Romans 9:15
Verse
Context
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy, etc. - The words of God to Moses, Exo 33:19, show that God has a right to dispense his blessings as he pleases; for, after he had declared that he would spare the Jews of old, and continue them in the relation of his peculiar people, when they had deserved to have been cut off for their idolatry, he said: I will make all my goodness pass before thee; and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy; and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. As if he had said: I will make such a display of my perfections as shall convince you that my nature is kind and beneficent; but know, that I am a debtor to none of my creatures. My benefits and blessings are merely from my own good will: nor can any people, much less a rebellious people, challenge them as their due in justice or equity. And therefore I now spare the Jews; not because either you, who intercede for them or they themselves have any claim upon my favor, but of my own free and sovereign grace I choose to show them mercy and compassion. I will give my salvation in my own way and on my own terms. He that believeth on my Son Jesus shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be damned. This is God's ultimate design; this purpose he will never change; and this he has fully declared in the everlasting Gospel. This is the grand Decree of reprobation and election.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For he saith to Moses-- (Exo 33:19). I will have mercy on whom I will have--"on whom I have" mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have--"on whom I have" compassion--"There can be no unrighteousness in God's choosing whom He will, for to Moses He expressly claims the right to do so." Yet it is worthy of notice that this is expressed in the positive rather than the negative form: not, "I will have mercy on none but whom I will"; but, "I will have mercy on whomsoever I will."
John Gill Bible Commentary
So then it is not of him that willeth,.... This is not a consequence drawn by an adversary, showing that if this be the case, it signifies nothing for men to will or do, they may even sit still and do nothing, but depend on the mercy of God; but this is a conclusion of the apostle's from the above cited testimony, inferring from thence, that election, which is what he is discoursing of, is "not of him that willeth", nor of him that runneth: that is, is not owing to the will or works of men, to the desires, inclinations, and affections of their minds, or to the actions of their lives; these are not the motives, conditions, or causes of this act: but of God that sheweth mercy; in a free sovereign way and manner, which he is not obliged to by anything the creature wills or works; he is at full liberty, notwithstanding whatever they will or do, to give his grace and mercy, when, where, and to whom he pleases; and therefore to give it to some, and deny it to others, can never be accounted an act of injustice, since he is not bound to give it to any. Some make the it to be the blessing of Isaac, which was not of the will of any of the parties concerned; not of Isaac who willed it to Esau; nor of Esau who willed it to himself, but had it not; nor of the will of the persons who had their desires, not of the will of Rebecca, who was desirous of it for her son Jacob, nor of the will of Jacob, who desired it for himself, though he had it; nor of either of them that ran, not of Esau, who made haste to hunt for, and prepare venison for his father, nor of Jacob, who ran to the flock, for two kids of the goats; but of God that showed mercy to him, who, according to his sovereign will and pleasure, had signified before to Rebecca, that "the elder should serve the younger", Gen 25:23, as the apostle had mentioned this so lately, it might still be in his thoughts, and he may allude to it; but election being what he is discoursing of in the context, that is the "it" here designed; and what is true of that, is true of salvation in all its parts, and therefore some understand it in the large sense of salvation; though by others so qualified and limited, as to spoil the glory of the text: some saying that the sense is, it is not of him that willeth and runneth wrong, but of the grace and mercy of God; but as no man would ever assert, that salvation is of him that wills and runs wrong, so the apostle had no occasion to deny it: others say, that it is not only of him that wills, and only of him that runs, but also of God that shows mercy; making man's will and works joint causes with the mercy of God in man's salvation; and besides, as Austin (k) long ago observes, according to this sense, the words might as well be read, it is not only of God that shows mercy, but of him that willeth, and of him that runneth, which no Christian would dare to say: the true sense is, that as election, which is the leading step to salvation, is not owing at all to the will of men, but to the good pleasure and will of God; and not at all to the works of men, that being done before them, and they being the fruits and effects of that, but to the free love, grace, and good will of God; so salvation in all its parts and branches, as redemption, justification, regeneration, calling, and conversion, faith, repentance, hope, love, &c. and eternal life, is not to be ascribed at all to the will of men, nor at all to the works of men, but entirely and alone to the love, grace, and mercy of God through Christ. (k) Enchiridion, c. 32.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
9:15 This quotation from Exod 33:19 focuses on God’s nature: God is free from obligation or constraint in bestowing mercy on people.
