Romans 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:

What if {G1487}{G1161} God {G2316}, willing {G2309} to shew {G1731} his wrath {G3709}, and {G2532} to make {G1107} his {G846} power {G1415} known {G1107}, endured {G5342} with {G1722} much {G4183} longsuffering {G3115} the vessels {G4632} of wrath {G3709} fitted {G2675} to {G1519} destruction {G684}:

Now what if God, even though he was quite willing to demonstrate his anger and make known his power, patiently put up with people who deserved punishment and were ripe for destruction?

What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction?

What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction:

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 9:22 (KJV)

Romans 9:22 is a profound verse within Paul's intricate discussion of God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy, particularly concerning Israel's rejection of Christ. It addresses the challenging question of why God permits evil and endures those who oppose Him, while still demonstrating His attributes.

Context

This verse comes in the midst of Paul's argument in Romans 9, where he grapples with the apparent failure of God's promises to Israel, given their widespread unbelief. Paul asserts God's absolute sovereignty in choosing whom He will show mercy to (Romans 9:15) and hardening whom He wills, using the example of Pharaoh. Verse 22 serves as a rhetorical question ("What if God...") meant to justify God's actions in enduring those destined for destruction, setting the stage for the revelation of His glory upon "vessels of mercy" in the following verse (Romans 9:23).

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereignty and Purpose: The verse highlights God's ultimate authority and His intentionality in revealing His character. He is "willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known." This isn't arbitrary but serves a divine purpose.
  • Divine Longsuffering: A crucial aspect is God's "much longsuffering." Despite the nature of the "vessels of wrath," God endures them with immense patience. This reflects God's forbearance, giving opportunity for repentance, though not always taken (2 Peter 3:9).
  • "Vessels of Wrath Fitted to Destruction": These are individuals who, through their persistent sin and rejection of God, are in a state prepared for judgment. The passive voice of "fitted" (Greek: katērtismena) suggests they *were prepared* or *made ready* for destruction. This preparation can be understood as either God actively preparing them for judgment, or their own sin leading them to that state, or God permitting them to reach that state. The emphasis here is on God's patience *with* them in this state.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Longsuffering" (Greek: makrothymia): This term denotes patience, endurance, and slowness to anger. It emphasizes God's immense tolerance and self-restraint even in the face of rebellion and unrighteousness. It is a profound demonstration of His character.
  • "Fitted to destruction" (Greek: katērtismena eis apōleian): The word katērtismena is a perfect passive participle, meaning "having been made ready," "prepared," or "brought to a state of readiness." The passive voice is significant as it does not explicitly state *who* fitted them. The context suggests these "vessels" are those whose persistent rebellion and rejection of God have brought them to a condition ripe for divine judgment, and God, in His patience, has endured them in that state.

Practical Application

Romans 9:22 encourages believers to contemplate the depth of God's patience and longsuffering. It reminds us that even when judgment is inevitable for those who reject Him, God extends grace and time. This verse underscores God's sovereignty and His right to act according to His will, revealing both His wrath against sin and His power in His ultimate plan. It prompts us to humble ourselves before God's majesty and to be grateful for the mercy we have received, as contrasted with the "vessels of wrath."

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 16:4

    ¶ The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

  • Jude 1:4

    For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Romans 9:21

    Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

  • 1 Peter 2:8

    And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

  • 2 Timothy 2:20

    But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

  • Exodus 9:16

    And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16

    Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.