Romans 9:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} he saith {G3004} to Moses {G3475}, I will have mercy on {G1653} whom {G3739}{G302} I will have mercy {G1653}, and {G2532} I will have compassion {G3627} on whom {G3739}{G302} I will have compassion {G3627}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For to Moshe he says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will pity whom I pity.”

Berean Standard Bible

For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

American Standard Version

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 9:15 presents a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty in the dispensing of His mercy and compassion, quoting directly from His self-revelation to Moses in Exodus. This verse is central to Paul's argument concerning God's elective purposes, particularly in relation to Israel's rejection of the Messiah, asserting that God's covenant promises are not nullified but are fulfilled according to His unconstrained divine will, which extends mercy to whomever He chooses, independent of human merit or lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 9:15 is situated within Paul's deeply theological and often challenging discourse in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9 "Romans 9-11 - God's Sovereignty and Israel's Place"), where he addresses the perplexing question of Israel's apparent rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Having established the universal need for salvation by faith in [Romans 1-8](/romans/1 "Romans 1-8 - The Gospel of God's Righteousness"), Paul now confronts the implications for God's faithfulness to His chosen people. The preceding verses in [Romans 9](/romans/9 "Romans 9 - God's Sovereign Choice") emphasize that not all who are descended from Israel are truly "Israel" in the spiritual sense, introducing the concept of God's sovereign election, as seen in the choices of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. Verse 15 serves as a foundational scriptural proof text for Paul's assertion that God's choice is based on His own will, not on human works or birthright, directly quoting [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Declaration to Moses").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, grappling with the theological implications of the gospel's spread among Gentiles while many Jews remained unconverted. The Jewish people, as God's covenant nation, held a unique historical and theological position, rooted in the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. Their understanding of God's promises often intertwined national identity with divine favor. Paul's argument in [Romans 9](/romans/9 "Romans 9 - God's Sovereign Choice") directly challenges any presumption of automatic salvation based on ethnic heritage, lineage from Abraham, or adherence to the Law. By quoting [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Declaration to Moses"), Paul taps into a pivotal moment in Israel's history—after the golden calf idolatry—where God reaffirmed His covenant but also underscored His absolute freedom to show mercy, even to a rebellious people. This historical context highlights the radical nature of God's grace, which is not earned but freely given.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute freedom and prerogative to act according to His own will, particularly in matters of salvation and election. It underscores that God is not bound by human expectations, merits, or systems of justice, but rather, His actions flow from His inherent character. Connected to this is the theme of **Unmerited Favor and Grace**, as mercy and compassion are presented as gifts, not entitlements. This challenges any notion of human boasting or self-righteousness, emphasizing that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, as further expounded in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). Finally, the verse reveals aspects of **God's Character**, portraying Him as one who is rich in mercy and compassion, even in His sovereign choices. While His ways may be inscrutable to human understanding, they are always consistent with His perfect righteousness and love, as seen throughout the narrative of redemption from [Genesis](/genesis/1 "Genesis - The Book of Beginnings") to [Revelation](/revelation/1 "Revelation - The Book of the End").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Greek, _légō'_):** This word signifies a systematic or set discourse, indicating that God's declaration to Moses was not a random utterance but a deliberate and authoritative statement. It emphasizes the weight and intentionality behind God's revelation of His character and prerogative.
* **mercy (Greek, _eleéō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "pity," _eleéō_ refers to the active demonstration of compassion, particularly towards those in a state of misery or distress. In this context, it highlights God's benevolent intervention on behalf of the undeserving, stemming from His divine grace rather than any human merit.
* **compassion (Greek, _oikteírō'_):** This term denotes a deep, inward feeling of pity or sympathy, a tender yearning from the innermost being. While similar to mercy, _oikteírō_ emphasizes the profound emotional depth of God's benevolent disposition, His heartfelt concern for humanity's plight, which then motivates His merciful actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he saith to Moses,"**: This introductory phrase grounds Paul's argument in the authoritative word of God, specifically referencing God's direct revelation to Moses in [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Declaration to Moses"). It establishes the divine origin and unassailable truth of the statement that follows, indicating that Paul is appealing to a foundational theological principle revealed in the Old Testament.
* **"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,"**: This clause powerfully asserts God's absolute sovereignty in the dispensing of His mercy. The repetition ("I will... on whom I will...") functions as an emphatic declaration, underscoring that God's decision to show mercy is entirely His own prerogative, not compelled by human deserving, merit, or external influence. It highlights the unconditioned nature of divine grace.
* **"and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."**: Parallel to the preceding clause, this statement reiterates and reinforces the same truth regarding God's compassion. The parallelism emphasizes the depth and breadth of God's benevolent will, confirming that His tender pity and active care are bestowed according to His own free and unconstrained choice, further solidifying the principle of divine election and unmerited favor.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Repetition** is central, with the phrases "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy" and "I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" serving as an emphatic **Parallelism**. This rhetorical strategy underscores God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty. The repetition is not redundant but rather a **Hebraism**, reflecting a common Old Testament literary technique to emphasize a point through reiteration. It highlights the divine prerogative and the unconditioned nature of God's grace. Furthermore, the declaration itself functions as a **Divine Assertion**, a direct and authoritative statement from God that brooks no argument or human qualification, establishing a foundational truth about His character and His dealings with humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 9:15 is a cornerstone in the biblical understanding of divine sovereignty and grace. It unequivocally states that God's mercy and compassion are not earned or merited, but are freely given according to His own will. This truth dismantles any human boasting or presumption based on lineage, works, or perceived righteousness. It underscores that salvation is entirely a gift of God, flowing from His unconstrained love and sovereign choice, rather than from human effort or worthiness. This profound declaration challenges human notions of fairness and justice, compelling us to humbly acknowledge God's ultimate authority and His freedom to bestow grace as He sees fit, always consistent with His perfect character.

* [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Declaration to Moses")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33-36 "Romans 11:33-36 - Doxology to God's Wisdom")
* [Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Mercy and Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 9:15 calls us to a profound posture of humility and gratitude before a sovereign God. If God's mercy and compassion are bestowed according to His own will, not ours, then our salvation is entirely a testament to His unmerited favor. This truth should eradicate any lingering pride in our own efforts or perceived goodness, fostering instead a deep and abiding thankfulness for the grace we have received. It also invites us to trust God's wisdom and justice, even when His ways seem mysterious or challenging to our human understanding. Recognizing that we are recipients of such boundless and unmerited divine kindness, we are then called to reflect this character to others, extending mercy and compassion to those around us, just as God has extended it to us. This verse compels us to worship a God who is both utterly sovereign and infinitely gracious.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's sovereign mercy challenge or comfort your understanding of salvation?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own merit rather than God's unmerited favor?**
* **How can understanding God's compassion for the undeserving motivate you to extend mercy to others in your daily life?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the nature of God's love and justice?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 9:15 mean that God arbitrarily chooses who will be saved without any human responsibility?**

Answer: Romans 9:15 emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty in the dispensing of His mercy and compassion, meaning His choice is not based on human merit or works. However, this verse does not negate human responsibility. Throughout Scripture, God calls people to repent and believe, and those who respond in faith are saved. The tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a complex theological paradox that the Bible presents without fully resolving it to human satisfaction. Paul continues to explore this in [Romans 10](/romans/10 "Romans 10 - Israel's Rejection of Christ"), where he speaks of Israel's rejection of the gospel due to their unbelief, highlighting their culpability. The verse primarily underscores that God's mercy is a gift, not a right, and that salvation ultimately originates from His gracious will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 9:15, a declaration of God's sovereign mercy, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very act of God choosing to have mercy on a fallen humanity, undeserving of His favor, is most perfectly demonstrated in His sending His Son. Jesus is the embodiment of God's compassion, the means by which God's sovereign will to save is executed. It is through Christ that God's mercy is made available to all who believe, for "God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). The cross of Christ is the supreme demonstration of God's unmerited favor, where "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love for Sinners")). Thus, the sovereign mercy declared in [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "Exodus 33:19 - God's Declaration to Moses") and quoted in [Romans 9:15](/romans/9-15 "Romans 9:15 - God's Sovereign Mercy") is not an abstract concept but a saving reality, fully realized in the redemptive work of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 33:19

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Romans 9:18

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.

Romans 9:19

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

Romans 9:16

So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Micah 7:18

Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

Exodus 34:6

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:7

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].