Romans 9:6-29
9:6 a are truly members of God’s people (literally are Israel): “Israel” can refer to the people of Israel in a biological sense, i.e., everyone descended from Jacob. But in the latter part of the Old Testament and in Judaism, the idea of a “righteous remnant” within Israel developed (see Isa 11:10-16 b). On at least one occasion in the New Testament, Israel refers to everyone, Jew and Gentile, who belongs to God in a spiritual sense (Gal 6:16 c). Paul is stating that there is now an “Israel within Israel,” a community consisting of both Jews and Gentiles who truly believe (cp. Rom 11:16-17 d; Gal 6:16 e).9:7 f This quotation is from Gen 21:12 g, which God spoke to Abraham when he was reluctant to follow Sarah’s advice to banish his son Ishmael, who was born to the slave woman Hagar. God assured Abraham that Sarah’s child, Isaac, was the son through whom God’s promises would be fulfilled.
Summary for Rom 9:10-11: 9:10-11 h she gave birth to twins: No human circumstances differentiated Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. Not only were they born to the same mother, but they were also conceived at the same time. Instead, Paul argues, the difference between them was of God’s choosing.
9:12 i “Your older son will serve your younger son”: God spoke these words to Rebekah before the twins were born (Gen 25:23 j). As the older of the twins, Esau was Isaac’s natural heir. But Esau sold his birthright to Jacob and ceded his position to his brother in fulfillment of God’s promise.
9:13 k “I loved Jacob, but I rejected (literally hated) Esau”: Paul quotes Mal 1:2-3 l, where Jacob, whose other name is Israel (Gen 32:28 m), stands for the nation of Israel, and Esau stands for Edom. Here, Paul is referring to them as individuals. Just as love can sometimes express a choice, so hate can express rejection. The story of Jacob and Esau illustrates how the sovereign God chooses his own people.
Summary for Rom 9:14-16: 9:14-16 n God’s choice is not unfair because he owes nothing to his sinful creatures (see study note on 4:4-5).
9:15 o This quotation from Exod 33:19 p focuses on God’s nature: God is free from obligation or constraint in bestowing mercy on people.
9:17 q God told Pharaoh: At God’s direction, Moses had asked Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave Egypt for their own land (Exod 9:16 r). When Pharaoh stubbornly refused, God displayed miracle after miracle to convince Israel, Pharaoh, and the Egyptians of God’s power and authority (see Exod 6:7 s; 7:5 t; 9:14-16 u; 14:31 v).
9:18 w he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen: Pharaoh refused to let Israel go because his heart was hardened. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exod 9:12 x), and Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Exod 8:15 y).
Summary for Rom 9:20-21: 9:20-21 z See Isa 29:16 aa; 45:9-10 ab.
Summary for Rom 9:24-26: 9:24-26 ac God was free to select people from the Jews who would have a true spiritual relationship with him; similarly, he was also free to choose some from the Gentiles to be saved as well. Paul uses the prophecy of Hosea to reinforce his point. Hosea predicted that God would renew his mercy to the ten northern tribes that had rebelled against God and were under his judgment. Paul saw a principle that applies to Gentiles as well.
• Those who were not my people: See study note on 10:19.
Summary for Rom 9:27-28: 9:27-28 ad only a remnant will be saved: So many Israelites had turned from God that the Old Testament prophets spoke of a true spiritual Israel within the larger nation of Israel (see Isa 11:10-16 ae). The remnant would receive salvation, while the rest of the Israelites would suffer condemnation.
9:29 af The destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19 ag) is a poignant illustration of the reality and severity of God’s judgment.
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