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Romans 9:20

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 9:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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?
Romans 9:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?
20Nay 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?
21Or 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?
22What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction:
23and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,
← Romans 9:19Romans 9:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? etc..] Or “answerest again to God”: some have been so weak and wicked as to suggest, that the apostle met with an objection he could not answer, or give a fair solution of, and therefore takes the method he does: but when the several things returned in answer by the apostle are considered, it will appear that he has taken the wisest method to silence such an audacious objector, and that he abundantly clears God from the charge of cruelty and unmercifulness. And he answers “first”, by putting the insolent creature in mind of what he was; “nay, but O man, who art thou?” etc.. Thou art man, and not God; a creature, and not the Creator; and…”
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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
“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--"didst thou make" me thus?-- (Isa 45:9).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Nay but, O man ... - To this objection the apostle replies in two ways; first, by asserting the sovereignty of God, and affirming that he had a right to do it Romans 9:20-21; and secondly, by showing that he did it according to the principles of justice and mercy, or that it was involved of necessity in his dispensing justice and mercy to mankind; Romans 9:22-24. Who art thou ... - Paul here strongly reproves the impiety and wickedness of arraigning God. This impiety appears, (1) Because man is a creature of arraigning God. This impiety appears, Because man is a creature of God, and it is improper that he should arraign his Maker. (2) He is unqualified to understand the subject. “Who art…”
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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
“Nay, but who art thou, O man - Little, impotent, ignorant man. That repliest against God - That accusest God of injustice, for himself fixing the terms on which he will show mercy? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus - Why hast thou made me capable of honour and immortality, only by believing? Romans 9:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:20-21 See Isa 29:16; 45:9-10.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“O man: Rom 2:1; Mic 6:8; Co1 7:16; Jam 2:20 who art: Job 33:13, Job 36:23, Job 38:2, Job 38:3, Job 40:2, Job 40:5, Job 40:8, Job 42:2-6; Mat 20:15 repliest: or, answerest again, Job 16:3; Tit 2:9, or, disputes with God, Co1 1:20; Ti1 6:5 Shall: Isa 29:16, Isa 45:9-11 Romans 9:21”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 9 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification