Romans 9:19

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 9:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?
Romans 9:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou wilt say then unto me, etc..] That is, thou wilt object to me; for this is another objection of the adversary, against the doctrine the apostle was advancing: and it is an objection of a mere natural man, of one given up to a reprobate mind, of an insolent hardened sinner; it discovers the enmity of the carnal mind to God; if is one of the high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of him; it is with a witness a stretching out of the hand against God, and strengthening a man's self against the Almighty; it is a running upon him, even upon the thick bosses of his bucklers; it carries in it the marks of ill nature, surliness, and rudeness, to the last degree: why doth he yet…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt say then unto me, Why--"Why then" is the true reading. doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted--"Who resisteth" his will?--that is, "This doctrine is incompatible with human responsibility"; If God chooses and rejects, pardons and punishes, whom He pleases, why are those blamed who, if rejected by Him, cannot help sinning and perishing? This objection shows quite as conclusively as the former the real nature of the doctrine objected to--that it is Election and Non-election to eternal salvation prior to any difference of personal character; this is the only doctrine that could suggest the objection here stated, and to this doctrine the objection is plausible. What now is the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou wilt say then unto me - The apostle here refers to an objection that might be made to his argument. If the position which he had been endeavoring to establish were true; if God had a purpose in all his dealings with people; if all the revolutions among people happened according to his decree, so that he was not disappointed, or his plan frustrated; and if his own glory was secured in all this, why could he blame people? Why doth he yet find fault? - Why does he blame people, since their conduct is in accordance with his purpose, and since he bestows mercy according to his sovereign will? This objection has been made by sinners in all ages. It is the standing objection against the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Why doth he still find fault - The particle still is strongly expressive of the objector's sour, morose murmuring. For who hath resisted his will - The word his likewise expresses his surliness and aversion to God, whom he does not even deign to name. Romans 9:20”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou: Rom 3:8; Co1 15:12, Co1 15:35; Jam 1:13 Why doth: Rom 3:5-7; Gen 50:20; Ch2 20:6; Job 9:12-15, Job 9:19, Job 23:13, Job 23:14; Psa 76:10; Isa 10:6, Isa 10:7, Isa 46:10, Isa 46:11; Dan 4:35; Mar 14:21; Act 2:23, Act 4:27, Act 4:28 Romans 9:20”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification