Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Romans 9:18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 9:18 So then, He has mercy on whom He wills (chooses), and He hardens [the heart of] whom He wills. |
Bible Question:
Does that mean that some people do not have a chance to be save? Explain. Does it mean that the mercy of God is less than universal? Explain. |
Bible Answer: Romans 9:18... "9:18 The mighty act of God in freeing Israel from the hand of Pharaoh demonstrated two corollary truths. Both Moses and Pharaoh were wicked sinners, even murderers, and were equally worthy of God's wrath and eternal punishment. But Moses received mercy while Pharaoh received God's judgment, because that was God's sovereign will (cf. 11:7; Josh. 11:18-20; 1 Thess. 5:9; 2 Peter 2:12). hardens. The Greek word literally means to make something hard, but is often used figuratively to refer to making stubborn or obstinate. Ten times Exodus refers to God's hardening Pharaoh's heart (e.g., 4:21; 7:3,13), and other times to Pharaoh's hardening his own heart (e.g., 8:32; 9:34). This does not mean that God actively created unbelief or some other evil in Pharaoh's heart (cf. James 1:13), but rather that He withdrew all the divine influences that ordinarily acted as a restraint to sin and allowed Pharaoh's wicked heart to pursue its sin unabated (cf. 1:24,26,28)." (MacArthur's NKJV Study Bible) "9:18 The first part of this verse again echoes Ex. 33:19 (see v. 15) and the last part such texts as Ex. 7:3; 9:12; 14:4,17, in which God is said to harden the hearts of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. 'on whom he wants to have mercy.' Cannot mean that God is arbitrary in his mercy, because Paul ultimately bases God's rejection of Israel on her unbelief (see vv. 30-32)." (NIV Study Bible) "9:19-21 An opponent might say that Paul’s conclusion in verse 18 leads to fatalism. Paul, however, does not give an analytical answer but rebukes the questioner for such a preposterous conclusion. If a potter can do what he wishes with his vessels, certainly God can with His." (Ryrie Study Bible) "9:17,18 Pharaoh refused to obey the Lord (Ex. 5:2) and hardened his heart (see Ex. 7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 32; 9:7). God used Pharaoh’s sin to demonstrate His power and magnify His name. hardens: God only gave Pharaoh over to what Pharaoh had already chosen to do. Nevertheless the fact remains that God sovereignly chooses to have mercy on some and to withhold it from others." (Nelson NKJV Study Bible) "9:17 Pharaoh also serves his purpose in the elective program of God for Israel. Pharaoh first determined to oppose God (Ex 5:2). Afterward God hardened (confirmed) Pharaoh’s heart in his disbelief (Ex 7:3)." (Believer's Study Bible) Nolan |