Romans 9:15
God’s Sovereign Choice
14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! 15For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Potter and the Clay
By J. Vernon McGee4.2K41:37JER 18:1JON 3:1MRK 10:17JHN 6:67ROM 9:15EPH 2:1HEB 3:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the importance of repentance. He uses the analogy of a potter and clay to illustrate how God has the authority and ability to shape individuals and nations. The preacher warns against turning away from God and hardening one's heart, as it leads to despair and separation from God. He emphasizes that it is only through casting oneself upon God's mercy and yielding to the Holy Spirit that one can be transformed and saved.
Addressing the Curse of Poverty - Part 1
By Jackie Pullinger2.7K1:06:11PovertyEXO 24:17EXO 33:13EXO 33:19EXO 34:6MAT 6:33ROM 9:151JN 4:8In this sermon, the speaker discusses the kindness of God and its impact on our lives. He refers to the story of Moses in Exodus 24, where Moses enters into a fiery encounter with God and experiences intimacy with Him. The speaker emphasizes that God has chosen to work His purpose through mankind and invites us to participate in His plans. He highlights three battles we face in life: knowing the Savior, surrendering control of our lives to God, and determining our future purpose. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that our purpose is to touch people with the kindness and love of God.
Paul's Gospel
By Rolfe Barnard1.9K57:36PSA 9:17ROM 9:15ROM 12:21CO 2:1COL 3:171PE 2:111PE 4:2In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the central belief of Christianity that Jesus is Lord. He explains that Jesus' Lordship is not just a theory, but a reality that was established through his sacrificial death on the cross. The preacher highlights that the gospel is the good news of this costly action by God on behalf of humanity. He also raises concerns about the current state of the gospel, questioning why it has become so popular without resulting in true transformation and conformity to the image of Christ.
Dvd 37 - the Nations in the Purposes of God
By Art Katz1.6K1:21:43ISA 9:6JOL 2:28MAL 4:2ROM 9:15EPH 6:12This sermon delves into deep spiritual warfare, emphasizing the importance of understanding the invisible realm and the ultimate combat we face against rulers and powers of darkness. It highlights the significance of the church in identifying and defeating these spiritual forces, the mercy of God towards Israel, and the prophetic role of the church in the last days. The speaker challenges the congregation to wrestle in prayer and spiritual warfare, to extend mercy to Jews fleeing persecution, and to embrace God as the God of Israel. The sermon calls for a deeper commitment to God's purposes and a willingness to engage in the spiritual battles of the end times.
God's Sovereignty & God's Glory
By Rolfe Barnard1.2K55:07EXO 33:18MAT 6:33JHN 6:44JHN 14:6ACT 4:12ROM 9:15EPH 1:4In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for a revival in the church. He believes that many Christians today are caught up in rigid doctrines and institutional Christianity, lacking the dynamic and life-giving presence of Christ. The preacher calls for a cry to God, asking Him to reveal His glory to this generation. He also highlights the importance of recognizing that it is God who does the preaching and uses our mouths as vessels. The sermon emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of God's grace and mercy, which is demonstrated through His Son Jesus Christ.
Why Would God Have Mercy on Us
By Ralph Sexton Sr.1.1K50:42God's MercyUnity in the Church2CH 7:14PSA 51:10ISA 55:6LAM 3:22MAT 5:14ACT 2:1ROM 9:15EPH 2:4JAS 5:161PE 3:12Ralph Sexton Sr. emphasizes the profound mercy and grace of God, questioning why God chooses to show compassion to humanity despite our unworthiness. He highlights the importance of unity among believers, asserting that when God's people come together in prayer and humility, divine intervention occurs, leading to revival. Sexton reflects on historical revivals, illustrating how God has moved in the past and can do so again if His people earnestly seek Him. He challenges the congregation to consider their role in this divine plan and to remain faithful in prayer, urging them to be vessels for God's mercy in a world that desperately needs it.
