Romans 9:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G686} then {G3767} it is not {G3756} of him that willeth {G2309}, nor {G3761} of him that runneth {G5143}, but {G235} of God {G2316} that sheweth mercy {G1653}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus it doesn’t depend on human desires or efforts, but on God, who has mercy.

Berean Standard Bible

So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 9:16 stands as a profound declaration of divine sovereignty, asserting that God's saving mercy and elective purposes are not contingent upon human will, desire, or strenuous effort, but flow solely from His own gracious character. This verse serves as a crucial theological summary within Paul's intricate argument concerning God's faithfulness to Israel and the nature of His election, emphasizing that salvation and divine favor are entirely God's prerogative, freely bestowed and unearned by human merit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 9:16 is strategically positioned within Paul's deeply theological and often challenging discourse in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9 "Paul's Argument for God's Faithfulness to Israel"). Paul is grappling with the apparent paradox of Israel's rejection of their Messiah and the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. Immediately preceding this verse, Paul cites God's sovereign choice of Jacob over Esau before their birth, stating, "[Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated](/romans/9-13 "God's Sovereign Choice of Jacob and Esau")" (Romans 9:13, quoting Malachi 1:2-3). He then directly quotes [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "God's Declaration of Mercy to Moses"), where God declares to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" (Romans 9:15). Romans 9:16 functions as a climactic conclusion to these preceding arguments, distilling the essence of God's unconditioned freedom in dispensing His mercy and favor, setting the stage for subsequent discussions on human responsibility and the inclusion of Gentiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience, comprised of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, would have been familiar with the Jewish understanding of covenant and election. For many Jews, their lineage from Abraham and adherence to the Mosaic Law were seen as foundational to their standing with God. There was a prevalent emphasis on human striving—through obedience to the Law, good works, and zealous pursuit of righteousness—as a means of earning divine favor. Against this backdrop, Paul's assertion that God's mercy is "not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth" directly challenges any notion of human meritocracy or earned salvation. It underscores a fundamental shift from a works-based paradigm to one centered on divine grace, a concept that was revolutionary and often controversial in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, which typically valued human achievement and self-reliance.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 9:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans. Firstly, it profoundly asserts **Divine Sovereignty**, highlighting God's absolute freedom and authority in His redemptive plan. His choices are not dictated by human will or performance, but by His own wise and merciful counsel, as seen in the examples of Pharaoh and Moses in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose in Raising Pharaoh") and [Exodus 33:19](/exodus/33-19 "God's Declaration of Mercy to Moses"). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Mercy as the Ultimate Source** of salvation and blessing. It is not human striving but divine compassion that initiates and accomplishes salvation, a truth echoed throughout Paul's writings, particularly in [Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "God, Being Rich in Mercy"). Finally, it emphasizes **Human Inability** to secure salvation through personal effort. The phrases "not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth" unequivocally declare that human desire, intention, or strenuous exertion cannot compel or earn God's saving grace. This theme is foundational to Paul's gospel, which consistently points to salvation as a gift of grace received by faith, apart from works of the law, as articulated in [Romans 3:20-24](/romans/3-20-24 "Righteousness Through Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Willeth (Greek, _thélō'_):** This term (G2309) denotes an active option from subjective impulse, referring to human desire, intention, or choice. It captures the internal wish, longing, or determination. In this context, it signifies that salvation is not a result of human volition or the strength of one's personal desire for God.
* **Runneth (Greek, _tréchō'_):** This verb (G5143) implies active exertion, striving, or diligent pursuit, often used metaphorically for participating in a race or engaging in intense effort. Here, it signifies that salvation is not achieved through human performance, strenuous religious activity, or moral striving, no matter how earnest.
* **Sheweth mercy (Greek, _eleéō'_):** Derived from the word for "mercy," this verb (G1653) means to compassionate by word or deed, specifically by divine grace. It highlights God's active, sovereign act of compassion and grace, indicating that His mercy is freely given, unmerited, and the sole source of divine favor and salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So then [it is] not of him that willeth":** This clause emphatically states that salvation or divine favor does not originate from human desire, intention, or personal choice. No matter how strong a person's will or how sincere their longing for God, these internal human efforts are insufficient to secure God's redemptive mercy. This negates any notion that God's action is a response to or dependent upon human volition.
* **"nor of him that runneth":** Building on the previous negation, this phrase further clarifies that salvation is not achieved through human exertion, striving, or diligent religious performance. It dismisses the idea that one can earn God's favor through works, moral achievement, or zealous adherence to religious practices. Both internal desire ("willeth") and external action ("runneth") are explicitly excluded as the source of God's mercy.
* **"but of God that sheweth mercy":** This concluding clause provides the unequivocal positive statement, identifying the sole source of divine favor and salvation: God Himself, who actively "sheweth mercy." This highlights God's sovereign initiative, His unmerited compassion, and His absolute freedom to bestow grace according to His own will, independent of human merit or effort. It underscores that mercy is a divine attribute and action, freely given.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 9:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting human will and effort ("him that willeth," "him that runneth") in stark opposition to divine action ("God that sheweth mercy"). This antithetical structure powerfully emphasizes that the origin of salvation lies exclusively with God, not humanity. The phrases "not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth" also demonstrate **Parallelism**, specifically a negative parallelism, where two similar ideas are presented to reinforce the same point—the inadequacy of human effort. The use of the strong negative "not" (G3756, _ou_) followed by "nor" (G3761, _oudé_) creates a forceful **Emphasis** on the exclusion of human agency as the determining factor. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Summary Statement** (indicated by "So then," G686 _ara_ and G3767 _oûn_), drawing a definitive conclusion from Paul's preceding arguments about God's sovereign election and mercy (Romans 9:6-15).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 9:16 is a cornerstone for understanding the doctrine of salvation by grace alone. It unequivocally asserts that God's redemptive work is not a response to human initiative, merit, or striving, but flows from His own sovereign, unmerited mercy. This truth humbles humanity, stripping away any basis for boasting or self-reliance in the spiritual realm. It redirects all glory to God, who freely chooses to show compassion. This divine prerogative, however, does not negate human responsibility but rather establishes the context in which human faith and obedience operate – as a response to, rather than a cause of, God's prior grace. The verse underscores that election is rooted in God's character and purposes, ensuring the security of His people and the fulfillment of His plan, independent of human fallibility.

* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Not by Works of Righteousness")
* [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "Born of God's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 9:16 calls us to a profound reorientation of our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God. It dismantles any illusion that our standing before God is based on our own efforts, good intentions, or spiritual zeal. Instead, it compels us to embrace a posture of radical humility and complete dependence on God's unmerited favor. This truth should cultivate deep gratitude within us, recognizing that our redemption is a pure gift, not a reward. It frees us from the exhausting treadmill of trying to earn God's love or secure our salvation through performance, allowing us to rest in the finished work of Christ and the steadfastness of God's mercy. Understanding that God's mercy is sovereign and freely given should also ignite a passion for evangelism, not as a means to coerce God's hand, but as a joyful proclamation of the good news that salvation is available to all who respond in faith to God's gracious call.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you still subtly rely on your own will or effort to earn God's favor or blessings?**
* **How does the truth that salvation is "not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth" impact your sense of spiritual security and humility?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for God's sovereign mercy in your life?**
* **How might this verse shape your approach to evangelism and discipleship, emphasizing God's initiative over human performance?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 9:16 negate human responsibility or the need for faith?**

Answer: No, Romans 9:16 does not negate human responsibility or the necessity of faith, but it defines the *source* and *nature* of salvation. The verse emphasizes that the ultimate *origin* of salvation is God's sovereign mercy, not human will or effort. This means that faith itself is a gift and a response to God's prior grace, rather than an independent human work that compels God to save. While humans are responsible to believe and obey, their ability to do so, and the very provision of salvation, are rooted in God's merciful initiative. Paul consistently teaches that salvation is received by faith ([Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Righteousness by Faith Apart from Works")), but this faith is not a meritorious work; it is the means by which God's grace is apprehended.

**If God's mercy is sovereign, does that mean evangelism is pointless?**

Answer: Absolutely not. The sovereignty of God's mercy, as articulated in Romans 9:16, provides the very *foundation* and *hope* for evangelism. Because salvation is "of God that sheweth mercy," it means that God is actively working to bring people to Himself. Our role in evangelism is to be instruments in God's sovereign plan, proclaiming the good news that He has provided salvation through Christ. We preach, knowing that it is God who opens hearts and grants repentance ([Acts 16:14](/acts/16-14 "The Lord Opened Her Heart")), and that His mercy is extended to all who call upon Him ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Whoever Calls on the Name of the Lord Will Be Saved")). Evangelism is our obedient participation in God's unfolding redemptive purposes, not an attempt to force His hand.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 9:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "God that sheweth mercy" is most perfectly revealed in His sending of His Son to be the propitiation for our sins, not because humanity willed it or ran after Him, but because of His great love and rich mercy ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "God, Being Rich in Mercy")). Humanity, in its fallen state, was utterly incapable of willing its own salvation or earning it through any effort. It was precisely because "when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" ([Romans 5:6](/romans/5-6 "Christ Died for the Ungodly")) that God's mercy shone brightest. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God's sovereign mercy, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, not by human design but by divine appointment ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In Christ, we see that God's election is not arbitrary but purposed for our good and His glory, culminating in the redemption purchased by His blood, a redemption freely offered to all who believe, demonstrating that salvation is indeed "not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" through His Son ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")).

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

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Matthew 11:25

¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Matthew 11:26

Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 Peter 2:10

Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Ephesians 2:4

¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)