Romans 9:14
in Romans 9What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
KJV
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
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This verse in Romans 9
Commentary
13 notes on this verseIt is fitting that the reader of these things should recall rather attentively that comparison which we set down in the earlier books concerning the manner in which the apostolic discourse is dispensed: that, as in a certain royal house which is laid out with manifold entrances and exits, one passes from one chamber into another in such a way that scarcely any signs appear of the one entering or of the one going out — so also Paul seems to open up the secrets of divine things a little, yet not to spread them out plainly and openly.
This site's exposition
Is God unjust
on Romans 9:14-16
Paul raises the charge of injustice himself and refuses it. His answer is God's word to Moses at Exodus 33:19, that He will have mercy on whom He has mercy. The outcome rests on God who shows mercy, and no man's desire or effort decides it.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
All having been therefore called, those who are willing to obey have been named "called." For there is no unrighteousness with God. Those of either race who have believed, are "a peculiar people." And in the Acts of the Apostles you will find this, word for word, "Those then who received his word were baptized;" but those who would not obey kept themselves aloof. To these prophecy says, "If ye be willing and hear me, ye shall eat the good things of the land;" proving that choice or refusal depends on ourselves.
What is to be said of infants who receive the sacrament of Christian grace, as is usual at that age, and thus undoubtedly have a claim to eternal life and the kingdom of heaven if they die at once, whereas if they are allowed to grow up, some become even apostates? Why is this, except that they are not included in that predestination and calling according to his purpose which is without repentance? Why some are included and others are not can be for a hidden reason but not for an unjust one.
Why does God not scourge all men mercifully in such a way so as not to allow anyone to be hardened against him? Either this is to be ascribed to the wickedness of those who have deserved to become hardened, or it is to be …
"What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid." Hence there is no such thing in the case of us and the Jews. And then he goes on with another thing, a more clear than this. And of what sort is it?
The Medieval Church1 voice
Therefore, God is just both in relation to us, the Gentiles, and in relation to the Jews.
6 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
After showing that by God's choice one is preferred to the other not from works but from the grace of the one calling, the Apostle now inquires into the justice of this choice. First, he raises a question; second, he answers it, at God forbid! …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
This is well consistent with justice; for he has a right to fix the terms on which he will show mercy, according to his declaration to Moses, petitioning for all the people, after they had committed idolatry with the golden calf. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy - According to the terms I myself have fixed.
What shall we say then?.... A form of expression the apostle frequently uses, when he is about to introduce an objection, as is what follows: is there unrighteousness with God?
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid--This is the first of two objections to the foregoing doctrine, that God chooses one and rejects another, not on account of their works, but purely in the exercise of His own good pleasure: "This doctrine is inconsistent with the justice of God." The answer to this objection extends to Ro 9:19, where we have the second objection.
What shall we say then? - To what conclusion shall we come on the facts before us? Shall we suggest that God’s bestowing peculiar privileges in this unequal manner, on those who otherwise are in equal circumstances, is inconsistent with justice and equity? By no means. Whatever God does is right, and he may dispense his blessings to whom and or what terms he pleases.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
What shall we say then? - What conclusion shall we draw from these acknowledged facts, and from these positive declarations of Scripture. Is there unrighteousness with God? - Does God do injustice or wrong? This charge has often been brought against the doctrine here advanced. But this charge the apostle strongly repels. He meets it by further showing that it is the doctrine explicitly taught in the Old Testament Rom 9:15, Rom 9:17, and that it is founded on the principles of equity, and on just views of the sovereignty of God; Rom 9:19-23. God forbid - Note, Rom 3:4.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Τί | ti | What | G5101 → | 563 times |
| οὖν | oun | then | G3767 → | 497 times |
| ἐροῦμεν; | eroumen | will we say? | G4483 → | 46 times |
| μὴ | me | Not | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| ἀδικία | adikia | injustice | G93 → | 25 times |
| παρὰ | para | with | G3844 → | 192 times |
| τῷ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεῷ; | theo | God [is there]? | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| μὴ | me | Never | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| γένοιτο. | genoito | would it be! | G1096 → | 667 times |
ΤίWhat
tiG5101 →563 times
οὖνthen
ounG3767 →497 times
ἐροῦμεν;will we say?
eroumenG4483 →46 times
μὴNot
meG3361 →1066 times
ἀδικίαinjustice
adikiaG93 →25 times
παρὰwith
paraG3844 →192 times
τῷ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
θεῷ;God [is there]?
theoG2316 →1312 times
μὴNever
meG3361 →1066 times
γένοιτο.would it be!
genoitoG1096 →667 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Psalms 145:17The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.
it leads to
- Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Deuteronomy 32:4
Through
Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
it leads to
- Psalms 18:30–31
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
- Psalms 92:15
to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”
- Isaiah 26:4
Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.
- 2 Samuel 22:31–32
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
- Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in…
- Psalms 18:30–31
Through
Psalms 92:15to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”
it leads to
- Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
- Psalms 18:2
Through
2 Chronicles 19:7And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
it leads to
- Genesis 18:25
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the…
- Genesis 18:25
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies20
On this chapter
About Romans
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, LETTER 149; Caesarius of Arles, SERMON 101.5; Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata Book 1; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Romans 16; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Romans and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Romans.