Romans — Chapter 9

📖 Romans — Chapter 9 (KJV)

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Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

Romans 9:1 ^RI say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Romans 9:2 ^RThat I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Romans 9:3 For ^RI could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Romans 9:4 Who ^Rare Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Romans 9:5 Whose ^Rare the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Romans 9:6 Not ^Ras though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Romans 9:7 Neither, ^Rbecause they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Romans 9:8 That is, ^RThey which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Romans 9:9 For this is the word of promise, ^RAt this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

Romans 9:10 And ^Rnot only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

Romans 9:11 (For ^Rthe children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Romans 9:12 It was said unto her, ^RThe elder shall serve the younger.

Romans 9:13 As it is written, ^RJacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Romans 9:14 What ^Rshall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, ^REven 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 9:18 Therefore ^Rhath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Romans 9:19 ^RThou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Romans 9:20 Nay but, ^RO man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Romans 9:21 Hath not ^Rthe potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Romans 9:22 What if God, ^Rwilling to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Romans 9:23 And that he ^Rmight make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Romans 9:24 Even us, ^Rwhom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Romans 9:25 As he saith also ^Rin Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

Romans 9:26 ^RAnd it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Romans 9:27 ^REsaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Romans 9:28 For he will finish the work, ^Rand cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

Romans 9:29 And as Esaias said before, ^RExcept the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

Romans 9:30 What ^Rshall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Romans 9:31 But Israel, which ^Rfollowed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Romans 9:32 Wherefore? ^RBecause they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Romans 9:33 As it is written, ^RBehold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

Romans 9:1–13 — Paul grieves for Israel and explains promise rather than mere descent

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Paul expresses deep sorrow for his kinsmen and names Israel’s gifts, including the Christ’s coming according to the flesh. He distinguishes physical descent from the children of promise through Isaac and Jacob.

Key Truth: Hold doctrinal reflection together with honest love for people.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Romans 9:14–24 — God’s mercy confronts claims of entitlement

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Paul addresses objections concerning God’s righteousness, recalls his word to Moses and the Pharaoh account, and uses the potter and clay to discuss mercy, patience, and prepared vessels.

Key Truth: Receive mercy humbly rather than presenting status as a claim on God.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Romans 9:25–33 — Prophetic promise and the stumbling stone close the discussion

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Paul recalls Hosea’s naming of a people and Isaiah’s remnant testimony. Gentiles attain righteousness through faith, while Israel’s pursuit through works meets the stumbling stone, with belief contrasted against shame.

Key Truth: Pursue righteousness through faith rather than a ground for boasting.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

Exodus 33:19 — Paul recalls the Lord’s statement concerning mercy and compassion.

Exodus 33:19 (KJV) And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

How can a conviction about God’s mercy deepen humility and concern for another person?

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