KJ
Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find
fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20 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?
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the
same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and
to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath
fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his
glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews
only, but also of the Gentiles?
Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my
people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 9:26 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.
Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the
number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be
saved:
Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in
righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Rom 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of
Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto
Gomorrha.
Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which
followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the
righteousness which is of faith.
Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of
righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it
not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that
stumblingstone;
Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a
stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be
ashamed.
Main Points: Paul starts this section by eliminating any judgments/complaints against God. The accusation is that if God forces someone to sin, how can sin be imputed against the sinner? Paul’s answer sets the believer in their proper context with God. 1st – We cannot judge God for how He has dealt with people in the past – 2nd we must consider what He has done for our CURRENT condition with Him.(23-24) The overriding message here is the inclusion of Gentiles and not much more than that.
9. Explain
verses 19-24. What is Paul proving concerning God’s purpose in election? The purpose of election in the last
section was illustrating how God chose Jacob over Esau before they were even
born. It was the lineage of Jacob that would fulfill His purpose. Jacob however was not the
fulfillment of God’s ultimate purpose. Jesus was. Jesus was the catalyst for
salvation to all mankind. THAT too was God’s purpose. In THAT day (Paul’s day) THEY
were the vessels through which God would demonstrate His MERCY and ultimately:
When they (and us) are drawn to God, through obedience, we reveal God’s glory.
WE (Jew and Gentile) are now vessels that demonstrate God’s mercy and glory.
10. (vs
25/26) How does the prophecy from Hosea prove Paul’s point concerning God’s
election? (2:23, 1:10) Within the context of Hosea: God explains to
Israel that although they had been unfaithful to Him, He will win them back as
a “bride.” The entire effort that can accomplish it is generated by God and
responded to by mankind. In the text, Hosea is talking about Israel, but the
extended implication (by prophecy) is that the Gentiles are now included.
i.e “not my loved one” – “not my people”
– “you are not my people" - Paul is
explaining that Israel had become Gentiles themselves in the past.
11. How does Isaiah’s prophecy prove Paul’s point? (RE: 27-28) (Is 10:22-23)
We see in this instance, God’s judgment in relation to there being a remnant (of believers) in Israel. As sure as this came to pass and was performed by God, so is this gospel. This doing is of a divine nature, which is only part of Paul’s main point.
12. What does the second quotation from Isaiah prove for Paul? (RE:29) (Is. 1:9)
Again, this alludes to the remnant. Within the context of God’s divine selection/election, Israel was always to be a part of it. Because of their rejection of God many were rejected by Him, but there would always be some who seek Him and are a part of His purpose of election. But even that is not Paul’s main point. He is extending the concept of remnant beyond the borders of Israel.
13. What did the Gentiles not pursue but receive? (30-31) What did the Jews pursue but not receive? Righteousness: G1343: δικαιοσύνη dikaiosunē dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay From G1342; equity (of character or act) – Root word means “holy”
14. Why did the Jews not receive what they were seeking? CEV: ….because they were trying to be acceptable by obeying the Law instead of by having faith in God.
Paul interjects this statement as a reminder of previous points made in his letter. Understand that by removing the perceived power of the law, he is opening the door to where the power really is: God, and a belief/faith in Him.
Paul interjects this statement as a reminder of previous points made in his letter. Understand that by removing the perceived power of the law, he is opening the door to where the power really is: God, and a belief/faith in Him.
15. How does Paul’s third quotation in this section from Isaiah prove his point?
(vs 33)(Is. 8:14, 28:16) – Paul’s point is made in verses 30-32. Gentiles have attained righteousness through faith, not law/works, as attempted by Israel. The stone that causes people to stumble was belief in their own righteousness, and not God. In Paul’s day it was Jesus who was the stumbling stone for anyone who sought to be justified through the law. Isaiah calls Him the corner stone and as Paul is pointing out, some are stumbling over it instead of humbling themselves before it (Him).
In both Isaiah references, God makes it clear that He is the one who will make righteousness achievable for His people. They cannot do it on their own.
Is 28:17 “I will make justice the measuring line” 28:2-3 Sing about a fruitful vineyard, I the Lord watch over it, I water it continually, I guard it day and night 8:13 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy…
Paul is still dismantling any arrogance based on lineage.
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…and not law
3. Accept that the Gentiles are God’s children, fellow heirs
4. Defend God’s right to bring in the Gentiles and this covenant
