Romans 9:1-18

ASV

Rom 9:1  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit, 

Rom 9:2  that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. 

Rom 9:3  For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 

Rom 9:4  who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 

Rom 9:5  whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 

Rom 9:6  But it is not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: 

Rom 9:7  neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 

Rom 9:8  That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. 

Rom 9:9  For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 

Rom 9:10  And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac-- 

Rom 9:11  for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, 

Rom 9:12  it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 

Rom 9:13  Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. 

Rom 9:14  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 

Rom 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. 

Rom 9:17  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. 

Rom 9:18  So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth. 

Main Points: Paul finishes his statement from 3:1 and brings down the spinning plate by reminding his Jewish family what advantages they had historically. He brings this up first to point out that God has not failed when it comes to inclusion of Gentiles. He weaves in his plea to them to conform to the gospel along with arguing for Gentile salvation. This will be his main theme through chapter eleven.

1.   Explain verses 1-3 Paul uses some hyperbole to stress the importance of what he is teaching and he connects it to himself emotionally. It is causing him great sorrow to know his kinsman are rejecting the Christ. This stress is something that never leaves him….it is continual…that is not hyperbole. Saying that he would trade places with those who are condemned is simply an exaggeration to make a point.

2.   What was given to the Israelites? How does this connect back to Romans 3:1?  ….adoption…glory….covenants…giving of the law…worship…promises…patriarchs – “Rom 3:1  What good is it to be a Jew? What good is it to be circumcised?”   3:1 is Similar in that Paul is debunking the perception of God being unjust. In chapter three his point is that it was man’s sin that was at fault “Rom 3:5  If our evil deeds show how right God is, then what can we say? Is it wrong for God to become angry and punish us? What a foolish thing to ask. Rom 3:6  But the answer is, "No." Otherwise, how could God judge the world?” 

3.       What does Paul mean, “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel?” (6) This is a reiteration of chapter 2 and following: Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.  These detractors are pulling God down to a human level, trying Him with human logic. Why? Because they expected to have power in this new church/covenant.

4.       How can you be Abraham’s child if you are not his offspring?  “not all…because they are his offspring” according to Paul’s line of reasoning?  (7) He cites the promise as being manifested through Issac, Abraham’s son, Rebekah,…NOT Abraham. Isaac’s sons became more than one lineage. Jacob’s lineage brought the Israelites, Esau brought the Edomites

5.   How are not all Jacob’s children the children of promise, according to Paul’s line of reasoning? All of Jacob’s children are part of the promise, they just aren’t the ONLY children of promise. Notice that Paul does not state anywhere that either one of these twins were exempt from God’s promises. That is Paul’s main point. God hated Esau for his rebellion, but never exempted him (and his lineage) from His Love. Remember “when we were God’s enemies” and “while we were yet sinners of God…”
Again, Paul is taking what God is doing to a spiritual level.

6.   Explain verses 11-13 and God’s purpose of election. How is God’s purpose of election seen in Jacob and Esau?  Purpose-G4286 prothesis  proth'-es-is
From G4388; a setting forth, Election –G1589 eklogē ek-log-ay'
From G1586; (divine) selection An overriding point is how it will “stand” or stay, or be reliable? (Without mankind’s effort, only God can do this)  - Another component is despite our assessment of who this promise is for….who is it for? It is for everyone. Esau rejected what was Godly and valuable yet even though his lineage did not become Israel, they too are afforded this gospel. These are simply two contrasting paradigms, one of them justifies God’s election.

7.   Looking at verse 16, what exactly does not depend “on human will or exertion?” Similar to verse 11. This is written to those who are called that are looking for God’s mercy. The system that affords salvation is completely dependent on God. He made it, not man. The concept of mercy suggests a response to the call (urging) by God.

8.   How does God’s dealing with Pharaoh prove God’s purpose of election?
Regardless of Pharaoh’s attitude toward God, God was still able to exhibit His glory and strength. God was glorified with no help from Pharaoh.

This is another sticky section that can get us all hung up if we do not look to Paul’s main point(s). As we will see, Paul is making the case for Gentile inclusion in the church…..always in God’s plan.

It’s better to focus on what he does say than to attempt to argue futile teachings about which many go off the rails.

Chapters 9-11 have several threads.

1.   A personal plea to the Jews to conform to the gospel (without law)

2.   Rely on Jesus and this gospel

3.   Accept that the Gentiles are God’s children, fellow heirs

4.   Defend God’s right to bring in the Gentiles and this covenant