Fren-02 Donn Naissanceau-Dessus (Born From Above)
By Art Katz9501:08:44New BirthROM 1:16ROM 9:15ROM 11:11In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his experience as a young boy working for a plumber and relates it to the concept of spiritual stamina. He shares a story of pushing a bathtub up the stairs and how one of the experienced men told him to put his gut into it, emphasizing the importance of giving one's all. The speaker then draws a parallel between the exertion of childbirth and the rebirth of Israel as a nation. He highlights the significance of Israel's restoration and how it is a testimony of God's grace and mercy to all nations. The speaker concludes by expressing his belief that the time has come for God to favor Zion and bring forth this mystery in the sight of all nations.
Four Things This Generation Must Hear
By Rolfe Barnard95011:49MessagePSA 47:8MAT 6:10ACT 2:36ROM 9:15ROM 14:111CO 1:211CO 15:3In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for churches to focus on the mission and message of God rather than getting caught up in proving their own views. He highlights the urgency of reaching out to those who are dying and going to hell, rather than getting caught up in doctrinal debates. The preacher calls for a revival of old-fashioned preaching that confronts people with the foundational truths of the gospel, including the sovereignty of God and the sinfulness of man. He emphasizes the importance of preaching the gospel as the only way to reach and save people.
Holl-06 De Toekomstige Bekering Van Israël (Israel's Coming Calamity)
By Art Katz9101:05:10HollandPRO 27:17MAT 6:33MAT 16:24MAT 17:14MAT 25:40ROM 9:15ROM 11:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the significance of the message being delivered to a nation that has shown heroic support for the Jewish people. The speaker prays for the word to be received and for the nation to be prepared for an upcoming event. They acknowledge the suffering and death that must precede glory and urge the church to understand and prepare for the necessary destiny of Israel. The speaker reflects on their own personal journey and the failures they experienced despite their success. They also discuss the state of Israel and its challenges, highlighting the misuse of funds by former political figures.
Revival
By Brian Brodersen64638:59PSA 85:6EZK 39:16JOL 2:28MAT 6:33ROM 9:151TI 4:1In this sermon, the speaker discusses the current state of society and the possibility of revival in the church and a spiritual awakening in the nation. They mention recent events such as the Supreme Court's decision on child pornography and the attacks on the public display of the 10 Commandments. The speaker reflects on the history of America and how bad it has been in the past, but also how God has shown mercy and brought revival in difficult times. They emphasize that God delights in showing mercy and that as believers, we should hope and anticipate for revival.
Evening Thoughts - March
By Octavius Winslow0Sovereignty Of GodGrace and ElectionROM 9:15Octavius Winslow emphasizes the sovereignty and grace of God in his sermon 'Evening Thoughts - March', illustrating how God's mercy is bestowed according to His divine will, independent of human merit. He encourages believers to recognize their election and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, which leads to sanctification and a deeper understanding of God's love. Winslow highlights the importance of humility and reliance on God's grace, urging Christians to embrace their identity as chosen vessels of His mercy. He reassures the faithful that their struggles and afflictions are shared by Christ, who sympathizes with their suffering and guides them through life's trials.
Prayer - 1 Peter 1:3-5, Part 2
By A.W. Pink0God's MercyRegenerationNEH 9:27PSA 86:5PSA 86:13LUK 1:78ROM 8:32ROM 9:15EPH 1:3TIT 3:4HEB 6:191PE 1:3A.W. Pink emphasizes the abundant mercy of God as the foundation of our regeneration and lively hope in Christ, highlighting that this mercy is both general and special. He explains that God's mercy is not only a characteristic of His nature but is also demonstrated through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which assures believers of their new birth and eternal life. Pink urges believers to recognize the transformative power of this mercy, which leads to a living hope that is active and purifying in their lives. He contrasts the genuine hope of the regenerate with the false hopes of the unregenerate, underscoring that true hope is rooted in the promises of God and the work of Christ. Ultimately, he calls for a heartfelt acknowledgment of God's mercy, which is essential for spiritual life and growth.
