Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "I have raised you up" (or "made you stand") is more about God's sustaining power than simply exalting Pharaoh. It suggests God kept Pharaoh in a position of authority, even amidst the plagues, not necessarily creating his wickedness but allowing it to unfold to demonstrate His own immense power and sovereign purposes.
Paul is discussing God's sovereign choice in saving people, directly addressing the potential accusation of injustice. He uses the example of Pharaoh, highlighting God's direct statement to the Egyptian king about being raised up specifically to display God's power and make His name known throughout the earth. This powerful statement from Exodus serves to illustrate that God's actions, even in hardening Pharaoh, are purposeful and ultimately for His own glory, before Paul moves to discuss God's mercy and hardening in a broader sense.
Did God 'raise up' Pharaoh specifically to be a pawn in His grand plan? This verse reveals a divine perspective on history that challenges our assumptions about human agency and divine will.
Paul quotes God's own words to Pharaoh: "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you..." (Exodus 9:16). This isn't just about Pharaoh's personal salvation or damnation, but about God's overarching plan for His name to be known.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Romans 9:17 is available in the Sola app.
If God raised Pharaoh up, was Pharaoh merely a puppet? This verse, understood in its context, clarifies the complex interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility.
The text doesn't suggest God infused evil into Pharaoh. Instead, it highlights how God sovereignly uses individuals, including the wicked, to accomplish His purposes.
Understand the original words
graphe · Greek Noun
The authoritative, inspired writings of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, it is viewed as the voice of God himself.
egeiro · Greek Verb
In this context, it refers to God's act of bringing someone into a position of prominence or causing them to exist for a specific historical purpose.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The inherent strength, authority, and efficacy of God displayed in His works, particularly in His sovereignty over creation and redemption.
diangello · Greek Verb
To make the name (character, authority, and reputation) of God known or published widely among the nations.
The verse Paul quotes comes directly from the Exodus narrative, where God reveals His sovereign purpose in both His deliverance of Israel and the hardening of Pharaoh, highlighting God's power and glory on a global scale.
c. 1550 BC
New Kingdom Egypt Established
Following the expulsion of the Hyksos, Egypt entered a period of renewed power and expansion, becoming a major empire. This sets the stage for the interaction with the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israelite Exodus from Egypt
Led by Moses, the Israelites departed from Egypt after a series of plagues, a pivotal moment demonstrating God's power and fulfilling His promises. This event directly involves Pharaoh.
c. 1446 BC
Plagues of Egypt Culminate
The ten plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn, were a divine demonstration of power against Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's authority. The scripture quoted in Romans refers to this period.
c. 1446 BC
Parting of the Red Sea
God miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape Pharaoh's pursuing army, which was then destroyed by the returning waters. This event further showcased God's power.
c. 13th Century BC
Late Bronze Age Egypt
Egypt continued to be a dominant power, though facing challenges. The memory of the Exodus would have been a significant part of Israelite history and theology.
This passage directly precedes the one quoted by Paul, setting the stage for God's interaction with Pharaoh and his hardening heart, showing the historical context for Paul's theological point.
Exodus 18:11This verse speaks of Pharaoh's own people acknowledging God's power, showing how the events Paul references led to the proclamation of God's name throughout the earth, fulfilling the purpose mentioned in Romans 9:17.
Isaiah 45:7This prophetic passage echoes the idea that God actively creates both light and darkness, peace and disaster, highlighting the sovereignty Paul asserts in Romans 9, where even Pharaoh's hardened state serves God's ultimate purposes.
Romans 9:18This verse immediately follows Paul's citation, drawing the direct conclusion: 'So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.' This shows how Paul uses Pharaoh's example to illustrate God's sovereign mercy and hardening.
Romans 11:33This verse reflects on the profound depths of God's wisdom and knowledge, similar to how the Pharaoh incident reveals God's unfathomable plans that extend even to those who are hardened, for the ultimate display of His glory.
cambridgeRomans 9:17: "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."
17 . For ] See on Romans 9:15 . In this verse St Paul recurs to the question “Is there unrighteousness, &c.?” and replies to it, by citing not now a general Divine utterance (as in Romans 9:15 ) but a special utterance, to an individual. the Scripture saith ] For a similar personification of the in…
bengelRomans 9:17: "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."
Romans 9:17 . Λέγει ) saith, i.e. exhibits God speaking in this manner, comp. ch. Romans 10:20 , saith .— γὰρ , for ) He proves, that it is of Him who shows mercy , even God .— τῷ Φαραὼ , to the Pharaoh ) who lived in the time of Moses .— ὅτι εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο ἐξήγειρὰ σε , ὅπως ἐνδείξωμαι ἐν σοὶ τὴν…
The phrase "I have raised you up" (or "made you stand") is more about God's sustaining power than simply exalting Pharaoh. It suggests God kept Pharaoh in a position of authority, even amidst the plagues, not necessarily creating his wickedness but allowing it to unfold to demonstrate His own immense power and sovereign purposes.
Paul is discussing God's sovereign choice in saving people, directly addressing the potential accusation of injustice. He uses the example of Pharaoh, highlighting God's direct statement to the Egyptian king about being raised up specifically to display God's power and make His name known throughout the earth. This powerful statement from Exodus serves to illustrate that God's actions, even in hardening Pharaoh, are purposeful and ultimately for His own glory, before Paul moves to discuss God's mercy and hardening in a broader sense.
Paul is discussing God's sovereign choice in saving people, directly addressing the potential accusation of injustice. He uses the example of Pharaoh, highlighting God's direct statement to the Egyptian king about being raised up specifically to display God's power and make His name known throughout the earth. This powerful statement from Exodus serves to illustrate that God's actions, even in hardening Pharaoh, are purposeful and ultimately for His own glory, before Paul moves to discuss God's mercy and hardening in a broader sense.
"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”" — The phrase "I have raised you up" (or "made you stand") is more about God's sustaining power than simply exalting Pharaoh. It suggests God kept Pharaoh in a position of authority, even amidst the pla…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
