke av menneskelig ønske eller innsats, men av Guds miskunn.
- B1930
- Så står det da ikke til den som vil, heller ikke til den som løper, men til Gud, som gjør miskunnhet.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Read in contextPhilippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
Read in contextMatthew 11:25–26
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Read in context1 Peter 2:9–10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Read in contextEphesians 2:4–5
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
Read in contextTitus 3:3–5
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Read in context1 Corinthians 1:26–31
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
Read in contextRomans 9:11
Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,
Read in context