Welcome to the next Bible Study of Romans, Chapter 9:

Let’s reason and take an inspiring verse by verse look at “Romans 9:1-33”, followed with a Summary and Prayer.

Verse 1: “I say the truth in CHRIST, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,”

Paul emphasizes his sincerity about his feelings toward Israel. He asserts the truth of his words by invoking CHRIST, highlighting how deeply he feels for his fellow Israelites.

Verse 2: “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.”

Paul expresses profound sorrow for his people, indicating that he is deeply saddened by their spiritual state and their rejection of CHRIST.

Verse 3: “For I could wish that myself were accursed from CHRIST for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”

Paul shows the depth of his love by suggesting he would willingly trade his own salvation for the sake of his fellow Jews, showcasing his selflessness.

Verse 4: “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;”

Paul lists the privileges of the Israelites, which include being GOD’S chosen people, recipients of His glory, and partakers of His covenants.

Verse 5: “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, who is over all, GOD blessed for ever. Amen.”

Here, Paul acknowledges that CHRIST, who is GOD, came from the lineage of the Israelites, emphasizing their important role in GOD’S divine plan.

Verse 6: “Not as though the word of GOD hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:”

Paul clarifies that not all physical descendants of Israel are true Israelites in the spiritual sense; being part of GOD’S covenant is based on faith, not merely lineage.

Verse 7: “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”

Paul distinguishes between physical descent and spiritual inheritance, using Isaac as a key example of GOD’S choice in the covenant promise.

Verse 8: “That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of GOD: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

This verse reinforces the concept that GOD’S children are those who align with His promises, not just those born into a particular lineage.

Verse 9: “For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Paul refers to the promise given to Sarah about bearing Isaac, which demonstrates GOD’S promise fulfilling His will.

Verse 10: “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;”

Paul further illustrates GOD’S sovereign choice through Rebecca’s children, emphasizing that GOD’S purposes extend beyond mere human choices.

Verse 11: “(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;)”

This verse reinforces the doctrine of divine election, indicating that GOD’S divine plan is based on His sovereignty rather than human actions.

Verse 12: “It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.”

Paul quotes GOD’S pronouncement to Rebecca, emphasizing how GOD’S choice subverts human expectations and norms.

Verse 13: “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”

This controversial statement highlights GOD’S sovereign choice, provoking questions about the nature of GOD’S love and justice.

Verse 14: “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with GOD? GOD forbid.”

Paul anticipates objections regarding GOD’S justice, firmly declaring that there is no injustice in GOD’S choices.

Verse 15: “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.”

This reveals GOD’S sovereignty in mercy, highlighting that His grace is given as He sees fit.

Verse 16: “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of GOD that sheweth mercy.”

Paul concludes that human effort can’t earn salvation; it is solely a result of GOD’S mercy.

Verse 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.”

GOD’S purpose in raising Pharaoh indicates His sovereignty in all circumstances, using even those who oppose Him for His glory.

Verse 18: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.”

This expresses the dual aspect of GOD’S sovereignty, in showing grace to some and hardening others, which ultimately serves His divine purpose.

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

Paul preempts questions about GOD’S justice, addressing the common objection about human accountability under GOD’S sovereignty.

Verse 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?”

Paul reminds readers of the creator-creature distinction; humans cannot question GOD’S motives or decisions.

Verse 21: “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”

This analogy highlights GOD’S sovereignty in shaping destinies, choosing certain individuals for honorable or dishonorable purposes.

Verse 22: “What if GOD, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:”

Paul contemplates GOD’S patience with those destined for destruction, emphasizing that His mercy and justice lead to His purpose being fulfilled.

Verse 23: “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”

Paul contrasts vessels of wrath with vessels of mercy, ultimately revealing GOD’S glory in the salvation of believers.

Verse 24: “Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”

This is key to understanding Paul’s message of inclusion; salvation is offered to both Jews and Gentiles.

Verse 25: “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.”

Paul quotes Hosea, indicating that GOD’S grace extends beyond Israel, fulfilling the prophecy of inclusion.

Verse 26: “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living GOD.”

This speaks of restoration and the inclusion of those once considered outsiders into GOD’S family.

Verse 27: “Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:”

Paul points out that while many are called, only a remnant of true believers will be saved, reinforcing the need for genuine faith.

Verse 28: “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”

This underscores GOD’S ability to accomplish His purposes perfectly and swiftly.

Verse 29: “And as Isaiah said before, Except the LORD of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrah.”

Paul emphasizes GOD’S mercy in preserving a remnant, likening Israel to Sodom and Gomorrah without this divine intervention.

Verse 30: “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.”

Paul marvels that Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness through the law, have attained it through faith.

Verse 31: “But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.”

This presents a stark contrast with the Jews, who diligently sought righteousness through law but missed it due to reliance on works rather than faith.

Verse 32: “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;”

Paul identifies their failure as stemming from a lack of faith, causing them to stumble over CHRIST, the cornerstone.

Verse 33: “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

Paul concludes with a reference to Isaiah, affirming that CHRIST is both a source of stumbling for the unbelieving and a foundation for those who believe.

Let’s summarize Romans Chapter 9:

In this Chapter of “Romans 9:1-33”, Paul expresses deep sorrow for Israel’s rejection of CHRIST despite their privileged status as GOD’S chosen people. He emphasizes that true citizenship in GOD’S family is based on faith, not heritage. Through examples from the Old Testament, Paul illustrates GOD’S sovereignty in choosing who receives His mercy. He contrasts the faith of the Gentiles with Israel’s reliance on the law, showing that righteousness comes through faith in CHRIST. Ultimately, Paul underscores that salvation is accessible to all who believe, while GOD’S faithfulness and sovereignty guide His purpose throughout history.

Let us Pray:

Dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER, we thank You for Your marvelous righteous Word and the depth of Your sovereignty, mercy, and grace. Help us to understand and embrace the incredible truth that You invite all people into a relationship with You through faith in CHRIST. May we not rely on our works, but trust wholly in Your promises. Give us a heart for those who are lost, just as Paul had for his people, and empower us to share the Gospel with boldness. We ask for wisdom to comprehend Your divine ways and courage to live out our faith in a world that often does not understand.Thank you dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER. We pray this throughout the mighty, glorious, fulfilling name of JESUS CHRIST. Amen!

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings to You, through JESUS CHRIST, our almighty dear LORD, SAVIOUR and REDEEMER!