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Romans 9:18

Mercy and compassionGod's power and sovereigntyGod's will and calling

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 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?

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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
Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
KJV
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
WEB
So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.
ASV
So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth.
DARBY
So then, to whom he will he shews mercy, and whom he will he hardens.
BLB
So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants.
ÅB
Han forbarmer seg altså over hvem han vil, og forherder hvem han vil.
OTB
Derfor har Han miskunn med hvem Han vil ha miskunn, og Han forherder hvem Han vil forherde.
B1930
Altså: hvem han vil, den miskunner han sig over; og hvem han vil, den forherder han.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Joshua 11:20

    For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

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  • Exodus 4:21

    And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

    Read in context

  • Romans 9:15–16

    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.

    Read in context

  • Romans 11:7–8

    What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

    Read in context

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12

    And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 2:30

    But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.

    Read in context

  • Romans 5:20–21

    Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

    Read in context

  • Exodus 7:13

    And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

    Read in context