Romans 9:14-16
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The emphatic "God forbid!" (or "By no means!") isn't just a polite rejection of the question; it's a forceful repudiation of the very thought that God could be unjust. Paul isn't asking if the idea of injustice with God is possible, but rather declaring that the concept is unthinkable and utterly contrary to God's nature, even when His choices seem puzzling to us.
Paul is addressing a deeply sensitive issue: why did God choose Abraham's descendants, the Israelites, to be His people, yet then seem to pass over many of them in favor of the Gentiles through Christ? This leads directly to the question of whether God is playing favorites or acting unjustly, a charge Paul emphatically denies before diving into Old Testament examples to demonstrate God's sovereign right to choose.
When we hear about God choosing some and not others, our gut reaction might be to question His fairness. Paul anticipates this, but his response is a firm 'No!'
Paul anticipates a charge against God: Is God unjust? The doctrine he's discussing—God's sovereign choice, particularly in electing Jacob over Esau and Israel over other nations—can sound unfair to our human ears.
But Paul's immediate, emphatic response, 'God forbid!' (or 'By no means!'), isn't just a polite disagreement. It's a strong declaration that such a thought is not only wrong but also deeply offensive to God's character. This isn't a debate where Paul needs to prove God's case to human satisfaction; rather, he's shutting down a line of questioning that misjudges God's nature and rights.
Paul doesn't just defend God; he points to His own Word as the ultimate authority. What does Scripture say about God's prerogative in mercy?
Paul's defense against the charge of injustice hinges on God's absolute right to extend mercy according to His own will. He appeals to God's own declaration to Moses in Exodus:
God's Declaration to Moses
'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' (Exodus 33:19)
This is crucial. God isn't obligated to show mercy to anyone. Our sin makes us deserving of judgment, not mercy. Therefore, when God chooses to show mercy to some and not others, it's an act of grace, not an act of injustice. It’s not based on human merit, will, or effort, but solely on God’s sovereign decision. This doesn’t mean God is arbitrary; it means His reasons are His own, rooted in His perfect character and purposes, which are beyond our full comprehension.
Understand the original words
adikia · Greek Noun
The state of being righteous, fair, or morally upright; in Scripture, it refers to the character of God who always acts in accordance with His holy nature.
eleos · Greek Noun
The unmerited favor and active withholding of judgment or wrath from those who deserve it, flowing from God's character and sovereign will.
oiktirmos · Greek Noun
A deep, sympathetic feeling of distress for others, accompanied by an earnest desire to alleviate their suffering; in Scripture, it often refers to God's tender care for His people.
thelema · Greek Noun
The fundamental power of choice, volition, or desire inherent in human beings. In a theological sense, it often contrasts the fallen human capacity to choose with the sovereign determination of God.
This passage shows God declaring His sovereign right to show mercy based on His own will, directly echoing Paul's assertion in Romans 9 that God's actions are not bound by human will or effort.
Deuteronomy 7:7-8It emphasizes that Israel was chosen not because of their size or number, but solely out of God's love and faithfulness to His oath, aligning with the idea that God's choices are not based on human merit.
Matthew 20:15Jesus uses the parable of the laborers to illustrate that the landowner has the right to do as he pleases with his own possessions, a direct parallel to Paul's argument about God's sovereign rights over His creation.
Proverbs 16:4This verse states that God made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble, reflecting the concept that God's sovereignty extends to all, including those who are not chosen for salvation, for His ultimate purposes.
barnesRomans 9:14: "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid."
What shall we say then? - What conclusion shall we draw from these acknowledged facts, and from these positive declarations of Scripture. Is there unrighteousness with God? - Does God do injustice or wrong? This charge has often been brought against the doctrine here advanced. But this charge the apostle strongly repels. He meets it by further showing that it is the doctrine explicitly taught in the Old Testam…
bengelRomans 9:14: "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid."
Romans 9:14 . Τί οὖν , what then? ) Can we then on this ground be accused of charging God with unrighteousness and iniquity by this assertion? By no means; for what we assert is the irrefragable assertion of God; see the following verse.— Μὴ γένοιτο , God forbid ) The Jews thought, that they could by no means be rejected by God; that the Gentiles could by no means be received. As therefore an honest man acts e…
The emphatic "God forbid!" (or "By no means!") isn't just a polite rejection of the question; it's a forceful repudiation of the very thought that God could be unjust. Paul isn't asking if the idea of injustice with God is possible, but rather declaring that the concept is unthinkable and utterly contrary to God's nature, even when His choices seem puzzling to us.
Paul is addressing a deeply sensitive issue: why did God choose Abraham's descendants, the Israelites, to be His people, yet then seem to pass over many of them in favor of the Gentiles through Christ? This leads directly to the question of whether God is playing favorites or acting unjustly, a charge Paul emphatically denies before diving into Old Testament examples to demonstrate God's sovereign right to choose.
Paul is addressing a deeply sensitive issue: why did God choose Abraham's descendants, the Israelites, to be His people, yet then seem to pass over many of them in favor of the Gentiles through Christ? This leads directly to the question of whether God is playing favorites or acting unjustly, a charge Paul emphatically denies before diving into Old Testament examples to demonstrate God's sovereign right to choose.
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trechon · Greek Noun
Physical effort, striving, or running; used metaphorically for human works or attempts to achieve righteousness or spiritual goals apart from God’s grace.
eleeo · Greek Verb
Compassion or pity shown by a superior to an inferior, especially by God toward sinful humanity. It is the withholding of deserved judgment and the granting of unmerited favor.
"What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion,…" — The emphatic "God forbid!" (or "By no means!") isn't just a polite rejection of the question; it's a forceful repudiation of the very thought that God could be unjust. Paul isn't asking if the idea…
