Romans 9 22

Romans 9:22 kjv

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Romans 9:22 nkjv

What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

Romans 9:22 niv

What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath?prepared for destruction?

Romans 9:22 esv

What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

Romans 9:22 nlt

In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 22 Meaning

Romans 9:22 is a rhetorical question that illustrates God's sovereign right and purpose in deferring judgment. It reveals that God, in His absolute wisdom, endures "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction" with immense patience, delaying their merited judgment. This delay is purposeful, serving to display His righteous wrath against sin and to make known His supreme power, ultimately paving the way for the greater revelation of His glory upon those destined for mercy.

Romans 9 22 Context

Romans chapter 9 forms a critical part of Paul's intricate theological defense of God's justice and faithfulness, particularly concerning Israel's standing as the chosen people, despite their widespread rejection of Jesus as Messiah. Following his expression of deep anguish over Israel (vv.1-5), Paul begins to address the apparent contradiction between God's promises and Israel's unbelief. He argues for God's sovereign election, illustrating it with the examples of Jacob and Esau (vv.10-13) and Pharaoh (vv.17-18). The core message emphasizes God's unassailable right as the Divine Potter (vv.20-21) to make vessels for differing purposes. Verse 22 continues this defense, portraying God's immense patience with those fitted for destruction, thus preparing the way for the profound contrast of His mercy shown to "vessels of mercy" in the subsequent verse (v.23). Historically, this passage countered the Jewish belief that national heritage guaranteed salvation, affirming that God's plan transcended ethnic identity and rested purely on His sovereign will.

Romans 9 22 Word analysis

• "What if God" (τί εἰ ὁ θεός, ti ei ho theos): This is a strong rhetorical query, not an inquisitive question but a challenge. Paul uses it to assert that God's actions are beyond human questioning and are always justifiable, implying divine prerogative and purpose.

• "desiring to show" (θέλων ἐνδείξασθαι, thelōn endeixasthai): This signifies God's deliberate, active intent and will. God is not passive but purposefully seeking to manifest or put on display. Endeixasthai emphasizes the public and clear demonstration of His attributes.

• "His wrath" (τὴν ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ, tēn orgēn autou): This refers to God's holy, righteous indignation and judgment against sin, an intrinsic aspect of His divine justice. It is not human temper but perfect and consistent opposition to ungodliness.

• "and to make His power known" (γνωρίσαι τὸ δυνατὸν αὐτοῦ, gnōrisai to dynaton autou): God's intention to fully reveal His sovereign might, authority, and capability. This demonstration includes His power in delaying judgment, orchestrating events, and executing His ultimate purposes.

• "endured" (ἤνεγκεν, ēnegken): Derived from pherō (to bear, carry), this verb indicates God actively sustained or tolerated. It emphasizes a deliberate, patient bearing with those who justly deserve wrath, rather than an immediate outpouring of judgment.

• "with much patience" (ἐν πολλῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, en pollē makrothymia): Makrothymia denotes "long-suffering" or "great forbearance." This phrase highlights the profound depth and extended duration of God's patience, allowing a period of grace or at least a full manifestation of His attributes before judgment.

• "vessels of wrath" (σκεύη ὀργῆς, skeuē orgēs): A metaphor. "Vessels" (skeuē) implies instruments or containers, indicating these individuals serve a divine purpose in the grand cosmic scheme. "Of wrath" signifies their nature or destination – they are rightfully due God's wrath because of their sin and rebellion.

• "prepared for destruction" (κατηρτισμένα εἰς ἀπώλειαν, katērtismena eis apōleian):

  • Katērtismena: A perfect passive participle of katartizō ("to fit, equip, prepare, complete"). The perfect tense denotes a settled state or condition. The passive voice ("prepared" or "fitted") leads to interpretive discussions. It could suggest that they "fitted themselves" for destruction by their sin, or that they are "divinely fitted" for destruction by God's sovereign will as the Potter, or simply in their fallen nature are "constituted" for destruction. The context of divine potter's right (vv.20-21) supports a divine arrangement.
  • Apōleian: This means utter ruin, eternal perishing, often understood as separation from God's presence, rather than mere annihilation. It describes the irreversible, final, devastating outcome of divine judgment.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "What if God... endured with much patience": This juxtaposition powerfully emphasizes God's incredible forbearance. Despite His ultimate authority and right to judge, His nature is one of active and prolonged patience towards those deserving of wrath.
  • "desiring to show His wrath and to make His power known": These two co-equal desires outline God's sovereign purpose in His dealings. His actions, even delaying judgment, are not arbitrary but aimed at perfectly manifesting His essential attributes: His justice (wrath) and His omnipotence (power).
  • "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction": This stark phrase encapsulates the condition of humanity outside of Christ—fitted by their nature, actions, and possibly God's decree for divine judgment. It underscores the severity of their deserved end and makes God's "much patience" even more profound.

Romans 9 22 Bonus section

The rhetorical question "What if?" acts as a polemic against human questioning of God's divine justice, a key theme running through Romans. The passage implicitly links human culpability for sin (as established in Rom 1-3) with God's sovereign right to determine destinies. The contrast between the passive "prepared" for destruction in verse 22 and the active "He prepared beforehand" for vessels of mercy in verse 23 is a significant point of theological discussion, highlighting the nuances of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The purpose of displaying wrath and power in this context is not gratuitous but essential for demonstrating God's justice, especially before the glorification of "vessels of mercy." Without the backdrop of just wrath, God's mercy loses its profound significance.

Romans 9 22 Commentary

Romans 9:22 is a challenging but foundational verse, affirming God's unquestionable sovereignty in His interaction with creation. Paul posits a scenario where God, though possessing every right and capability to immediately unleash His holy wrath, deliberately chooses immense patience towards individuals described as "vessels of wrath." These individuals are in a state "prepared for destruction," meaning they are deserving of judgment and destined for eternal ruin. This divine patience, however, is not a sign of weakness or indecision but a purposeful act to publicly demonstrate God's righteous wrath against sin and to manifest His incomparable power. It implies that the duration of these individuals' lives, their enduring rejection of God, and their ultimate judgment are all part of a larger divine plan to reveal God's attributes, particularly contrasting His justice with the mercy soon to be highlighted.