Romans 9:12 - 29: The Sovereignty of God in Election & Restoration, Part 2:

We continue in the 9th chapter of Romans where the Apostle Paul reveals the doctrine of the Sovereignty of God in Election and Restoration, which has caused misunderstandings and divisions in the Christian community for 1900 years or so. Part of the problem is that some either don’t recognize or don’t want to admit the human condition. This is evidenced when, at the mere mention of election, they respond that they know God didn’t arbitrarily choose for them to go to heaven and condemn others to hell. They apparently don’t understand that everyone, Jew or Gentile, is under sin, Romans 3:99 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

; “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10 - 1210 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

. The phrase “as it is written” here refers to several passages in the Old Testament (OT); Psalms 14:2 - 32 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

; Psalms 53:2 - 42 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

; Ecclesiastes 7:2020 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

. The fact is that mankind is estranged from God; everyone is born a sinner, Psalms 51:55 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

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Like it or not, even those who outwardly appear to be outstanding nice people, if they are not believers, not only are not righteous before God, but they don’t even seek after Him. They live “according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in (them, because they are) the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:22 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

b, and they are unable to change themselves, Jeremiah 13:2323 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

; Jeremiah 17:55 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

. Every believer was at one time in this lost condition before they came to believe the Gospel, Ephesians 2:1 - 31 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

. Therefore, God didn’t choose that they will go to hell, everyone is on their way there unless they truly believe the Gospel; which is all they have to do to be saved, Acts 16:3232 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

. Their salvation can only be accomplished by faith of Jesus Christ, Romans 3:2222 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

, see also Romans 4:1111 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

; Romans 4:2424 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

; Romans 10:99 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

; 1 Corinthians 1:2121 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

; 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

; Galatians 3:2222 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

; 1 Thessalonians 2:1313 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

; 1 Timothy 1:1616 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

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Chapters 9, 10 and 11 of Romans resolves the issue of how the special privileges God promised to the Nation of Israel will be fulfilled in light of the teaching in the previous 8 chapters about justification for both Jew and Gentile by grace through faith, apart from works (see also Ephesians 2:8 - 98 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

). Chapter 9 discusses Israel past and we covered Romans 9:1 - 111 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

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

4 Who are Israelites; 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;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

8 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.

9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

11 (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;)

in our last study. Today, we continue at the recounting of Rebecca conceiving twins by 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;) Romans 9:1111 (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;)

. The Greek translated “election” here means “a picking out, selection, then, selection made, that which is chosen.” God picked out, selected, elected Jacob before he and Esau were born: “It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Romans 9:12 - 1312 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

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

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Some may claim this unfair, as if they have standing to say to the God who created this Universe and all within is unfair. Anyone who believes this is mistaken, as the account proceeds: “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 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. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew 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? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against 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?” Romans 9:14 - 2114 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15 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.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

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If mankind were sinless, he might have standing to criticize God for electing some, but the fact is that all mankind is a big lump of sinful clay fitted for destruction. Therefore, it is not unjust for God to make some of that clay into vessels of mercy. ** Those who think God was not fair to love Jacob and hate Esau before they were born don’t understand that God knew them before they were born: “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his (own) birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Hebrews 12:16 - 1716 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

. Jacob was not perfect, just as no one except Jesus Christ has ever been perfect, but Jacob believed God and his faith was counted for righteousness. Regarding Esau selling his birthright for one meal: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost,” Romans 14:1717 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

. Obviously, Esau valued a meal before faith in God.

God, willing to show wrath and make His power known, endured with longsuffering (over a long period of time) those unbelievers (without faith) who were prepared for perdition or destruction (hell), Romans 9:2222 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

. God held off judging sinful humanity, both Jews and Gentiles who had a chance to believe and be saved just as a sick person has a chance to follow doctor’s orders, take the cure for their disease and be healed. But they refused to believe God’s Word and be saved. Thus, God endured with longsuffering those bound for hell: “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” Romans 9:23 - 2423 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

. The election out of the Gentiles is first mentioned here in this chapter. However, had only those among the Gentiles been saved, God’s promise to Abraham would have failed. Therefore, the doctrine of the sovereignty of God in election based on grace, reconciles the “no difference” between Jew and Gentile of Romans chapters 1 to 8 with the promises God gave Abraham, Romans 9:3 - 63 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

4 Who are Israelites; 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;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

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Just as some Gentiles are called of God, so are some Jews called out of Israel: “As he saith also in Osee, (Hosea) I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.” Romans 9:2525 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

, from . Hosea’s prophesy refers to the fact that not all Israel are saved into the Christ’s earthly Kingdom when He returns to reign after the Tribulation and during the Millennium. Many Jews will perish because of their unbelief (lack of faith) but there will be a remnant of Israel saved out of that Nation who will reign with the Lord Jesus Christ. “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.” Romans 9:2626 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.

, from Hosea 1:9 - 109 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

: “Then said God, Call his name Loammi: (meaning “not my people”) for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.”

To explain this, Paul writes next: “Esaias (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: 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 Esaias (Isaiah) said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.” Romans 9:27 - 2927 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

, from Isaiah 10:22 - 2322 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.

. God promised Abraham that his offspring would be as the sand of the sea, which will come to pass. However, many of them from the past all the way to the present are unbelievers and will go to hell, just as Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed. But God promised a seed of blessing to Israel and that Seed is Jesus Christ and God has and will save many Jews who are saved by the faith of Jesus Christ, just as He has saved many among the Gentiles: Romans 3:22 - 3022 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

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* Other passages attesting to mankind’s depravity; Mark 7:21 - 2321 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

; John 3:1919 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

; John 3:2727 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

; Romans 2:11 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

; Romans 3:2323 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

; Romans 5:1212 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

; Romans 7:1414 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

; Romans 8:77 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

; Titus 1:15 - 1615 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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** George Williams Complete Bible Commentary, pages 868 - 869.