Romans 9:1-29

Is it possible that God loves some people and not others?

This is the question that is answered in chapter 9 of Romans as Paul languishes over the distance of his own people [Israel] from the love and mercy of God. We see the incredible empathy Paul has for his own people as he wishes he himself could be "cursed forever" and separated from Christ if it meant that his people would draw near to Christ.

Chapters 9-11 of Romans address the issue of whether Israel will make it in the end? In beginning his rebuttal to this pending question, Paul focuses in chapter 9 on what causes us [both Jew and Gentile] to "receive God's promise." [verse 16] Underlying this argument is the other half of the conversation that we are not hearing. This other half is the discussion going on in the Roman churches. All along we have been pin pointing the strife between the Gentile and Jewish groups in the churches in Rome. Given Paul's focus on defining God's sovereignty [His freedom to do whatever He wants having to answer to no one] within God's character of love and mercy in chapter 9, the discussion going on in the Roman churches can be reconstructed to sound something like this: The Gentiles were arguing that God sovereignly chose them over the Jews as the receivers of grace forcing the Jews into a state of unbelief and eventual destruction. The Jewish rebuttal to this may have sounded something like this: God has not chosen us for destruction but historically has chosen us as His people who bear His law. [remember that this has been the argument from the beginning of the letter. Review chapter 3 especially for a refresher on this]

When you keep this conversation in mind, reading chapter 9 is less confusing. From verses 1-14, Paul argues for the fact that "election" [meaning God setting apart people for himself] is not based on blood lineage but rather on promise. This rings true in the beginning story of Israel, particularly in the life of Abraham and the birth of Isaac. God's election comes not because of following the law [and so Ishmael being the son who bears the inheritance] but of God's gift of Isaac. ["It is the children of the promise who are considered to be Abraham's children." verse 8b] In verse 16, you get a conclusion to the argument in vv.1-14 - "So receiving God's promise is not up to us. We can't get it by choosing it or working hard for it. God will show mercy to anyone he chooses."

Verse 16 transitions into Paul setting the argument of God's sovereignty within the argument of promise that I've described above. Paul says, "Yes - God is sovereign, and the amazing thing about God's sovereignty is that he chooses to "love everyone." The Gentiles probably used the story of God hardening Pharoah's heart as evidence that God does make some reject Him. Paul says don't use this as a pretext for understanding God's sovereignty. ["No, don't say that!" verse 20a] God's sovereignty must always be viewed in the context of how God comes to us. Yes God has every right to make some vessels for noble use and some vessels form ordinary use but - as Paul emphasizes starting verse 22b - "but he also has the right to be very patient with those who are objects of his judgment and are fit only for destruction. He also has the right to pour out the riches of his glory upon those he prepared to be the objects of his mercy - even upon us, who he selected, both from the Jews and the Gentiles."

From verses 25 - 29, Paul then refers to passages in the Old Testament that show how God had mercy on both groups [Gentiles and Jews]. Paul will describe later in Chapter 11:11 that the apparent rejection in Israel of God made room for the Gentiles to come close to God but this does not mean that God has rejected Israel forever. The Gentiles will return the favour to Israel and will be instrumental in drawing Israel close to God.

To answer the question I posed at the beginning, the answer is "NO." God does not choose some to love and others to hate and reject. God's plan is far more comprehensive and all embracing. In Paul's heart and mind, he is convinced that in the end God will receive both Gentiles and Jews and they will respond in hordes. The danger is when we say God works in a way that favours one group over the other. This is not God's heart and it is not what God has chosen [elected]. A reference back to chapter 3 emphasizes that "all have sinned" and in Christ, "all are saved."

Questions to consider:

1. What part does Israel play in God's plan of salvation?

2. Review the context in which God's sovereignty is to be viewed?

3. What is the nature of God's "choosing?"