Romans 9

Koinonia Ministries

Paul is deeply sorrowed by the unbelief of his Jewish brothers who had received such great revelation from God. This calls into question if God’s promises will finally be true for national Israel since they have not believed the Gospel. Paul, in turn, argues that salvation was never about race, but grace (Wright). If it is not about race nor any intrinsic human factor, then it can only be based on God’s sovereign choice. Appealing to Scripture first, Paul shows that God has the right to dispense mercy to salvation and hardening to those already in damnation as He sees fit. While Paul does not answer directly how humans are still morally culpable, Paul appeals to God’s being Creator as another reason why He can create for mercy or destruction. God has designed it such that his temporary withholding of destruction on the ungodly makes his wrath, power, and grace shine more brightly in contrast. These vessels of mercy—individuals predestined to salvation, called from Jew and Gentile nations—will together become His remnant, the Church.