CHOSEN -- Chuck Smith's Commentary on Romans Chapter 9

At this point in his letter Paul explains that God has removed the national privileges and blessings from Israel. The Jews had enjoyed a most-favored-nation status with God. However, by rejecting the righteousness provided for them through Jesus the Messiah, the "natural branch" of Israel has been cut off for a time.

In matters of salvation, Israel no longer retains a privileged status. Jew and Gentile alike must come to Jesus, for He is God's answer for every man's sin. "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).

As he speaks of Israel's severance from its divine privileges, Paul realizes that many will accuse him of bitterness against the Jews because they rejected him. Lest he be charged with contempt toward his own race, he begins by affirming his love for the Jews, a love as strong as Moses'. "Please forgive their sin," Moses interceded after Israel had made the golden calf. "And if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written" (Exodus 32:32). Like Moses, Paul was willing to give up his own salvation for the sake of his fellow Jews, and with this deep concern he begins his discussion of Israel.

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites (9:1-4a).

Paul's great burden for the Jews weighs heavily upon his heart. He grieves that they're neglecting the righteousness provided by God in Jesus Christ. He grieves, too, that his brothers by heritage have now been cut off from God's fellowship and denied the blessings and favors which were once upon them. He describes these blessings: 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 (9:4b). Let's look at these more closely.

First, the Jews had been adopted by God as His own people, because Abraham believed by faith that God would do as He promised. "I will make of thee a great nation" (Genesis 12:2a). God made a nation from Abraham through which the Messiah came. He watched over, cared for, and nurtured the children of Abraham as His own. God's adoption of the Jews eventually included the Gentiles. In thee [Abraham] shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3b).

Second, the glory of God rested upon Israel. When the Jews left Egypt, the glory of God went with them in the form of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:22). The consciousness of His presence was constantly with Israel. In the wilderness the glory of God filled the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle (Exodus 29:43), and He dwelt in the midst of His people. The glory of God descended on their place of worship when Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem (I Kings 8:10-11). The glory of God's presence was their privilege.

Third, God had made a covenant with Abraham. He then established that covenant with the nation through the Law of Moses. He would be their God through the giving of the Law, and they would be His people through their service to Him.

Finally, God had made promises to this nation, promises that are still valid. Today, we see the Lord fulfilling His word to His people. He said He would bring the Jews back into their land from all nations (Ezekiel 34:13,36:24). As the whole world knows, the Jews are back in their land. God promised, "Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit" (Isaiah 27:6). Israel is the world's third largest exporter of fruit and does indeed "fill the face of the world with fruit." Exporting flowers is also a major Israeli industry. The country continues to literally "blossom and bud" as God fulfills His word.

Paul goes on to say that to Israel belong the fathers [patriarchs] and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen (9:5).

There have been several poor translations of this verse by scholars who deny the deity of Jesus Christ. In fact, the Revised Standard Version (RSV) handles the translation so blasphemously that it cannot even be considered an accurate rendering. In Greek verse five reads, "...as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is God over all, blessed forever." Here Paul plainly declares that Christ is God over all. The RSV turns this verse into a doxology, and so removes the force of Paul's declaration of Christ's deity: "...according to the flesh, is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed forever." This interpretation changes the meaning of the text. Paul affirms Christ's deity throughout his Epistles, and this verse is one of his strongest and clearest affirmations.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel (9:6). Not all the descendants of Jacob are truly of Israel. To find out what Paul means, let's look at the story of Jacob in the Old Testament.

Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac, were twins, Esau being born first. He looked like a hairy, red garment, so his parents named him Hairy, in Hebrew "Esau." Jacob grabbed his brother's heel during birth, so they named him Heel-catcher, which is "Jacob" in Hebrew (a name that came to mean "deceiver" or "supplanter").

As the oldest son, Esau stood to inherit the birthright. One day, Jacob took advantage of his brother's great hunger and traded Esau a mess of pottage for the birthright. Later, when their father Isaac was to place the family blessing on Esau, Jacob tricked his old, blind father and received the blessing intended for his brother. When Esau discovered that Jacob had cheated him out of his blessing, he threatened to kill him. Afraid, Jacob fled to his uncle who lived far away.

After many years, Jacob decided to return home. He had only traveled partway when he received news that Esau was coming to him with a large company of men. Fear gripped Jacob's heart and he really prayed!

