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Romans 9:16
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
In verse 16, Paul gives us one of his compact, pithy conclusions that so succinctly summarize divine truth: “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” In this case, the truth the apostle is driving home is that salvation is of God alone. As Dr. James M. Boice notes, this verse should be seen as “a statement of the truth behind the quotation [in verse 15]. If this is the case, it means that salvation is not of man but of God; therefore, God shows mercy on whom He wills to show mercy and has compassion on whom He wills to have compassion. . . The chief point of verse 16 is the exclusion of any human role in salvation.”
Boice also notes that this verse contains both negative and positive aspects with universal applications. The negative side has to do with man. Paul is saying that human beings have absolutely nothing to do with their salvation. When the apostle writes that “it is not of him who wills,” he is saying, as he already has in Romans, that no one naturally wants God. We would rather die than serve Him (Rom. 1:32). And when Paul tells us that “[it is not] of him who runs,” he is asserting that there is nothing a man can do to contribute to his salvation. No man is righteous, no man understands the things of God, no man seeks Him, no man does good (Rom. 3:10–12). Then there is the positive side, which has to do with God: He has everything to do with the salvation of His elect, Paul tells us. Salvation is “of God who shows mercy” to whom He wills to show mercy. As we saw in our previous study, mercy is undeserved; it is a gift, not a payment. If anyone is saved, it is because God has elected that person and has shown mercy by causing him or her to be born again. Then, and only then, does a person “will” to serve God and “run” to Him for rescue from sin.
Paul now has shown us that divine election is a fact established by Scripture, and he has defended the righteousness of God in showing mercy as He pleases. But Paul, a thorough systematist, does not ignore the other side of the coin—reprobation—which was brought into focus in 9:13. Someone still might say: “OK, God is free to show mercy when and where He pleases. But how can it be fair and just for Him to leave some to perish in their sins?” Paul will address this matter in the verses we will examine tomorrow.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
If you are a believer, can you remember the time before you were in Christ? Did you desire to serve Him then? Did you actively try to please Him? If the answers are no, what made the difference? The only answer is that God poured out upon you mercy you did not deserve. Take time today to think on His mercy and to thank Him for it.
For Further Study
- John 1:13
- John 3:3
- Titus 3:5
- 1 Peter 1:23
- 1 John 4:7