Romans 9: “God’s Sovereign Choice and the Mystery of Israel”
1. Paul’s Sorrow for Israel
“I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” (Rom 9:2–3)
Paul begins not with abstraction but heartbreak.
His love for Israel mirrors Christ’s love for humanity: he would accept damnation himself if only his people might be saved.
St John Chrysostom:
“He would rather perish, if it were possible, that they might live; such is the soul of one on fire with charity.”
(Homilies on Romans XVI)
This opening prevents the next sections being read coldly: theology must always be soaked in love.
2. “They Are Israelites…”
“They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the worship, and the promises.” (v. 4)
Paul lists Israel’s privileges — adoption as God’s people, the divine presence (“glory”), the covenants (with Abraham, Moses, David), the Law, the liturgy, and the promises of the Messiah.
St Bede:
“He enumerates their honours that he may show their fall is not by lack of favour but by misuse of it.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.36)
3. “From Their Race Is the Christ”
“…from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed for ever.” (v. 5)
This verse is one of the clearest affirmations of Christ’s divinity in Scripture.
He is both according to the flesh (human) and God over all (divine).
The two natures — human and divine — are united in one Person.
St Ambrose comments:
“He who was of Israel according to the flesh is God over all according to His nature; one Christ, true God and true man.”
(On the Faith III.10)
4. “Not All Who Are Descended from Israel Belong to Israel”
“For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.” (v. 6)
Here begins the mystery of election — God’s free choice.
Physical descent does not automatically mean spiritual belonging.
The true Israel consists of those who share Abraham’s faith.
St Augustine explains:
“In one and the same Israel there is Israel according to the flesh and Israel according to the Spirit.”
(On the Spirit and the Letter 34)
Explanation: What Is “Election”?
In theology, election means God’s free choice to call and bless certain persons or peoples for His purpose.
It does not mean arbitrary favouritism, but divine initiative in mercy.
Grace is always gift, never entitlement.
5. “Through Isaac Shall Your Descendants Be Named”
“This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise.” (vv. 7–8)
God’s promise to Abraham came through Isaac, not Ishmael — showing that divine blessing follows faith, not merely birth.
Salvation is supernatural, not genetic.
St Bede:
“The promise is the womb of faith, from which the true sons of Abraham are born.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.36)
6. “Jacob I Loved, but Esau I Hated”
“Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue… ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” (vv. 11–13)
This text has troubled many.
It does not mean God literally hated Esau.
In Hebrew idiom, “love” and “hate” often mean choose and not choose.
God’s plan unfolded through Jacob’s line, not because of merit, but to show that salvation depends on grace.
St Augustine:
“He loved one more because He willed to make him the ancestor of Christ; He hated the other less, for He denied him not natural blessings but the mystery of grace.”
(Enchiridion 98)
Explanation: “Predestination”
Predestination means that God eternally knows and wills to bring certain people to salvation through Christ.
The Church teaches this never removes human freedom.
God’s foreknowledge doesn’t force our choices; it embraces them.
As St Thomas Aquinas said: “God moves the will without violating it.”
(Summa Theologiae I.22.4)
7. “Is There Injustice on God’s Part?”
“By no means! For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.’” (v. 15)
Paul anticipates the human objection: if God chooses freely, is that fair?
His answer: God owes mercy to no one — therefore, giving it to some is pure generosity, not injustice.
St Ambrose explains:
“Justice gives each his due; mercy gives what none deserves.”
(On the Faith III.6)
8. “It Depends Not on Human Will or Exertion, but on God’s Mercy”
“So then it depends not on man’s will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.” (v. 16)
Grace precedes every human effort.
We cannot earn salvation, but we can freely cooperate once grace is given.
St Augustine:
“He who first gives the power to will, crowns what He Himself has wrought.”
(On Grace and Free Will 17)
9. “For the Scripture Says to Pharaoh”
“I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show My power in you.” (v. 17)
Pharaoh’s hardness reveals the contrast between divine patience and human rebellion.
God “hardens” by permitting the sinner to persist in his chosen pride — not by forcing evil upon him.
St John Chrysostom clarifies:
“God hardens by enduring those who harden themselves; His patience gives space for their obstinacy.”
(Homilies on Romans XVI)
Explanation: “Hardening of Heart”
In Scripture, to “harden” means to grow stubborn against grace.
When said of God, it’s a metaphor for His allowing sinners the freedom to resist, thereby revealing both justice and mercy.
10. “Who Are You, O Man, to Answer Back to God?”
