Romans IX (Introduction)

Why write about this chapter?

This is one chapter of the Bible that has been greatly misunderstood. Reading through it a first time, it can actually be rather shocking.

By some this chapter and the ones following (ch. 10, 11), have often been looked at as a "parenthesis that has little, if any, connection to the rest of the letter...according to those interpreters, the central message of justification by faith is interrupted at the beginning of chapter 9 and resumes at the beginning of chapter 12" (MacArthur). Basically, looking at it as though the book flows from chapter 8:39 to chapter 12:1. Which, grant it, the book could still flow well without these chapter (along with many other books, but leaving out those chapters leaves out a slew of important doctrine).

Some of these important doctrines found in this chapter are those of God's grace, predestination, election. So then the misunderstanding of this chapter could be attributed to those doctrines being misunderstood.

That is why I am going to write about this chapter. Using the commentaries of John MacArthur, Matthew Henry, John Calvin and perhaps occasionally Charles Hodge and sermons by John Piper. I hope to clear up a few things since I have been challenged at times to explain this chapter.


Why is this chapter written?

Looking back into the preceding chapters, Paul has basically shattered all beliefs of the Pharisees who would hear him. The idea of justification by faith alone apart from works of the law, was something blasphemous and heretical to those Jews. Paul is now looked upon as though he were belittling Abraham, Moses the other prophets and God.

What is assumed by the Pharisees is that if salvation now comes to the Gentiles and not just the Jews as they thought, and that it is received by faith alone, then God's promises have failed. "If this be so, then what becomes of the Jews, of them all as a complex body, expecially those of them that do not embrace Christ, nor believe the gospel?...What becomes of the promise made to the fathers, which entailed salvation upon the Jews? Is not the promise nullified and made of none effect?"(Henry)

So then Paul, after teaching these doctrinal truths that salvation is by faith, he now turns his attention to the Jews, and to those who would challenge this with those responses. He goes on to prove that this salvation by faith, this elect chosing by God for salvation, has always been the case. It is not something new that came with Christ, but that salvation is "by grace...through faith...it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). And it always has been. Moreover, Paul proves that God has not failed in His promises, which we will see, as well, in this chapter.


My Hope

For those who do read this, I do hope you give some input and that we could encourage one another in the study of this chapter.

I hope to treat this chapter with as much fairness and study and prayer as possible, I pray you will as well.

May God grant us all discernment as we look into the great truth of his holy Word.

Citation:
*MacArthur, John (NT Commentary, Romans 9-16)
*Henry, Matthew (Commentary of the whole Bible, Romans)