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Romans 9:15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 9:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.
Romans 9:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.
16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.
17For 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.
18So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth.
← Romans 9:14Romans 9:16 →
← Full Chapter 9 Romans Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For he saith to Moses, etc..] That is, God said to Moses. The apostle goes on to answer to the above objections, by producing some testimonies out of the writings of Moses, in favour of both branches of predestination; showing, that the doctrine he had advanced, was no other than what God himself had delivered to Moses, whose name and writings were in great esteem with the Jews, whereby the apostle might hope to give full satisfaction in this point. The first passage he cites, is in (<023319>Exodus 33:19). And will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. This is produced, in favour of special, particular, and personal election, and to clear it…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For he saith to Moses-- (Exo 33:19). I will have mercy on whom I will have--"on whom I have" mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have--"on whom I have" compassion--"There can be no unrighteousness in God's choosing whom He will, for to Moses He expressly claims the right to do so." Yet it is worthy of notice that this is expressed in the positive rather than the negative form: not, "I will have mercy on none but whom I will"; but, "I will have mercy on whomsoever I will."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For he saith to Moses - Exodus 33:19. I will have mercy - This is said by God when he declared expressly that he would make all his goodness pass before Moses Exodus 33:19, and when, therefore, it was regarded, not as a proof of stern and inexorable justice, but as “the very proof of his benevolence,” and the highest which he thought proper to exhibit. When people, therefore, under the influence of an unrenewed and hosthe heart, charge this as an unjust and arbitrary proceeding, they are resisting and perverting what God regards as the very demonstration of his benevolence. The sense of the passage clearly is, that he would choose the objects of his favor, and bestow his mercies as he chose.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Exo 33:19. Romans 9:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:15 This quotation from Exod 33:19 focuses on God’s nature: God is free from obligation or constraint in bestowing mercy on people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will have: Rom 9:16, Rom 9:18, Rom 9:19; Exo 33:19, Exo 34:6, Exo 34:7; Isa 27:11; Mic 7:18 Romans 9:16”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification