Romans 9 23

Romans 9:23 kjv

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Romans 9:23 nkjv

and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

Romans 9:23 niv

What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory?

Romans 9:23 esv

in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory ?

Romans 9:23 nlt

He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 23 Meaning

Romans 9:23 explains God's purpose in creating "vessels of mercy." Following the contrast with "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction," this verse highlights God's intent to graciously bestow His abundant glory upon those whom He, in His sovereign mercy, has predestined. It emphasizes that these individuals are not self-made but are divinely prepared recipients of His glorious character and saving grace, destined for an ultimate state of glory. God's glory is both the means and the end, displayed through His compassionate act of preparing and revealing His splendor to those chosen by His mercy.

Romans 9 23 Context

Romans chapter 9 forms a crucial part of Paul's extended argument (chapters 9-11) addressing the issue of Israel's national unbelief and God's faithfulness to His promises. Immediately preceding verse 23, Paul establishes God's absolute sovereignty over creation and destiny, using the metaphor of the potter and the clay (Rom 9:19-21). He speaks of God creating "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction" (Rom 9:22) as part of His purpose to demonstrate His wrath and power. Romans 9:23 then directly contrasts with this, presenting the counterpoint: God's desire to display the "riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy." The chapter moves on to illustrate how this divine plan includes both Jew and Gentile, further reinforcing God's prerogative to show mercy on whomever He chooses, ultimately leading to a discussion of Gentile inclusion and Israel's partial hardening. Historically, this passage spoke to early Christians, both Jewish and Gentile, addressing deep-seated questions about God's election and the inclusion of non-Jews into His covenant people, refuting notions of automatic entitlement based on ancestry alone.

Romans 9 23 Word analysis

• And that He might make known (καὶ ἵνα γνωρίσῃ – kai hina gnōrisē): This conjunction and verb phrase signify God's active and deliberate purpose. The Greek term gnōrizō means "to cause to know, make known, declare, reveal." It's not passive reception but an intentional divine act of manifestation. God Himself is the subject of this action. It implies a display for observation, an unveiling of truth.
• The riches (τὸν πλοῦτον – ton plouton): The Greek ploutos means "abundance, wealth, riches." Here, it's used metaphorically to denote the lavish, overflowing, boundless nature of God's glory. It signifies not merely a quantity but an immeasurable and inherent quality of magnificence. This emphasizes the superlative degree of His glory, beyond human comprehension or measurement.
• Of His glory (τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ – tēs doxēs autou): Doxa means "glory, splendor, honor, renown." In a theological context, it refers to the radiant majesty and inherent excellence of God, His intrinsic worth, attributes, and perfection. The phrase "riches of His glory" therefore describes the profound, manifold, and majestic fullness of God's character and being. This glory is inherent to God ("His glory").
• Upon vessels (ἐπὶ σκεύη – epi skeuē): The preposition epi signifies "upon" or "unto." Skeuos means "vessel, implement, instrument, container." This is part of the recurring pottery metaphor from Jer 18 and Rom 9:21. It speaks of individuals as mere created beings, not as active agents in their own destiny but as objects crafted by a higher power, capable of holding or displaying something. They are recipients.
• Of mercy (ἐλέους – eleous): Eleos signifies "mercy, compassion, pity, kindness." This is the defining characteristic of these "vessels." Unlike the "vessels of wrath" in v. 22, their very identity and purpose are rooted in God's undeserved kindness and compassion. They are recipients of mercy, having nothing in themselves to merit it. Their state is a gift.
• Which He had prepared beforehand (ἃ προητοίμασεν – ha proētoimasen): The Greek verb proetoimazō means "to prepare beforehand, make ready in advance." The aorist tense indicates a decisive past action by God. The "He" is explicitly God. This crucial phrase signifies God's pre-ordained, sovereign act in preparing these vessels for a specific end. It highlights divine initiative and predestination. The pro- (before) prefix reinforces that this preparation happened before they existed or their deeds, establishing God's eternal counsel.
• For glory (εἰς δόξαν – eis doxan): The preposition eis denotes "unto" or "for the purpose of." These vessels of mercy are prepared not only by God's glory (through His merciful intervention) but also for glory as their ultimate destiny. This "glory" is multifaceted, referring both to the glorification of God through them and their own eschatological transformation into glory (cf. Rom 8:30). It is the culmination of God's redemptive purpose.

Romans 9 23 Bonus section

The active role of "He" (God) in "making known" and "preparing beforehand" is central to understanding divine sovereignty in this verse. It explicitly contrasts with the passive state of the "vessels of wrath" in the previous verse, who are described as merely "prepared for destruction" (Rom 9:22), without explicitly stating who prepared them in that verse. Here, God is the clear agent. The Greek word proetoimazō (to prepare beforehand) found here is critical; it is not just toimazō (to prepare). The "pre-" implies an eternal purpose or prior determination before their existence or choices. This deepens the concept of divine election. While this verse highlights God's preparatory work for glory, the larger context of Romans explains that this "glory" ultimately finds its complete fulfillment in Christ and is mediated through faith (Rom 3:23-26, Rom 8:30). The display of God's glory is intrinsically tied to His mercy in saving the unworthy, thereby magnifying His character above all.

Romans 9 23 Commentary

Romans 9:23 elucidates God's profound redemptive purpose. After addressing His sovereign power in allowing "vessels of wrath" to demonstrate His judgment, Paul pivots to God's gracious intent to manifest His boundless "riches of His glory" through those whom He has chosen for mercy. These "vessels of mercy" are individuals whose very existence and destiny are founded not on their own merit or effort, but entirely on God's compassionate and undeserved favor (eleous). The phrase "He had prepared beforehand" (proētoimasen) unequivocally emphasizes divine initiative, signifying God's eternal election and sovereign work in setting these individuals apart for this glorious end. This preparation is for a glorious destiny—a participation in God's own glory, and also a means for God to be glorified through them. The verse ultimately declares that God's plan involves not just judgment for sin but also the magnificent display of His grace, goodness, and ultimate worth to, and through, those He mercifully calls and readies for a glorious future. It's a statement about the sovereign display of divine attributes through chosen humanity.