That night an angel of the Lord wrestled with Jacob. When the angel saw that he couldn't prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip and it slipped out of joint. In this crippled condition Jacob cried, "I won't let you go until you bless me!"

The angel replied, "Your name will no longer be Heel-catcher, but Israel" (Genesis 32:2-28). Jacob's new name meant "governed by God." Paul said, "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel." In other words, not all the descendants of Jacob are governed by God.

In biblical times most names had significance, because the people related them to the personal characteristics of the individual. Paul tells us that no one is truly Israel unless he is governed by God. We have a parallel situation with the word "Christian." Not everyone who is called a Christian is truly a follower of Christ.

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called (9:7). Ishmael, a son of Abraham who became the father of the Arabs, didn't inherit the promises. So, not all of the descendants of Abraham are God's chosen people.

God promised Abraham a son through Sarah. "I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her" (Genesis 17:16a). However, Abraham wanted God to accept the work of his flesh with Ishmael, so he said, "O that Ishmael might live before thee!" (Genesis 17:18). But God refused to honor Abraham's request.

Ishmael represents the man of the flesh and Isaac the man of the spirit. Ishmael, the result of Abraham's attempt to help God, wasn't recognized, because God doesn't recognize the works of our flesh. God told Abraham, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac" (Genesis 22:2a). God didn't even acknowledge Ishmael as Abraham's son.

How often we serve God in the energies of our flesh. Many ministers try building their churches through publicity campaigns, promotions, and financial analysis. They're using the efforts of the flesh to promote God's work.

For example, let's say that we wanted to raise a million dollars for our church. For a ten percent commission, professionals specializing in fund-raising drives for churches will raise the money for us, guaranteed. Many churches use such services.

This is just one tragic testimony of the Church's failure to walk in the Spirit. Following the ways of the world, she tries to do the work of God. But God doesn't want works in the energies and power of the flesh offered to Him. He refuses them. The Church's only hope of survival is to be led and energized by the Spirit of God. The Church is too big to push with the flesh, and unless the Spirit of God keeps working, she's finished.

God's promises to Abraham greatly affect today's Mideast situation. When Abraham first settled in the land, God said, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever" (Genesis 13:14-15). This promise wasn't made to Ishmael and his descendants, the Arabs. It was made to the chosen heir, Isaac, and his descendants, the Jews.

That is, They 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. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (for the 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;) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger (9:8-12).

As God made a distinction between Isaac and Ishmael, the sons of Abraham, so He distinguished between Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac. Jacob was accepted, and through him the promises and the Messiah came. Esau was rejected, and prophecies speak of his descendants being cut off as a nation (Genesis 36:9 with Obadiah 9-10).

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (9:13). This is difficult for us to understand. Why, before Jacob and Esau were ever born, would God accept one and reject the other? The reason is that salvation stands by election alone and not by works. God calls and elects whomever He wishes.

I can't honestly look at myself and say that God elected me because I'm so good. God simply acted on the basis of His own divine sovereignty. The fact that God chose to elect me thrills me and makes me ever grateful to Him.

God chose between Jacob and Esau before they were born. While they were still in the womb, He said, "The elder shall serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23b; Romans 9:12). Of course, God foreknew the attitudes and responses of each son before he was born. God made His choice with the knowledge that Jacob would be a spiritual man and Esau a fleshly one. Yet, no one can say that Jacob was elected because he was so wonderful, kind, or generous. God simply chose him.

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? (9:14). Our logical conclusion to this is that God is unfair. However, as we said before, carrying the truths of God to our own logical conclusions is dangerous. There are facts about each case that we don't know or understand, because our knowledge is limited. We cannot reason as God or know all the things He knows.

Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid (9:14). God does what is right. His selections are perfectly justified. He bestows His love and grace upon whom He wills, and He has the right to do so. Thank God that He chose me!

Isn't it amazing that you don't want to choose God, yet you want to find fault with Him because He didn't choose you? The only way to know whether or not He chose you is to believe. You'll then discover that He had chosen you before you were even born. No one has ever called upon the name of the Lord and been told, "Sorry, your name isn't on the list."

I have even more difficulty when He says, "Jacob have I loved." Jacob wasn't so lovable. I have some difficulty when God says, "Esau have I hated."

My greatest difficulty comes when God says that He loves me. I'm not at all lovable! God's glorious grace is manifested in His love for any of us - Jacob, me, or you.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). God would be justified in destroying all men. If God wiped out the human race, no one could point a finger of accusation at Him. So why are we accusing God of unfairness when He chooses to redeem some from destruction?

Again, we cannot enter into God's reasoning processes. God operates on a level far above ours. "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" (Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34). On occasion, we've all tried to counsel God about how to run this world. He doesn't seem to be very interested in our ideas. How foolish for us to think that we can counsel Him. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

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 (9:15). God has the right to do whatever He wishes. If He has mercy or compassion on some people, no one can fault Him for that. I thank Him for His mercy and compassion on me.

So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy (9:16). The work of God's favor is out of my hands. It isn't found by desire or effort "of him that willeth." I may have worked hard for the Lord, but God's favor isn't found "of him that runneth." "To God be the glory, great things He hath done," says the hymn. Salvation is of the Lord.

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? (9:17-19).

How can God blame me for being what I am, since I'm only what He's made me? If God has chosen to harden my heart, how can He punish me for it? Since He hardened Pharaoh's heart, how could He hold Pharaoh responsible for his evil? Who can resist God's will?

The Book of Exodus tells us that "the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh." The Hebrew word for "hardened" means "made firm." God simply confirmed Pharaoh's own decision, but He didn't make the decision for him. If you should harden your heart against God and choose to go to hell, God will make firm your decision. You say, "That's unfair! I want Him to break me down and change my mind." However, it is fair. If you're uncomfortable around God and want nothing to do with Him, why should He force you to live in His presence forever? If you're miserable around Him, God won't save you. He'll let you spend eternity in the abysmal darkness far from heaven. Yet you object, "That's unfair!"

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? (9:20a). A good question. Who are you to argue with God?

Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? (9:20b-21). A potter puts the clay on his wheel and cuts it in half. With one half he can make a beautiful vessel to hold roses, and with the other half he can make a spittoon. The potter has the right to make whatever he wants with his clay. Can the clay that was made into a spittoon say, "Why did you make me like this?" The clay has no power over its destiny. It's in the hands of the potter.

The thought of God's sovereignty is frightening. In fact, the doctrine of the sovereignty of God would terrify me if I didn't know the full truth. When I realize that God is love, all fear is suddenly gone. Without this knowledge, I would resist God and His touch. "Will you make me into a garbage pail?" Only when I know that God loves me and chooses the best for me can I yield to the Master Potter.

The potter knows what he wants to make when he begins to work on a lump of clay. The clay only discovers the intent of the potter by yielding to the potter's touch. God has a concept of what He wants me to be when He starts to work in my life. I can only find the mind of God by yielding to His touch.

What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction (9:22). God had such patience with Pharaoh! He endured Pharaoh's rebukes and stubbornness to show the world both His patience with the rebellious and His wrath on them.

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory (9:23). Since God can do what He wants, He can make some vessels fit for destruction by His wrath and others fit for glory by His mercy.

God wants to bestow His mercy upon you as a vessel. He prepares, molds, and fits you for the glory He wants you to experience in the presence of His love. The ball is in your court. God offers you His mercy through Jesus Christ, and you can accept it or reject it.

To avoid heresy, these two truths - God's sovereignty and the responsibility of man - need to be kept in balance. In Chapter 10 we'll take a closer look at the second truth, man's responsibility to God's call.

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles (9:24). As God promised through the prophets, the Gentiles now equally share His mercy with the Jews.

As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And 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. Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved (9:25-27). A Jew has no guarantee of salvation and not all of Israel shall be saved.

For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of Sabbath had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (9:28-33).

Jesus is the "stumblingstone." The whole idea of righteousness by faith simply confounded the legalistic Jews. They continued to seek righteousness by the Law, even after the Cross of Calvary. However, no man has kept the Law perfectly and attained to righteousness by it. As Peter said about the Law, "Why...put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:10). Its fulfillment is beyond the best of men.

In this last section of Chapter 9 Paul says that the Gentiles, who don't even know the Law of Moses, have found the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The Jews, continuing to seek righteousness through the Law, have never been able to attain it. How glorious is this righteousness credited to the sinner who believes in Jesus Christ!

Paul had written to the Philippians about his past advantages as a Jew. "If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what thing were gain to me, those I counted loss... for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:4-9).

The Jews of the Old Testament couldn't approach God When Moses went up to Mount Sinai, they told him, "Go up and talk to God, then tell us what He said. We're afraid to go near the place." Seeing the thunder, lightning, and fire rolling around the mountain, the Jews had reason to fear the presence of God. They even cordoned off the mountain and forbade anyone to come near lest he be killed.

The Law that God established with the Jews was one of exclusion, separating them from His presence. An ordinary Jew wouldn't dare enter the Holy Place of the temple; only a true priest had access to it. The common Jew would never dream of entering the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest after many ritual washings and sacrifices could approach it once a year. As a precaution during the high priest's yearly service, the other priests tied a rope around his foot and attached bells to the base of his robe. Should the ringing of the bells ever stop while he was in the Holy of Holies, those outside knew that he had been struck dead. They would then pull him out with the end of the rope.

Under the Law God was unapproachable and man was excluded from His presence. Why? Because a sinful man would be consumed in the presence of a righteous God. Only one thing today prevents a man from dying in God's presence - Jesus Christ.

God has accounted me as righteous, and I have access to Him at any time. I have attained the righteousness of the Law through my faith in Jesus Christ. The Jews under the Law are excluded, for they futilely try to find righteousness through the works of the Law. "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" (Romans 9:33; cf. Isaiah 28:16).

The Jews have stumbled over the stumbling stone for two millenniums. "But we preach Christ crucified," Paul said, "unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God" to salvation (I Corinthians 1:23-24).

I wasn't aware that the clay had an option in the matter.

I would suspect that if the clay were resistant to the potter's touch, then it will be discarded, eh?

BTW did you read this part: "The clay has no power over its destiny. It's in the hands of the potter."

In fact, the Revised Standard Version (RSV) handles the translation so blasphemously that it cannot even be considered an accurate rendering.

I used the Revised Standard for almost thirty years and he's absolutely right. Sometimes when someone else would read the same passage of scripture from another translation I would scratch my head. I held on to it for so long because all my notes were in it (many to correct the errors).

But this year I finally got up the nerve and ditch it for a NASB. When I went to move my notes I found I didn't need to. The translation errors in the RSV were corrected in the NASB.

Just one quick note. It always amazes me that the Children of Israel could see the pillar of fire/cloud day and night and be fed with manna from Heaven and be so unbelieving. I don't want to cast stones. I only need the faith of a mustard seed to move a mountain and I still can't do that.

Great post.

It always amazes me that the Children of Israel could see the pillar of fire/cloud day and night and be fed with manna from Heaven and be so unbelieving.

That's why miracles need to be few and far between. If one is exposed to a miracle day after day after day, it becomes a part of nature. After 20 years of seeing the pillar of fire and eating manna from the sky one would begin to think that that's just the natural order of events.

We look at the amazing handiwork of God in the universe and the amazing quality and quantity of life on earth, and we ought to view it as a miracle of God, but many people look at it as the natural order of things and then conclude that it could all happen without any creative force at all.

So the Israelites were just being the same type of people that we would be. When people do things outside of God and things fall apart, they look to God to fix them. When God is working in their lives and everything is going great, they start to think that maybe they don't need God after all.

I'm sure that with the initial taste, manna was the best tasting food ever made. But after 20 years of eating nothing but manna, I would imagine that these people would long for something new. Maybe a barbecued steak or perhaps some ice cream and hot fudge so they could make a Ba-manna split.

.....Ishmael represents the man of the flesh and Isaac the man of the spirit. Ishmael, the result of Abraham's attempt to help God, wasn't recognized, because God doesn't recognize the works of our flesh. God told Abraham, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac" (Genesis 22:2a). God didn't even acknowledge Ishmael as Abraham's son.

The only 'son' inherits ALL!

All includes the 'land' and more!

Jesus then inherits the 'All' forever and ever....Eternity!

Jehovah God's PROMISES are guaranteed!!

Acts 16:30-31

Romans 10:17

Maranatha!!

You’re absolutely correct. Miracles also became a hindrance for the apostles not a help.

[Paul] "said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, 'The gods have become like men and have come down to us.’ And they began calling Barnabas Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when Paul heard of it they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God…Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them." Act 14:11-18

People will read into miracles anything they want even with the preaching of the Apostle Paul. After this experience there are no more recordings of healing in Acts.

BTW- “Bamanna” split. NYUK. NYUK-good one.

Don't forget the Manna-coti, bamanna bread and hamanna sandwiches.

everybody give a big round of applause to marlowe - He'll be appearing the main ballroom all this week. Tickets are available by concierge.....dont forget to try the veal - It's delicious folks !

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

9. Chosen