Romans 9 Study Notes

The term sperma was often used for the seeds of plants (Mt 13:24-38; Mk 4:31) and sometimes even of animals (referring to reproduction as in humans). It could refer figuratively to origin but refers more often to descendants or offspring. Paul develops the descendant/offspring meaning along three main lines.

(1) Jesus the Messiah came from the promised sperma or family line (Rm 1:3; 2Tm 2:8; see Gl 3:16,19; cp. Jn 8:33; Ac 13:23).

(2) Those who are the sperma or descendants of Abraham by physical descent, that is, the Hebrew race (Rm 9:7,29 [translated ‘‘offspring”]; 11:1).

(3) Those who are the sperma or descendants of Abraham by faith, that is, believers in Christ (Rm 4:13,16,18; 9:7-8 [translated “offspring’’]; Gl 3:29). Through these various uses of sperma, Paul indicated that actual physical descent from Abraham is neither necessary nor sufficient for salvation; faith in Christ alone brings a person into God’s family.

9:18 God hardened Pharaoh in his stubbornness as he progressively rejected the plagues that revealed “the finger of God” (Ex 8:19). Exodus points out that Pharaoh hardened his heart many times before God punished him by hardening him.

9:19 Paul declared that the Judge of the earth is always just. “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?” (Jb 40:2). Humans cannot judge God.

9:20-22 Hebrew Adam (man) is from the Hb adama (ground) (Gn 2:7). In pronouncing punishment for Adam and Eve’s sin, God said, “For you are dust, and you will return to dust” (Gn 3:19). The image of the village potter is common in the OT (Is 41:25; 45:9; Jr 18:1-12) and is used to illustrate different lessons. Here the clay represents fallen humanity. Much as a potter, God works this material into shapes that fulfill his desires (Is 64:6-9). Some pots he chooses to be for honor; others he patiently endures until he displays his justified wrath against sin.

9:23-24 God desires to display his grace on objects of mercy, the ones on whom he has set his redeeming love. These come from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds.

9:25-26 Drawing from Hosea’s marriage, Paul compares Gentile salvation to mercy bestowed on an undeserving adulterous wife (see the book of Hosea).

9:27-29 Paul also cited the words of Isaiah to show that God will save a remnant of Israel that he “calls.” Unless God had been gracious to the remnant, the whole nation would have been justly wiped out like ancient Sodom and Gomorrah.

9:30-10:21 Chapter and verse divisions in the Bible are modern inventions made for the convenience of readers. Chapters 9-11 are one unit of thought, and they must be understood together to get a complete picture of Paul’s argument.

9:30-33 Gentiles, who were not seeking righteousness, were granted it by grace through faith. They did not work for it or earn it. But Israel missed it by seeking righteousness through the law and by their works. They stumbled over the Messiah and did not believe in him (Is 8:14; 28:16). Jesus himself warned Israel that they missed the “stone” (Mt 21:42-44; see Ps 118:22-23).