Paul's letter to the Romans
Reminder
Romans 9 - ASV
1. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,
A reminder, and an emphasis.
A person's conscience judges his own action and desire.
2. that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.
Caring for others as ones own suffering.
Christians should care for others all the time.
3. For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
A sentiment for self-sacrifice. Paul has prepared himself for the ultimate. Death has no more restrain.
Dying in the flesh, but gaining in spirit. Not all is lost.
4. who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Think about it. There are many things to consider, and reconsider.
There are convenants.
5. whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
God bears witness that Christ is over all even in the flesh.
Amen - Let it be so.
6. But it is not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:
There are the Israelites and the Israelites. They might look the same from certain view; but are not all the same.
There are christians and christians who are not the same. Judge by all Godly principles, not by sight, and some human principles.
7. neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
True Israelites are born in the spirit as well; not just born of flesh/blood line.
There is a calling. God is the regulator. The decision belongs to God above all.
8. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed.
An explanation. Not of the flesh are christians.
But what God has promised, being for-ordained, chosen, fashioned, and called.
9. For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
A word; not the word.
God is in control to keep His promise. His promise cannot fail since He is in control, and He is steadfast/unchanging.
10. And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac--
Promise is being kept through different people down the generations.
God is living and active, doing things at His own timing.
11. for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,
The purpose of God is according to election. Not according to what the newly created people would do.
There is the good and bad not according to works/deeds.
Paul does not preach justification by works and deeds as a proof of godliness from the very beginning. Christians are elected, called before they were born.
12. it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
The logic/reasoning of God is not that of men. it does not follow the obvious and natural ways.
The plan of God was set long ago with a lot of hint and reflection.
13. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
The written scriptures serve as confirmation of the promises and election and calling of God.
They are the reference points in life.
14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
The hatred of God is not due to unrighteousness.
15. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.
God is in control. He decides. He does not serve any others because of lack of power and authority.
16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.
Justification is of God. Not of desires, nor of works.
Works are justified only by God.
17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth.
The authority of scripture is above the authority and status of earthly ruler.
Scripture is for publishing the name of God in all the earth.
18. So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth.
God is not moved to decision by the works of men.
The desires of men are controlled by God.
19. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?
Why is He finding fault in His own planning?
It is because His will reigns supreme. All are subjected to Him.
Rest asured that He is able to keep His promises.
20. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?
Consider how inadequate you are in comparison to God. There is no way you can compare intelligence with the almighty creator.
We are creatures formed by God, under His control and planning. We cannot supersede His authority, order, and thought.
We just do not have the knowledge and intelligence to reason with Him our entire life and composition. We do not even know it to start with understanding His whole rationale.
21. Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
We are as dumb as clay.
22. What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction:
23. and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,
24. even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?
25. As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.
26. And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God.
27. And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved:
28. for the Lord will execute his word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short.
The Lord is reaching down and will set course to show what is promised and revealed through scriptures. He is the beginner and finisher. And He will not delay.
29. And, as Isaiah hath said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah.
Remind us of prophesies.
The Lord is our planner and provider. Jehovah Jireh! We are kept clean and kept from destruction and falling. He is in control. We are to trust Him at all times.
30. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith:
There is the righteousness which is of faith. It is not so abstract as not for us to reach. Trust in Him!
31. but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
32. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;
People can sought after the wrong way.
it is not a matter of looking at the signs and the traces. It is a matter of believing and trusting in God.
33. even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.
Events follow scriptures.
natural people would stumble over the will of God.
It is required of men to believe, and not to make their own plans apart from God.
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