The Difficulty of Paul’s Teaching in Romans 9

Paul’s teaching in Romans 9 gets right to the heart of the disagreement between those who embrace the free will doctrine of salvation,

 

and those who say the Bible teaches that it is ultimately God’s election and calling of an individual that determines whether or not they will be saved. Romans 9:6-24 is probably the most difficult passage to explain for those who adhere to the belief that a man’s salvation rests ultimately with his own decision to either accept or reject Christ.

 

Despite the clarity of Paul’s language in this passage, and the scriptural examples that he used to communicate his point, some will still object to the teaching found here, and in numerous other passages of Scripture. As we discussed previously, within the context of this passage itself, Paul anticipated and fully expected that many would object to what he was teaching as being unjust and unreasonable.

 

The objection was then, and is still today, to Paul’s teaching of God’s sovereign choice of a particular people who receive His mercy and are called to faith in Christ, while others do not receive God’s mercy, but are actually hardened by God Himself (Romans 9:18). In an effort to make objections to this teaching valid, an attempt must be made to interpret certain Scripture passages, especially Romans 9:6-24, in such a way as to support the free will doctrine of salvation.

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Romans 1Romans 9
Romans 2 Romans 10
Romans 3 Romans 11
Romans 4 Romans 12
Romans 5 Romans 13
Romans 6 Romans 14
Romans 7 Romans 15
Romans 8 Romans 16
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