Conversion
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne0Spiritual WarfareConversionGEN 3:15PRO 16:4ISA 43:1ZEC 3:1MAT 11:28LUK 15:10JHN 3:18ROM 9:151JN 2:1REV 12:10Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the profound significance of conversion, portraying it as the most remarkable event in the world that draws the attention of angels and delights the heart of God. He explains that while the world may dismiss conversion as a mere whim, it represents a spiritual victory over Satan, who resists every soul seeking salvation. M'Cheyne highlights that Christ stands as the advocate for those He saves, countering Satan's accusations with the truth of God's election and the transformative power of being plucked from the fire. He urges the congregation to recognize the danger of remaining unconverted and to seek Christ's mercy, as He is ready to save even the vilest of sinners. The sermon concludes with a call to those still in the fire to cry out for deliverance.
Covenant Mercy
By Thomas Bradbury0PSA 51:1PSA 62:12PSA 89:1PSA 101:1JER 31:20LAM 3:22ROM 9:15ROM 12:1HEB 8:12Thomas Bradbury preaches on the profound subject of God's mercy, emphasizing that it is not by human will or effort but by God's sovereign choice to show mercy and compassion. He delves into the richness of God's mercy as revealed throughout the Bible, highlighting how mercy is experienced through the Father's will, the Savior's grace, and the Spirit's revelation. Bradbury reflects on the theme of mercy in the book of Romans, showcasing how mercy is displayed in various forms to meet the needs of God's chosen people in different life situations. He expounds on the sovereignty of God's mercy, explaining that it is a divine attribute that is multitudinous, tender, and sure, bestowed upon those whom God has prepared for glory.
John the Baptist and the Brood of Vipers
By John Piper0LUK 3:1LUK 3:7ROM 9:15John Piper preaches on the significance of John the Baptist's ministry as a prophet sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus, emphasizing the call to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He highlights the importance of understanding true repentance as a turning away from reliance on human distinctions or efforts and turning towards God's free mercy for salvation. Piper explains how John's message challenges the Jews to not trust in their Jewishness for salvation but to bear fruits of repentance, emphasizing that God's mercy is available to all who repent, regardless of ethnicity.
God the Fountain of Salvation for All His Elect
By Thomas Goodwin0JER 31:3ROM 9:15ROM 11:32EPH 2:41JN 4:8Thomas Goodwin preaches about the richness of God's mercy and the great love He has for us, even when we were dead in sins. Goodwin emphasizes that God's love and mercy are the foundation of our salvation, working together in harmony to bring us to Him. He highlights that God's love is everlasting, choosing and loving us as individuals, not based on our works or faith. Goodwin also explains how God's love prevails over all His attributes, subjecting them to His love, which is the prevailing attribute that sways all others.
True Faith-Moral Inability
By John Newton0PSA 110:3JHN 3:14JHN 6:44ROM 5:1ROM 9:15GAL 5:19EPH 2:8PHP 3:7HEB 11:1John Newton preaches about the importance of faith, grace, and the Holy Spirit in the process of salvation, emphasizing the need for a deep spiritual conviction of sin and a total reliance on Jesus for redemption. He discusses the distinction between faith and rational assent, highlighting that true faith is a gift from God and is always efficacious, leading to a transformed life and a personal relationship with Christ. Newton shares a powerful testimony of a clergyman who experienced a radical change in his views and preaching when he encountered the unsearchable mysteries of Christ's love and grace. He addresses the questions of predestination, election, and the role of God's providence in salvation, underscoring the sovereignty of God and the necessity of His invincible grace in the conversion of sinners.
