Romans 9 exposition

General Faith
1

1:5 - Does this passage support Lordship Theology?
1:8 - What does Paul mean when he says that their faith reached the “whole world”?
1:18 - Is God wrathful?
1:24, 26, 28 - Why does it say three times that God “gave them over” to their sin, if God loves people?
2:7 - Does this verse teach that good works can get us into heaven?
2:22 - What does it mean to “rob temples”?
2:24 - Why does Paul cite Isaiah 52:5 and/or Ezekiel 36:20ff?
2:28-29 - Does this passage teach that Christians inherit the Jewish promises of the Old Testament? (c.f. Phil. 3:3; Gal. 6:16)
3:11 - Do humans seek for God or not?
3:22 - Is this verse about the “faithfulness OF Jesus” or is it about “our faith IN Jesus”?
3:25 - What does “propitiation” mean?
4:9-12 - Is Paul teaching that the church has fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant?
5:1 - Do we have justification in the past tense, or are we supposed to seek justification in the future tense?
5:12, 14 - How can God judge all men for Adam’s sin, when it wasn’t their fault?
5:13 - Did God not judge people before the time of the Law?
5:15-19 - Is Paul saying that everyone will be forgiven in the end?
5:20 - Is Paul saying that the Law makes us want to sin more?
6:3-4 - Is this passage describing water baptism? –or something else?
6:6 - Does Paul really believe that we do not have a sinful nature anymore?
7:6 - In what sense are Christians “released from the Law”?
7:8-13 - Is Paul describing himself here, or something (or someone) else?
7:14-25 - Is Paul describing his own personal struggle with sin?
8:1 - Is there condemnation or not?
8:26-27 - Does this refer to speaking in tongues?
8:29-30 - Is this passage teaching predestination?
8:36 - Why does Paul quote Psalm 44:22?
9 - Romans 9: An Arminian Interpretation
9:3 - Does Paul really want to go to hell, so that his Jewish friends could go to heaven?
9:5 - Does this Passage support the Deity of Christ?
9:13 - Does God “hate” unborn babies?
9:17-19 - Is this passage saying that God will harden people’s hearts to keep them from receiving Christ?
9:22-23 - Does God create people only to damn them?
10:6-7 - What does Paul mean, when he writes about “ascending into heaven” and “descending into the abyss”?
10:14 - Does this verse teach that we need to hear Jesus’ name to be saved?
11:1-21 - Why did the Jews reject Jesus, if he was their Promised Messiah?
11:22 - Does this passage threaten the idea of eternal security?
12:3 - Does God give us our faith—or do we produce faith?
12:20 - What does Paul mean by “burning coals on his head”?

J.

2

I will give it a shot. Paul begins with a deep, personal lament. He expresses such love for his fellow Israelites that he says he would willingly be “cursed and cut off from Christ” if it meant their salvation. He lists their unique privileges: The adoption as sons. The divine glory and the covenants. The receiving of the law and the temple worship. The lineage of the patriarchs and, ultimately, the human ancestry of the Messiah.

“True Israel” (v. 6–13) Paul addresses a potential crisis: Has God’s word failed because Israel rejected Jesus? His answer is a firm no. He argues that “not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.”

He uses two historical examples to show that being a child of God has always been about God’s promise, not just biological DNA: Isaac vs. Ishmael: Both were Abraham’s sons, but only Isaac was the “child of promise.” Jacob vs. Esau: Before the twins were even born (and before they had done anything good or bad), God chose Jacob. Election is based on God’s purpose in calling, not on human effort or merit.

Is God Unjust? (v. 14–24) Paul anticipates the immediate objection: “That’s not fair!” If God chooses based on His own will, is He being unjust? Paul responds by quoting God’s words to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” He argues that mercy, by definition, is not something anyone is owed. He then uses the example of Pharaoh, stating that God raised him specifically to display His power.

To humble the critic, Paul uses the analogy of a potter. Does the clay have the right to ask the potter, “Why did you make me like this?” Paul’s point is that God, as the Creator, has the sovereign right to use different “vessels” to display both His justice and His immense mercy.

The Inclusion of the us (v. 25–29) Paul uses Old Testament prophecies (from Hosea and Isaiah) to show that God always intended to: Call a people who were “not my people” (us, unless you are Jewish). Save only a “remnant” of Israel. This shift isn’t a “Plan B”; Paul argues it was predicted centuries prior.

The Stumbling Stone (v. 30–33) Paul concludes with a surprising paradox. The Gentiles, who weren’t even looking for righteousness, found it through faith. The Israelites, who pursued the law to achieve righteousness, failed to reach it because they pursued it by works rather than faith. He identifies Jesus as the “stumbling stone.” To those who try to earn their way to God, Jesus is an obstacle; to those who believe, He is the foundation.

Was your point individual election? God chooses specific individuals for salvation based solely on His sovereign will? I think it was. Or on Corporate Election. Paul is explaining God’s right to choose the nations or categories (believers vs. legalists) through which He works. Love this chapter though.

Peter