Romans 9:16 kjv
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Romans 9:16 nkjv
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
Romans 9:16 niv
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
Romans 9:16 esv
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Romans 9:16 nlt
So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
Romans 9 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 9:11 | ...though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue... | Election based on purpose, not deeds. |
| Gal 3:18 | For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise. But God gave it to Abraham by a promise. | Inheritance by promise, not law. |
| John 1:12-13 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man... | Born of God, not human will. |
| John 15:16 | You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit... | Christ chose the disciples. |
| Eph 1:4-5 | ...even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will... | Chosen before foundation, predestined. |
| Tit 3:5 | he saved us, not because of works done in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit... | Saved by mercy, not righteous works. |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began... | Called by His purpose and grace. |
| Acts 13:48 | And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. | Appointed to eternal life. |
| Jer 31:3 | The Lord appeared to me from of old, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." | God's everlasting love. |
| Hos 11:1 | "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." | God's fatherly love for Israel. |
| Matt 11:26 | yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. | God's gracious will. |
| John 3:8 | The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. | Spirit's sovereign action. |
| Acts 16:14 | ...and a woman named Lydia, a seller of purple goods, from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God, was listening to the things said by Paul. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. | God opening hearts. |
| Rom 11:5-6 | So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. | Grace versus works. |
| Phil 2:13 | ...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for his good pleasure. | God works both will and deed. |
| Col 1:16 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. | God's ultimate sovereignty. |
| 1 Cor 4:7 | For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? | All received from God. |
| Rom 9:18 | Consequently, he has mercy on whom he wills, and he hardens whom he wills. | Explicit statement of God's mercy and hardening. |
| John 6:44 | No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. | Divine drawing required for coming to Jesus. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Salvation by grace through faith, a gift. |
Romans 9 verses
Romans 9 16 Meaning
Romans 9:16 states that God's election is not based on human will or exertion, but on His mercy. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign choice in salvation, irrespective of human effort. It is about divine prerogative and compassionate selection, not earned merit.
Romans 9 16 Context
This verse is situated within Romans chapter 9, where Paul grapples with the perplexing issue of God's sovereign plan of salvation in light of Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ. Paul uses the examples of Jacob and Esau to illustrate that God's selection for salvation is not based on lineage or perceived merit, but on His own free choice. He anticipates objections that this doctrine might imply God is unjust. The preceding verses discuss God's choosing of Jacob over Esau even before their birth, highlighting God's unilateral election. Following this verse, Paul asserts God's right to show mercy and to harden hearts.
Romans 9 16 Word Analysis
- οὐκ (ouk): Not. A straightforward negation.
- ἐστιν (estin): is. The third-person singular present indicative of the verb "to be."
- τοῦ (tou): of. A genitive definite article.
- θέλοντος (thelontos): willing. The genitive participle of the verb "thelo" (to will, to desire, to want). Refers to the desire or intention of a person.
- οὐδὲ (oude): nor. Connects the negation to the following noun.
- τοῦ (tou): of. A genitive definite article.
- τρεχοντος (trechontos): running. The genitive participle of the verb "trecho" (to run, to strive, to hasten). Here, it metaphorically refers to human effort, exertion, or striving.
Words Group Analysis:
- "τοῦ θέλοντος οὐδὲ τοῦ τρεχοντος" (tou thelontos oude tou trechontos): "neither of the one willing nor of the one running." This phrase idiomatically captures the idea of human volition and striving. It's a comprehensive way of saying "not by human choice or effort." The chosen participles effectively represent the totality of human will and action aimed at achieving something, in this case, potentially spiritual favor or salvation.
Romans 9 16 Bonus Section
This verse challenges a purely human-centric view of salvation, often referred to as synergism, where salvation is seen as an equal partnership between God and humans. Instead, Paul presents a strong case for monergism, where God is the sole efficient agent in salvation. The imagery of "running" evokes the intensity of human endeavor, but even intense effort is insufficient apart from God's initiated mercy. This principle is consistently demonstrated throughout Scripture, from God's calling of Abraham (Gen 12) to His electing the remnant in Isaiah's time (Isa 10:22).
Romans 9 16 Commentary
Paul clarifies that salvation is a gift of God's mercy, not an achievement stemming from human desire or physical effort. This counters any notion that salvation can be earned or compelled by man's will. God's choice is paramount, rooted in His sovereign prerogative and initiated by His mercy. It underscores that our spiritual blessings originate entirely from Him.