Romans 9:16

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“So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.”

What is this passage talking about? The subject is those whom God chooses to call!

A related question arises, however. May Christians do—or not do—anything that they wish because all that ultimately matters is God’s mercy? Is the passage saying that their “will” and how they conduct their lives—how they “run”—is not important or relevant to God?

Rom 9:15 reveals that God forgives and/or works with whomever He chooses. (Notice Rom 9:12-14.)

Rom 9:16 is actually explaining that a person cannot have access to God now, or have His grace now, simply because the person either “wills” it, or is the more logical, and more humanly-qualified choice (is one who “runs” hard). The phrase “runs” is referring to those who work and do things on their own and, therefore, who might seem or appear to be natural choices for God to call. God’s subjective mercy on some and not others is what makes the difference.

No suggested reading.