Romans: Theology for Everybody (6-11)ናሙና

Question #3: Is God unfair to save some people and not others (Romans 9:19-29)?

The final question that Paul seeks to answer is, if God chooses to save some people and not others, is he unfair for punishing people who do his will by not believing? Paul then quotes a number of Old Testament verses to show that God is not unfair. 

First, Paul says that we must be careful not to stand in the place of Pharaoh and judge God, because that is, in essence, to declare ourselves god. Such folly is akin to a potter making various things out of one lump of clay, and the finished products complaining that they do not like what they have been made to accomplish. Paul is saying that rather than complaining that God is unjust for not saving everyone, we should rejoice that God is gracious and merciful in saving anyone. If you are a Christian, when you see unrepentant, lost sinners destined for hell, you should pursue them with the gospel and thank God that He changed your heart, because apart from His saving you, your condition would be equally pathetic. 

As an aside, there is a debate among Bible teachers over whether this metaphor of potter and clay refers to individuals or to nations. The Old Testament uses the analogy in more than one place to refer to both individuals and nations (1). 

Second, Paul quotes Hosea 1:10 and 2:23 and to show that God, who is rich in mercy, used election to save some Gentiles who were not pursuing God in any way; apart from God’s predestination and pursuit they were without any hope. In this we see the love and mercy of God greatly displayed to ill-deserving sinners.  

Third, Paul quotes Isaiah 10:22–23 to show that God had always promised only some of the Jews would be saved. Therefore, God had not failed by saving only some Jewish people; rather, his Word was perfectly implemented in history. 

Fourth, Paul closes by quoting Isaiah 1:9 to show that, without God’s mercy and election, no one would be saved from His wrath. Practically, this means that everyone is a sinner who deserves wrath and hell, and anyone who is saved has received an ill-deserved gift from a loving God who is rich in mercy. Paul concludes his answer to this question by saying exactly that, illustrating the beauty of God’s grace to pursue some people who have not pursued Him when He has no obligation to do so, and they would often rather that He simply left them alone to do as they please. 

Reflection:

1. Look up the places where the Bible uses the analogy of the potter and the clay that Paul uses (Isa. 29:16; 45:9–11; Jer. 18:1–6). 

2. Who can you think of, in addition to Paul, that was not seeking God when God found them? 

3. Since God can change hearts, who can you be praying for as their heart right now is not for God? 

Notes:

Isa. 29:16; 45:9–11; Jer. 18:1–6