What does Romans 9:15 mean?

Explanation

Romans 9:15 is a verse in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul refers to a statement God made to Moses in the Old Testament.

This quote is taken from Exodus 33:19, where God declares His sovereign right to show mercy and compassion to whomever He chooses.

The literal meaning is straightforward: God has the prerogative to grant mercy and compassion according to His own will, rather than based on human desire or effort.

Deeper meanings explore the nature of God's sovereignty, the concept of divine election, and the role of mercy in the relationship between God and humanity.

The verse underscores the ineffable and unmerited nature of God's grace.

Historical Context

Romans is a letter written by Paul to the Christians in Rome, and it is largely a theological exposition on themes such as salvation, faith, and righteousness.

When Romans 9 was penned, likely in the mid-first century A.D., the early Christian church was grappling with its identity and relation to Judaism.

This specific verse speaks to the Jewish readers of Paul’s time, who might have relied on their ethnic lineage and the law to claim God's favor.

Paul uses the quotation from Exodus to support his argument that God’s choices, including the choice of who to save, are not bound by human expectations or lineage but are solely at His discretion.

Theological Insights

The verse lends itself to various theological interpretations.

From a Calvinist perspective, this verse is often cited to support the doctrine of unconditional election, God's choice of certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world, unrelated to any merit of their own.

Arminianism, on the other hand, while acknowledging God's sovereignty, emphasizes God's foreknowledge and the concept of prevenient grace, suggesting that God's mercy responds to the possibility of faith in every person.

Universalists might argue that God’s mercy is ultimately extended to all, despite what appears to be exclusive language.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life as a humbling reminder that one does not earn God's mercy through works or status.

It can encourage believers to trust in God's sovereign plan and to embody humility, understanding that they are recipients of mercy themselves.

It can also lead to a more gracious attitude towards others, recognizing that all are dependent on God’s mercy.

Cross-References

• Exodus 33:19 - "And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy."
• Ephesians 1:4-5 - "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
• Jonah 4:2 - "And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, two key phrases are used: "ἐλεήσω ὃν ἂν ἐλεήσω" (eleēsō hon an eleēsō) and "οἰκτειρήσω ὃν ἂν οἰκτειρήσω" (oikteirēsō hon an oikteirēsō).

The verb "ἐλεέω" (eleēō) means "to have mercy" or "to show favor," and "οἰκτείρω" (oikteirō) conveys a sense of compassion or pity.

The structure of the original phrase emphasizes the will (ἂν, an) of the one showing mercy and compassion, highlighting God’s autonomous decision-making.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, deities were seen as having the power to bestow favor or withhold it according to their own whims or in response to human actions. In Greco-Roman myths, gods often showed mercy based on personal relationships or offerings.

In contrast, the biblical portrayal emphasizes God's freedom from human manipulation, asserting that His mercy is an expression of His own nature and will.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly engage with scientific themes, as it pertains to theological concepts of mercy and divine prerogative.

However, scientific studies of altruism and moral behavior can intersect with discussions of mercy and compassion, as these are traits often encouraged by religious teachings and observed across cultures.

Commentaries

Commentators offer differing perspectives on this verse.

For instance, John Calvin sees it as clear evidence of the doctrine of predestination, while Jacob Arminius interprets it as an expression of God’s justice balanced with His foreknowledge.

Contemporary scholars like N.T.

Wright also touch on this verse, usually discussing it in relation to Paul's broader argument in Romans about God’s righteousness and the faith of Israel.

Wright emphasizes that Paul is using the quote from Exodus to explain that God’s covenant people are defined not by ethnicity, but by His merciful call.