Romans 9:16

“So then it is not of him that willeth, etc..] This is not a consequence drawn by an adversary, showing that if this be the case, it signifies nothing for men to will or do, they may even sit still and do nothing, but depend on the mercy of God; but this is a conclusion of the apostle's from the above cited testimony, inferring from thence, that election, which is what he is discoursing of, is “not of him that willeth”, nor of him that runneth: that is, is not owing to the will or works of men, to the desires, inclinations, and affections of their minds, or to the actions of their lives; these are not the motives, conditions, or causes of this act: but of God that sheweth mercy; in a free…”

“So then it is not of him that willeth--hath the inward desire nor of him that runneth--maketh active effort (compare Co1 9:24, Co1 9:26; Phi 2:16; Phi 3:14). Both these are indispensable to salvation, yet salvation is owing to neither, but is purely "of God that showeth mercy." See on Phi 2:12-13, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: for it is God which, out of His own good pleasure, worketh in you both to will and to do."”

“So then - It follows as a consequence from this statement of God to Moses. Or it is a doctrine established by that statement. Not of him that willeth - This does not mean that he that becomes a Christian, and is saved, does not choose eternal life; or is not made willing; or that he is compelled to enter heaven against his own choice. It is true that people by nature have no desire of holiness, and do not choose eternal life. But the effect of the influences of God’s Spirit on the heart is to make it “willing in the day of his power;” Psalms 110:3. The meaning here is evidently, that eternal life is not bestowed because man had any original willingness or disposition to be saved; it is not…”

“It - The blessing. Therefore is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth - It is not the effect either of the will or the works of man, but of the grace and power of God. The will of man is here opposed to the grace of God, and man's running, to the divine operation. And this general declaration respects not only Isaac and Jacob, and the Israelites in the time of Moses, but likewise all the spiritual children of Abraham, even to the end of the world. Romans 9:17”

“Rom 9:11; Gen 27:1-4, Gen 27:9-14; Psa 110:3; Isa 65:1; Mat 11:25, Mat 11:26; Luk 10:21; Joh 1:12, Joh 1:13, Joh 3:8; Co1 1:26-31; Eph 2:4, Eph 2:5; Phi 2:13; Th2 2:13, Th2 2:14; Tit 3:3-5; Jam 1:18; Pe1 2:9, Pe1 2:10 Romans 9:17”