Romans 9:23

Romans 9:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
• New International Version (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—
• English Standard Version (ESV)in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
• New King James Version (NKJV)and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

Context of Romans 9:23

21When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 22In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 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. 24And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles. 25Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.”

Romans 9:23 word by word

καὶ ἵνα γνωρίσῃ τὸν πλοῦτον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ σκεύη ἐλέους ἃ προητοίμασεν εἰς δόξαν;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• he might make knownγνωρίζωgnōrizō · to make knownG1107
• the richesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the richesπλοῦτοςploutos · richesG4149
• of hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• gloryδόξαdoxa · gloryG1391
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• the vesselsσκεῦοςskeuos · vesselG4632
• of mercyἔλεοςeleos · mercyG1656
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• he had afore preparedπροετοιμάζωproetoimazō · to prepareG4282
• untoεἰςeis · towardG1519

Cross-references for Romans 9:23

• Romans 2:4Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
• Romans 5:20God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
• Ephesians 1:6So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
• Ephesians 2:4But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
• Ephesians 3:8Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
• Colossians 1:27For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:10When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
• 1 Chronicles 29:18“O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes.
• Luke 1:17He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
• Ephesians 2:3All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
• Colossians 1:12always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:9For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.
• 2 Timothy 2:21If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
• 1 Peter 1:2God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

Commentaries on Romans 9:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23And that he might make known - God endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath: To show his wrath, and to make his power known. And also, That he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy. Which he had afore prepared unto glory - The Jews were fitted for destruction long before; but the fittest time to destroy them was after he had prepared the believing Gentiles unto glory. For the rod of the Messiah's strength was to be…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-24Verses 14-24 Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein the holy, happy people of God differ from others, God's grace alone makes them differ. In this preventing, effectual, distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor, whose grace is his own. None have deserved it; so that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those who perish, must blame themselves only, Hos 13:9. God is bound no further than he has been pleased to bind himself by his own…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-33n this section, Paul addresses a serious question. Many Jews did not believe in Jesus. If God had promised salvation to Israel, how could Jesus truly fulfill God’s plan when so few Jews believed (9:1–5)? In response, Paul uses the Old Testament to show that God always planned to save only a remnant, that is, a smaller group within Israel (9:6–29). Paul also explains that many Jews did not accept Christ because they refused to trust in him (9:30–10:21)…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22-2322-23. What if God, willing to show--"designing to manifest" his wrath--His holy displeasure against sin. and to make his power--to punish it known endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath--that is, "destined to wrath"; just as "vessels of mercy," in Ro 9:23, mean "vessels destined to mercy"; compare Ep 2:3, "children of wrath." fitted for destruction--It is well remarked by Stuart that the "difficulties which such statements involve are not…Read the comment
• Calvin’s Commentaries · v. 2323. That he might also make known the riches of his glory, etc. I doubt not but the two particles καὶ ἵνα, is an instance of a construction, where the first word is put last; (ὕστερον πρότερον) and that this clause may better unite with the former, I have rendered it, That he might also make known, etc. (Ut notas quoque faceret, etc.) It is the second reason which manifests the glory of God in the destruction of the reprobate, because the greatness of…Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 9:23

• Blessing
• Gentiles
• Glory
• God Continued...
• Predestination

In the dictionaries

• Continual
• Fault
• Glory
• Resist
• Sovereignty
• Bible, the
• Election
• Eschatology of the New Testament
• Paul, the Apostle
• Predestination

Commentaries on Romans 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings