9:14 9:14

Romans 9:15

9:16 9:16

Bible Versions

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.
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}.
For to Moshe he says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will pity whom I pity.”
For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.

Context

Romans 9:15 is a pivotal verse within Paul's profound discourse on God's sovereign plan for Israel and the Gentiles. In Romans chapters 9-11, Paul grapples with the apparent failure of God's promises to Israel, given that many Israelites had rejected Jesus as the Messiah. He asserts that God's word has not failed, but rather, God's election is based on His sovereign choice, not human merit or lineage. This verse quotes directly from God's declaration to Moses in Exodus 33:19, where God reveals His character and His prerogative to show mercy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse powerfully asserts God's absolute right and freedom to bestow mercy and compassion according to His own will, not based on human deserving. It underscores that God is not obligated by human standards or expectations.
  • Unmerited Favor: Mercy and compassion are presented as gifts of God's grace, not something earned or merited by human effort or performance. This foundational truth challenges any notion of human boasting or self-righteousness.
  • God's Character: While highlighting His sovereignty, the verse also reveals God's nature as one who is rich in mercy and compassion. His exercise of this power is always consistent with His perfect righteousness and love, even when His ways are beyond full human comprehension.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "mercy" and "compassion," which are strong biblical terms. In the Greek, "mercy" is eleos (ἔλεος), often referring to active pity shown to the miserable, while "compassion" is oiktirmos (οἰκτιρμός), denoting a deep, tender feeling of pity or sympathy, a yearning from the innermost being. These terms emphasize the profound, unmerited nature of God's benevolent acts. The repetition, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion," serves as a powerful rhetorical device to underscore God's ultimate authority and freedom in His dealings with humanity, particularly in the context of salvation.

Practical Application

Romans 9:15 calls believers to a profound sense of humility and gratitude. Our salvation is not a result of our own goodness or efforts, but solely of God's unmerited favor and sovereign choice. This should eliminate any ground for boasting and cultivate a deep appreciation for His grace. Furthermore, understanding God's prerogative to show mercy should lead us to trust His perfect wisdom and justice, even when His ways seem mysterious or difficult to reconcile with our human understanding. It also challenges us to reflect His character by extending mercy and compassion to others, recognizing that we ourselves are recipients of such divine kindness.

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.

  • 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].
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