Then he proceeded to refute the charge. When the whole nation of Israel rebelled against God by worshipping the golden calf ( Exodus 32), God took the lives of only3 ,000 of the rebels. He could have justly slain the whole nation. His mercy caused Him to do something that appeared to be unjust. Likewise in His dealings with Jacob and Esau God blessed Esau greatly as a descendant of Abraham, as He did all of Abraham"s descendants. Nevertheless He chose to bestow special grace on Jacob. [source][source][source]
"The grace of God has been spoken of in this Epistle often before; but not until these chapters is mercy named; and until mercy is understood, grace cannot be fully appreciated." [1][source]
Context Summary
Romans 9:14-24 - The Righteousness Of God's Choices
God desires to do His best for every man. But, as in the case of Esau, who wantonly sold his birthright, and of Pharaoh, who turned all God's revelations into occasions of aggravated resistance and stronger revolt, the Heavenly Father is sometimes compelled to cast away those who might assist in the execution of His purposes, and use inferior vessels made from common clay. In the earlier part of the conflict with the proud Egyptian monarch, it is said that he hardened his heart, and afterward that God hardened it, Exodus 8:15; Exodus 10:20. To the froward God becomes froward; that is, the means that He takes to soften and save will harden, just as the sun which melts wax hardens clay.
The same power which was thwarted and resisted by the unbelief and stubbornness of the Chosen People, has taken up us Gentiles, who have had none of their advantages, and what wonderful mercy has He shown to us! Riches of glory on vessels of mercy! Romans 9:23. What an argument for us all not to resist the grace of God, which strives with us so earnestly and continually! God can make saints out of the most unlikely material. Let us see that He has full opportunity. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 9
1Paul is sorry for the Jews 7All of Abraham not of the promise 18God's sovereignty 25The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold 32The cause of their stumbling
Greek Commentary for Romans 9:15
For he says to Moses [τωι Μωυσει γαρ λεγει] He has an Old Testament illustration of God‘s election in the case of Pharaoh (Exodus 33:19). [source]
On whom I have mercy [ον αν ελεω] Indefinite relative with αν an and the present active subjunctive of ελεαω eleaō late verb only here and Judges 1:23 in N.T. “On whomsoever I have mercy.” The same construction in ον αν οικτειρω hon an oikteirō “on whomsoever I have compassion.” [source]
I will have mercy - compassion [ἐλεήσω - οἰκτειρήσω] See Exodus 33:19. For mercy see on 2 John 1:3; see on Luke 1:50. The former verb emphasizes the sense of human wretchedness in its active manifestation; the latter the inward feeling expressing itself in sighs and tears. Have mercy therefore contemplates, not merely the sentiment in itself, but the determination of those who should be its objects. The words were spoken to Moses in connection with his prayer for a general forgiveness of the people, which was refused, and his request to behold God's glory, which was granted. With reference to the latter, God asserts that His gift is of His own free grace, without any recognition of Moses' right to claim it on the ground of merit or service. [source]
What do the individual words in Romans 9:15 mean?
ToMosesforHe saysI will show mercy towhom-I may show mercyandI will have compassion onI may have compassion
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Μωσεύς
Sense: the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion.
Greek Commentary for Romans 9:15
He has an Old Testament illustration of God‘s election in the case of Pharaoh (Exodus 33:19). [source]
Indefinite relative with αν an and the present active subjunctive of ελεαω eleaō late verb only here and Judges 1:23 in N.T. “On whomsoever I have mercy.” The same construction in ον αν οικτειρω hon an oikteirō “on whomsoever I have compassion.” [source]
See Exodus 33:19. For mercy see on 2 John 1:3; see on Luke 1:50. The former verb emphasizes the sense of human wretchedness in its active manifestation; the latter the inward feeling expressing itself in sighs and tears. Have mercy therefore contemplates, not merely the sentiment in itself, but the determination of those who should be its objects. The words were spoken to Moses in connection with his prayer for a general forgiveness of the people, which was refused, and his request to behold God's glory, which was granted. With reference to the latter, God asserts that His gift is of His own free grace, without any recognition of Moses' right to claim it on the ground of merit or service. [source]