Romans 9

Romans 9 is the ninth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while he was in Corinth in the mid-50s AD,[1] with the help of an amanuensis (secretary), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22.[2]

Romans 9
Epistle to the Romans 8:12–22 in the bigger of two fragments forming Papyrus 27 (recto side), written in the 3rd century.
BookEpistle to the Romans
CategoryPauline epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part6

Reformer Martin Luther stated, "in chapters 9, 10, and 11, St. Paul teaches us about the eternal providence of God. It is the original source which determines who would believe and who would not, who can be set free from sin, and who cannot".[3]

Methodist writer Joseph Benson summarises this chapter:

The apostle having insinuated, in Romans 3:3, that God would cast off the Jews for their unbelief, a Jew is there supposed to object, that their rejection would destroy the faithfulness of God. To this the apostle answered, that the faithfulness of God would be established rather than destroyed, by the rejection of the Jews for their unbelief.[4]

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 33 verses.

Textual witnesses
Fragments c to h containing parts of the Epistle to the Romans in Papyrus 40, written about AD 250

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Old Testament references
  • Romans 9:7 references Genesis 21:12
  • Romans 9:9 references Genesis 18:10,14
  • Romans 9:12 references Genesis 25:23
  • Romans 9:13 references Malachi 1:2,3
  • Romans 9:15 references Exodus 33:19
  • Romans 9:17 references Exodus 9:16
  • Romans 9:25 references Hosea 2:23
  • Romans 9:26 references Hosea 1:10
  • Romans 9:27 references Isaiah 10:22,23
  • Romans 9:29 references Isaiah 1:9
  • Romans 9:33 references Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16

Paul's lament over Israel (9:1–5)

The remarks in verses 1–5 seem to mirror Exodus 32:30–34, when Moses offered to be "blotted out of the book" for the Israelites, who had "sinned a great sin" for worshiping the golden calf at the Mount Sinai.[5] This incident may also underline Paul's description of human idolatry and rebellion in Romans 1:18–32 and Paul explicitly contrasted his ministry with that of Moses in 2 Corinthians 3:4–11.[5] Therefore, Paul speaks of the 'Israelites' (verse 4 and more generally in chapters 9–11) instead of the 'Jews'.[5]

Verse 3

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh

— Romans 9:3, New King James Version[6]

Alexander Kirkpatrick, in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges,[7] associates Paul's willingness to be "cursed and cut off from Christ" for the sake of his brethren[8] with Moses' prayer for the forgiveness of his wayward people ("forgive their sin – but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written") [9] and with King David's mourning on the death of his son Absalom, "O my son Absalom – my son, my son Absalom – if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!".[10]

God's consistency evident in the election of true Israel (9:6–29)

Verse 6

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,

— Romans 9:6, New King James Version[11]

The divine promises to Abraham were fulfilled, even though "only a portion of Abraham's natural descendants" were elected.[5]

Verse 7

nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called."

— Romans 9:7, New King James Version[12]

Verse 7 cites Genesis 21:12.[13][14]

The failure of Ishmael and Esau to obtain their natural birthright does not hinder the fulfillment of God's promises, because it is through the second born, Isaac and Jacob, the true "children of promise", that God's plan was fulfilled.[5]

Verse 13

As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."

— Romans 9:13, New King James Version[15]

Verse 13 cites Malachi 1:2–3.[16]

Verse 27

Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be like the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved."

— Romans 9:27, Modern English Version[17]

Verse 27 cites Isaiah 10:22–23.[18]

Verse 28

"For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth."

— Romans 9:28, New King James Version[19]

Verse 28 cites Isaiah 10:22–23.[18]

Israel's failure explained (9:30–33)

In the passage that continues until Romans 10:21,[20] Paul gives statements on Israel's response and responsibility regarding the proclamation of Christ. After providing a view "from above" in verses 6–29, that is, from the perspective of God's purpose and election of Israel, the subsequent verses provide a view "from below", that is, from the perspective of the Jews, "who had worked diligently to be righteous, have rejected faith in Christ, the only thing able to make them truly righteous", whereas some Gentiles effortlessly believe in Christ.[21]

Verse 33

As it is written:

"Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,

And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

— Romans 9:33, New King James Version[22]

Verse 33 cites Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16;[23] cross reference 1 Peter 2:6,8.

See also

References
  1. Hill 2007, p. 1084.
  2. Donaldson, Terence L. (2007). "63. Introduction to the Pauline Corpus". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 1077. ISBN 978-0199277186.
  3. Luther, M., Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, translated by Andrew Thornton, OSB
  4. Benson's Commentary on Romans 9, accessed 22 September 2016
  5. Hill 2007, p. 1100.
  6. Romans 9:3 NKJV
  7. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on 2 Samuel 18, accessed 12 August 2017
  8. Romans 9:3 Revised Standard Version
  9. Exodus 32:32
  10. 2 Samuel 18:33
  11. Romans 9:6 NKJV
  12. Romans 9:7 NKJV
  13. Genesis 21:12
  14. Note on Romans 9:7 in MEV
  15. Romans 9:13 NKJV
  16. Note on Romans 9:13 in NET Bible
  17. Romans 9:27 MEV
  18. Note on Romans 9:27–28 in MEV
  19. Romans 9:28 NKJV
  20. Romans 10:21
  21. Hill 2007, p. 1101.
  22. Romans 9:33 NKJV
  23. Note on Romans 9:33 in MEV

Bibliography
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