“Will what is moulded say to its moulder, ‘Why have you made me thus?’” (v. 20)
Paul quotes Isaiah 45:9.
He doesn’t silence reason but reminds us that divine wisdom exceeds human measure.
St Bede:
“He rebukes not inquiry but insolence; faith seeks to understand, pride demands to judge.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.36)
11. “Vessels of Wrath and Vessels of Mercy”
“Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honourable use and another for dishonourable use?” (v. 21)
The imagery teaches sovereignty, not fatalism.
All are clay — fallen humanity — yet God shapes some for mercy, permitting others to persist in self-chosen rebellion.
St Augustine:
“The potter’s freedom does not destroy the clay’s nature; He makes from one mass both kinds, not by creating evil but by leaving evil unhealed.”
(On the Spirit and the Letter 48)
Explanation: “Vessels of Wrath” and “Vessels of Mercy”
“Wrath” here means justice, not emotional anger.
“Vessels of wrath” are those who resist grace and so remain under judgment.
“Vessels of mercy” are those transformed by grace to display divine compassion.
Both reveal God’s holiness.
12. “Riches of His Glory for Vessels of Mercy”
“In order to make known the riches of His glory for the vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory.” (v. 23)
God’s ultimate purpose is not destruction but revelation — to show the splendour of mercy.
Even the history of sin serves grace’s display.
St Ambrose:
“He permits evil that He may manifest goodness; the darkness makes the light more desirable.”
(On the Faith III.7)
13. “Those Who Were Not My People I Will Call My People”
“As indeed He says in Hosea: ‘Those who were not my people I will call my people.’” (v. 25)
Paul shows that God always intended to include the Gentiles.
The prophecy of Hosea originally spoke of Israel’s restoration, but finds a wider fulfilment in the Church.
St Bede:
“He who called Israel from idolatry now calls the nations from ignorance; the same mercy enlarges the family.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.36)
14. “Only a Remnant of Them Shall Be Saved”
“Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them shall be saved.” (v. 27)
The word remnant means a faithful minority through whom God preserves His covenant.
Throughout Scripture, salvation often comes through the few (e.g., Noah, Elijah, the Apostles).
St Augustine:
“The remnant is grace within the multitude; many are called, few chosen — not because few are invited, but because few accept.”
(Sermon 26)
15. “If the Lord of Hosts Had Not Left Us Offspring”
“We would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.” (v. 29)
Without divine mercy, all would perish.
Every survival of faith is pure grace.
St John Chrysostom:
“The wonder is not that some are lost, but that any are saved.”
(Homilies on Romans XVII)
16. “Gentiles Who Did Not Pursue Righteousness Have Attained It”
“But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, did not succeed.” (vv. 30–31)
The Gentiles, without the Law, believed and were justified; Israel, with the Law, sought righteousness by works and stumbled.
St Ambrose:
“Faith outran labour; grace overtook merit.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy II.22)
17. “They Stumbled over the Stumbling Stone”
“As it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make men stumble… and he who believes in Him will not be put to shame.’” (v. 33)
Christ is that stone — rejected by pride, precious to faith.
The very One who judges unbelief becomes salvation to believers.
St Augustine:
“The same stone crushes the proud and upholds the humble; to the one a stumbling block, to the other a foundation.”
(Exposition of Psalm 118)
18. Theological Summary
| Theme | Explanation |
| Divine election | God’s free, merciful choice to save; never unjust, always gracious. |
| Predestination | God’s eternal plan to conform believers to Christ without removing human freedom. |
| Hardening | God permitting sinners to persist in pride; justice revealed through patience. |
| Vessels of mercy/wrath | Humanity’s response to grace revealing God’s holiness and compassion. |
| Remnant | The faithful minority preserving covenant continuity. |
| Gentile inclusion | Fulfilment of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham. |
19. Moral and Spiritual Application
Trust God’s wisdom. His providence surpasses our understanding.
Thank Him for mercy. Grace, not merit, has called you into the covenant.
Pray for Israel and all unbelievers. Paul’s sorrow must be ours.
Avoid pride in faith. Election is for service, not superiority.
Cling to Christ the cornerstone. Humility turns stumbling into strength.
20. Closing Prayer
Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
You are righteous in all Your ways and merciful in all Your works.
Teach us to trust Your providence even when Your purposes surpass our sight.
Make us vessels of mercy, humble before Your grace,
and faithful witnesses of Your love to Jew and Gentile alike.
Through Jesus Christ, the chosen cornerstone,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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