Discriminating Grace
By Gardiner Spring0JHN 6:44ROM 8:30ROM 9:151CO 4:7EPH 2:8Gardiner Spring preaches about the profound truth of God's discriminating grace, emphasizing the eternal difference between the righteous and the wicked, which is solely attributed to God's sovereign will and mercy. He delves into the theological and practical implications of this truth, highlighting the necessity of acknowledging our absolute dependence on God's grace for salvation. Spring underscores the importance of recognizing God's role in making individuals differ in character and state, ultimately pointing to the divine sovereignty that governs all aspects of life and eternity.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy, etc. - The words of God to Moses, Exo 33:19, show that God has a right to dispense his blessings as he pleases; for, after he had declared that he would spare the Jews of old, and continue them in the relation of his peculiar people, when they had deserved to have been cut off for their idolatry, he said: I will make all my goodness pass before thee; and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy; and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. As if he had said: I will make such a display of my perfections as shall convince you that my nature is kind and beneficent; but know, that I am a debtor to none of my creatures. My benefits and blessings are merely from my own good will: nor can any people, much less a rebellious people, challenge them as their due in justice or equity. And therefore I now spare the Jews; not because either you, who intercede for them or they themselves have any claim upon my favor, but of my own free and sovereign grace I choose to show them mercy and compassion. I will give my salvation in my own way and on my own terms. He that believeth on my Son Jesus shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be damned. This is God's ultimate design; this purpose he will never change; and this he has fully declared in the everlasting Gospel. This is the grand Decree of reprobation and election.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For he saith to Moses-- (Exo 33:19). I will have mercy on whom I will have--"on whom I have" mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have--"on whom I have" compassion--"There can be no unrighteousness in God's choosing whom He will, for to Moses He expressly claims the right to do so." Yet it is worthy of notice that this is expressed in the positive rather than the negative form: not, "I will have mercy on none but whom I will"; but, "I will have mercy on whomsoever I will."
John Gill Bible Commentary
So then it is not of him that willeth,.... This is not a consequence drawn by an adversary, showing that if this be the case, it signifies nothing for men to will or do, they may even sit still and do nothing, but depend on the mercy of God; but this is a conclusion of the apostle's from the above cited testimony, inferring from thence, that election, which is what he is discoursing of, is "not of him that willeth", nor of him that runneth: that is, is not owing to the will or works of men, to the desires, inclinations, and affections of their minds, or to the actions of their lives; these are not the motives, conditions, or causes of this act: but of God that sheweth mercy; in a free sovereign way and manner, which he is not obliged to by anything the creature wills or works; he is at full liberty, notwithstanding whatever they will or do, to give his grace and mercy, when, where, and to whom he pleases; and therefore to give it to some, and deny it to others, can never be accounted an act of injustice, since he is not bound to give it to any. Some make the it to be the blessing of Isaac, which was not of the will of any of the parties concerned; not of Isaac who willed it to Esau; nor of Esau who willed it to himself, but had it not; nor of the will of the persons who had their desires, not of the will of Rebecca, who was desirous of it for her son Jacob, nor of the will of Jacob, who desired it for himself, though he had it; nor of either of them that ran, not of Esau, who made haste to hunt for, and prepare venison for his father, nor of Jacob, who ran to the flock, for two kids of the goats; but of God that showed mercy to him, who, according to his sovereign will and pleasure, had signified before to Rebecca, that "the elder should serve the younger", Gen 25:23, as the apostle had mentioned this so lately, it might still be in his thoughts, and he may allude to it; but election being what he is discoursing of in the context, that is the "it" here designed; and what is true of that, is true of salvation in all its parts, and therefore some understand it in the large sense of salvation; though by others so qualified and limited, as to spoil the glory of the text: some saying that the sense is, it is not of him that willeth and runneth wrong, but of the grace and mercy of God; but as no man would ever assert, that salvation is of him that wills and runs wrong, so the apostle had no occasion to deny it: others say, that it is not only of him that wills, and only of him that runs, but also of God that shows mercy; making man's will and works joint causes with the mercy of God in man's salvation; and besides, as Austin (k) long ago observes, according to this sense, the words might as well be read, it is not only of God that shows mercy, but of him that willeth, and of him that runneth, which no Christian would dare to say: the true sense is, that as election, which is the leading step to salvation, is not owing at all to the will of men, but to the good pleasure and will of God; and not at all to the works of men, that being done before them, and they being the fruits and effects of that, but to the free love, grace, and good will of God; so salvation in all its parts and branches, as redemption, justification, regeneration, calling, and conversion, faith, repentance, hope, love, &c. and eternal life, is not to be ascribed at all to the will of men, nor at all to the works of men, but entirely and alone to the love, grace, and mercy of God through Christ. (k) Enchiridion, c. 32.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
9:15 This quotation from Exod 33:19 focuses on God’s nature: God is free from obligation or constraint in bestowing mercy on people.