What does Romans 9:18 mean?

Explanation

Romans 9:18 speaks to the sovereignty of God in bestowing mercy and hardening hearts.

The verse emphasizes that it is God's prerogative to show compassion or to harden individuals according to His will.

The "mercy" here implies God's graciousness or forgiveness toward someone, which cannot be earned.

Conversely, when it says God "hardeneth," it suggests that God might also choose to allow a person's heart to become unresponsive to His call.

This is not implying that God directly causes someone to sin, but rather that, in His sovereign plan, He may allow their heart to remain in a state of rebellion.

This verse speaks to a balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, a theme often debated within Christian theology.

Historical Context

The Book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul around AD 56-58 to the church in Rome.

During this period, the early Christian community was struggling with the inclusion of Gentiles and the status of the Jewish people in God’s plan of salvation.

Paul is engaging with the question of why some of Israel, God's chosen people, did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

This chapter, and the verse in question, is part of Paul's exploration of God's sovereignty and His relationship with humanity, especially in the context of salvation history.

Theological Insights

Romans 9:18 has inspired various theological interpretations.

Calvinist theology sees this verse as a key support for the doctrine of unconditional election, suggesting that God's selection of individuals for salvation is not based on any merit or action on their part but is a product of His will alone.

In contrast, Arminian theology might argue that God's mercy and hardening are contingent upon an individual's response to God's grace.

Open Theists would highlight the relational aspect, suggesting that God's will to harden or show mercy is dynamic and influenced by human actions.

Meanwhile, some scholars suggest a corporate interpretation, where "mercy" and "hardening" apply to groups rather than individuals.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Romans 9:18 may be taken as an encouragement for believers to remain humble and reliant on God's grace.

It challenges individuals to acknowledge that one's status before God is not due to personal merit but to His mercy.

For those who feel their hearts are hardened, this verse provides an opportunity for introspection and perhaps a call towards repentance and openness to God's transforming power.

This passage can also serve as a reminder of the importance of faith and a warning against self-righteousness.

Cross-References

• Exodus 9:12 – "And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses."
• Romans 9:15 – "For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
• Ephesians 1:4-5 – "...According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world...

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"

• John 12:40 – "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them."

Language Study

The key terms in the original Koine Greek text of Romans 9:18 are "ἐλεέω" (eleéō) meaning "to have mercy" and "σκληρύνω" (sklērynō) meaning "to harden." "Ἐλεέω" comes from "ἔλεος" (éleos), the word for mercy or compassion. "Σκληρύνω" transmits the idea of making something hard or stiff, and in this context, it describes the act of making one's heart resistant to God's influence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In examining cultural and religious comparisons, one might look at the ancient Egyptian concept of the heart as evidenced in the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony, where the heart must not be hardened to ensure a positive judgment in the afterlife.

In Hinduism, the concept of karma implies that divine judgment is a response to one's actions rather than an arbitrary decision.

Meanwhile, in Greek mythology, the Fates decided humans' destinies, conceptually different from the monotheistic understanding of God's sovereign will in Judaism and Christianity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, notions of free will, consciousness, and behavioral psychology may be called upon to explore how individuals make choices and the factors that influence decision-making processes.

Neurotheological studies attempt to understand how spiritual experiences and beliefs are represented in the brain and might offer insights into the process of a person's heart (metaphorically) being hardened or softened.

Commentaries

Commentators offer diverse perspectives on Romans 9:18. John Stott, a well-known evangelical leader, acknowledges the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility but emphasizes trust in God's justice and mercy.

Scholars from a Reformed background like John Calvin underscore God's absolute sovereignty as expressed in this verse.

Conversely, C.

K.

Barrett, a critical scholar, points out the judicial nature of God’s hardening and its connection to the individuals' response to His revelation.

N.T.

Wright, an Anglican bishop and New Testament scholar, discusses the verse within the context of Paul's overall narrative about God's covenant faithfulness to Israel and the inclusion of the Gentiles.