New International Version One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” New Living Translation Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” English Standard Version You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” Berean Standard Bible One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” Berean Literal Bible You will say, then, to me, “Why then does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” King James Bible Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? New King James Version You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” New American Standard Bible You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” NASB 1995 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” NASB 1977 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” Legacy Standard Bible You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” Amplified Bible You will say to me then, “Why does He still blame me [for sinning]? For who [including myself] has [ever] resisted His will and purpose?” Berean Annotated Bible One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will? Christian Standard Bible You will say to me, therefore, “Why then does he still find fault? For who resists his will? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible You will say to me, therefore, “Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?” American Standard Version Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? Contemporary English Version Someone may ask, "How can God blame us, if he makes us behave in the way he wants us to?" English Revised Version Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? GOD'S WORD® Translation You may ask me, "Why does God still find fault with anyone? Who can resist whatever God wants to do?" Good News Translation But one of you will say to me, "If this is so, how can God find fault with anyone? Who can resist God's will?" International Standard Version You may ask me, "Then why does God still find fault with anybody? For who can resist his will?" NET Bible You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?" New Heart English Bible You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?" Webster's Bible Translation Thou wilt say then to me, Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his will? Weymouth New Testament "Why then does God still find fault?" you will ask; "for who is resisting His will?" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOne of you will say to me, “Why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” World English Bible You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou will say, then, to me, “Why does He yet find fault? For who has resisted His counsel?” Berean Literal Bible You will say, then, to me, “Why then does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” Young's Literal Translation Thou wilt say, then, to me, 'Why yet doth He find fault? for His counsel who hath resisted?' Smith's Literal Translation Thou wilt then say to me, Why does he yet blame For who has withstood his will? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou wilt say therefore to me: Why doth he then find fault? for who resisteth his will? Catholic Public Domain Version And so, you would say to me: “Then why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” New American Bible You will say to me then, “Why [then] does he still find fault? For who can oppose his will?” New Revised Standard Version You will say to me then, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BiblePerhaps you will say, Why then does he yet find fault? For who can resist his will? Aramaic Bible in Plain English Doubtless you will say, “Why does he find fault, for who stands against his will?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentYou will then say to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will? Godbey New Testament Then thou wilt say to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will? Haweis New Testament Wilt thou then say to me, Why yet doth he blame us? Who hath resisted his will? Mace New Testament But you will object, why does he then find fault? for "who can resist his will?" Weymouth New Testament "Why then does God still find fault?" you will ask; "for who is resisting His will?" Worrell New Testament You will say to me, then, "Why doth He still find fault? for who has withstood His will?" Worsley New Testament Thou wilt say then, Why doth he yet blame us? who hath resisted his will? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Calling of the Gentiles18Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden. 19 One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” 20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”… Cross References One of you will say to me, 1 Corinthians 15:35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Job 21:15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’ “Then why does God still find fault? Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. Job 40:2 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.” Ezekiel 18:25 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? For who can resist His will?” Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. Isaiah 29:16 You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? Job 9:12 If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’ Job 33:13 Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks? Jeremiah 18:6 “O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. Isaiah 10:15 Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood! Treasury of Scripture You will say then to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will? Thou. Romans 3:8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 1 Corinthians 15:12,35 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? … James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Why doth. Romans 3:5-7 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) … Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 2 Chronicles 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Jump to Previous Able Blame Counsel Fault Find Purpose Resist Resisted Resisting Resists Responsible Will Wilt WithstandsJump to Next Able Blame Counsel Fault Find Purpose Resist Resisted Resisting Resists Responsible Will Wilt WithstandsRomans 9 1. Paul is sorry for the Jews.7. All of Abraham not of the promise. 18. God's sovereignty. 25. The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold. 32. The cause of their stumbling. One of you will say to me, Paul anticipates the objection that God’s sovereign purpose appears to remove human responsibility. His argument confronts the natural human impulse to judge God’s actions by human standards. 