Romans 9:19
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.
One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?”
20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
21 Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?
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
- One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?”
- KJV
- Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
- WEB
- You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?”
- ASV
- Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?
- DARBY
- Thou wilt say to me then, Why does he yet find fault? for who resists his purpose?
- BLB
- You will say, then, to me, “Why then does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”
- ÅB
- Da vil du spørre meg: «Hva har han da å klage over? Hvem kan vel stå imot hans vilje?»
- OTB
- Du vil da spørre, «Hvorfor finner Han da feil? For hvem kan stå imot Hans vilje?»
- B1930
- Du vil da si til mig: Hvad har han da ennu å klage over? for hvem står vel hans vilje imot?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”
Read in context2 Chronicles 20:6
and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.
Read in context1 Corinthians 15:12
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Read in context1 Corinthians 15:35
But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?”
Read in contextJob 9:19
If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him ?
Read in contextGenesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
Read in contextPsalms 76:10
Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
Read in contextJob 9:12–15
If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’
Read in context