Romans 9:22

“What if God, willing to show his wrath, etc..] The apostle proceeds to clear God from any charge of cruelty and unmercifulness, by observing his conduct in time, both towards those he passes by, and towards those he chooses; for in this and the following verse, nothing is said relating to any act of God before time, everything of that kind being considered already. In this verse, the apostle considers the conduct of God towards the vessels of dishonour; and let it be observed, that these are called vessels of wrath fitted for destruction; they are said to be vessels, and so no longer considered in the clay, in the mass and heap of creatureship, but as creatures formed and made, and brought…”

“What if God, willing to show--"designing to manifest" his wrath--His holy displeasure against sin. and to make his power--to punish it known endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath--that is, "destined to wrath"; just as "vessels of mercy," in Rom 9:23, mean "vessels destined to mercy"; compare Eph 2:3, "children of wrath." fitted for destruction--It is well remarked by STUART that the "difficulties which such statements involve are not to be got rid of by softening the language of one text, while so many others meet us which are of the same tenor; and even if we give up the Bible itself, so long as we acknowledge an omnipotent and omniscient God we cannot abate in the least…”

“What if God ... - If God does what the apostle supposes, what then? Is it not right? This is the second point in the answer to the objection in Romans 9:19. The answer has respect to the “two classes” of people which actually exist on the earth - the righteous and the wicked. And the question is, whether “in regard to these two classes God does in fact do wrong?” If he does not, then the doctrine of the apostle is established, and the objection is not valid. It is assumed here, as it must be, that the world is “in fact” divided into two classes - saints and sinners. The apostle considers the case of sinners in Romans 9:22. Willing - Being disposed; having an inclination to. It denotes an…”

“What if God, being willing - Referring to Rom 9:18-19. That is, although it was now his will, because of their obstinate unbelief, To show his wrath - Which necessarily presupposes sin. And to make his power known - This is repeated from Rom 9:17. Yet endured - As he did Pharaoh. With much longsuffering - Which should have led them to repentance. The vessels of wrath - Those who had moved his wrath by still rejecting his mercy. Fitted for destruction - By their own wilful and final impenitence. Is there any injustice in this ? Romans 9:23”

“willing: Rom 9:17, Rom 1:18, Rom 2:4, Rom 2:5; Exo 9:16; Psa 90:11; Pro 16:4; Rev 6:16, Rev 6:17 endured: Num 14:11, Num 14:18; Psa 50:21, Psa 50:22; Ecc 8:11, Ecc 8:12; Lam 3:22; Pe1 3:20; Pe2 2:3, Pe2 2:9; Pe2 3:8, Pe2 3:9, Pe2 3:15; Jde 1:4; Rev 6:9-11 the vessels: The Apostle, by employing the appellation of the vessels of wrath, carries on the similitude of the potter, by which he had illustrated the sovereignty of God. Rom 9:21; Th1 5:9; Ti2 2:20 fitted: or, made up, Gen 15:16; Mat 23:31-33; Th1 2:16; Pe1 2:8; Jde 1:4 Romans 9:23”