1Co 15:35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised?”… “Then why does God still find fault? If God hardens whom He chooses, the objector asks how anyone can rightly be held accountable. Pharaoh illustrates the issue: he repeatedly resisted God’s command, and God judicially confirmed him in that rebellion. Rom 3:5 But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God… For who can resist His will?” God’s purposes cannot be defeated, yet people remain responsible for their sinful choices. Paul does not treat God’s sovereignty and human accountability as contradictory; both are presented as true, even where the full workings of God’s will remain beyond human judgment. Dan 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing… Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, addressing the Roman church and tackling deep theological questions about God's sovereignty and human responsibility. 2. The Roman Church The recipients of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who were grappling with issues of faith, law, and grace. 3. God Central to the discussion, as Paul explores His sovereignty, justice, and mercy in the context of salvation and human responsibility. 4. Israel The nation often referenced in Romans 9, as Paul discusses God's promises and the role of Israel in His redemptive plan. 5. Pharaoh Mentioned earlier in Romans 9 as an example of God's sovereign will in hardening hearts to fulfill His purposes. Teaching Points Understanding God's SovereigntyRecognize that God's will is supreme and beyond human challenge. His plans are perfect, even when they are beyond our understanding. Human Responsibility While God is sovereign, humans are still responsible for their actions. This tension calls for humility and trust in God's wisdom. Trust in God's Justice Trust that God is just and righteous in all His ways. His judgments are true, and His purposes are ultimately for good. Embrace Humility Approach theological questions with humility, acknowledging the limits of human understanding and the greatness of God's wisdom. Faith in God's Plan Have faith that God's plan is unfolding according to His perfect will, and that He is working all things for the good of those who love Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Romans 9:19?2. How does Romans 9:19 challenge our understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility? 3. What scriptural connections help explain God's authority over creation in Romans 9:19? 4. How can we apply the message of Romans 9:19 in our daily lives? 5. How does Romans 9:19 encourage trust in God's plan despite human questioning? 6. What practical steps can we take to align with God's will as seen in Romans 9:19? 7. How does Romans 9:19 address the issue of free will versus divine sovereignty? 8. Why does God find fault if no one can resist His will, as stated in Romans 9:19? 9. Does Romans 9:19 imply that humans have no responsibility for their actions? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 9? (19-21) These verses contain the third part of the vindication, which is based upon a possible extension of the objection. Not only might it seem as if this absolute choice and rejection was unjust in itself, but also unjust in its consequences. How can a man be blamed or punished, when his actions are determined for him? The Apostle meets this by a simple but emphatic assertion of the absolute and unquestionable prerogative of God over His creatures.Verse 19. - Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who resisteth his will? Having shown that injustice cannot be imputed to God in hardening as well as having mercy on whom he will, the apostle now meets the supposed difficulty of understanding why men should be held guilty before God for but being as he wills them to be. It is immediately suggested by Pharaoh's case, which led to the conclusion, ὅν θέλει σκληρύνει; but the apostle foresees that an objection might be raised on this ground to his finding fault with the Jews for rejecting Christ, and them he especially has in view in what follows. It may be observed here that there is undoubtedly a difficulty to the human mind in reconciling theoretically Divine omnipotence with human free-will and responsibility. (On the general question, see notes on ch. 8.) St. Paul here, after his manner, does not attempt to solve the general problem, confining himself for the present to the Divine side of it. His answer, in vers. 20, 21, is simply to the effect that God has the absolute right as well as power to deal with his own creation as he pleases, and that man is in no position to "contend with the Almighty" (see Job 40:2). He brings in from the prophets the illustration of the potter's power and right over the clay, which he fashions and deals with as he chooses. It will be seen, however, as we go on, that this illustration by no means involves, as by some it has been supposed to do, the idea of rejection and condemnation irrespectively of desert. Romans 9:19 voices a natural human protest: If God’s sovereign will prevails, how can He hold people responsible? Paul acknowledges the question, upholds God’s right to judge, and maintains human accountability. Scripture’s consistent witness is that God’s will is indeed irresistible, yet He calls each person to repent and believe. Instead of pitting sovereignty against responsibility, the verse invites us to trust the righteous character of God who weaves both truths together for His glory and our good. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek One of you will sayἘρεῖς (Ereis) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 2046: Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say. to me, μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. “Then οὖν (oun) Conjunction Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. why Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. does [God] still find fault? μέμφεται (memphetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3201: To blame, censure, find fault. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to blame. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. who τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. can resist ἀνθέστηκεν (anthestēken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 436: To set against; I withstand, resist, oppose. From anti and histemi; to stand against, i.e. Oppose. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. will?” βουλήματι (boulēmati) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 1013: Will, counsel, purpose. From boulomai; a resolve. Additonal Resources Romans 9:19 Blue Letter BibleRomans 9:19 Bible Gateway Romans 9:19 Bible.com Romans 9:19 NIV |
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