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Selected Verse: Romans 9:18 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ro 9:18 |
King James |
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Therefore hath he--"So then he hath." The result then is that He hath
mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth--by judicially abandoning them to the hardening influence of sin itself (Psa 81:11-12; Rom 1:24, Rom 1:26, Rom 1:28; Heb 3:8, Heb 3:13), and of the surrounding incentives to it (Mat 24:12; Co1 15:38; Th2 2:17).
Second objection to the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty: |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Therefore hath he mercy ... - This is a conclusion stated by the apostle as the result of all the argument.
Whom he will he hardeneth - This is not stated in what the Scripture said to Pharaoh, but is a conclusion to which the apostle had arrived, in view of the case of Pharaoh. The word "hardeneth" means only to harden in the manner specified in the case of Pharaoh. It does not mean to exert a positive influence, but to leave a sinner to his own course, and to place him in circumstances where the character will be more and more developed; see the note at Joh 12:40. It implies, however, an act of sovereignty on the part of God in thus leaving him to his chosen course, and in not putting forth that influence by which he could be saved from death. Why this is, the apostle does not state. We should, however, not dispute a fact everywhere prevalent; and should have sufficient confidence in God to believe that it is in accordance with infinite wisdom and rectitude. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
He will (θέλει)
In a decretory sense. See on Mat 1:19.
Hardeneth (σκληρύνει)
Only here by Paul. See on hard, Mat 25:24; see on Jde 1:14; see on Jam 3:4. Three words are used in the Hebrew to describe the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. The one which occurs most frequently, properly means to be strong, and therefore represents the hardness as foolhardiness, infatuated insensibility to danger. See Exodus 14. The word is used in its positive sense, hardens, not merely permits to become hard. In Exodus the hardening is represented as self-produced (Exo 8:15, Exo 8:32; Exo 9:34), and as produced by God (Exo 4:21; Exo 7:3; Exo 9:12; Exo 10:20, Exo 10:27; Exo 11:10). Paul here chooses the latter representation. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| So then - That is, accordingly he does show mercy on his own terms, namely, on them that believe. And whom he willeth - Namely, them that believe not. He hardeneth - Leaves to the hardness of their hearts. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will - This is the apostle's conclusion from the facts already laid down: that God, according to his own will and wisdom, in perfect righteousness, bestows mercy; that is to say, his blessings upon one part of mankind, (the Jews of old, and the Gentiles of the present time), while he suffers another part (the Egyptians of old, and the Jews of the present day) to go on in the abuse of his goodness and forbearance, hardening themselves in sin, till he brings upon them a most just and exemplary punishment, unless this be prevented by their deep repentance and general return to God through Jesus the promised, the real Messiah. |
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.