What Calvinists Have Got Wrong About Romans 9

Romans 9 is a passage that has generated much debate and controversy throughout church history, particularly in discussions surrounding the doctrines of predestination and election. Calvinists often point to this chapter to support their views on God's unconditional election and predestination of individuals for salvation or damnation. However, a closer examination of the text reveals that Calvinist interpretations of Romans 9 may be missing the mark.

One of the main issues with the Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9 is that it tends to focus on individual predestination to the exclusion of the broader context and purpose of God's election. By doing so, the Calvinist reading overlooks the original intended meaning of the passage and the implications it has for understanding God's redemptive plan for all people.

In Romans 9, Paul is addressing the question of Israel's role in God's plan of salvation. Contrary to the Calvinist view, the focus is not on individual predestination, but on God's purpose in choosing a people through whom He would bring about His redemptive plan for all nations. This understanding is supported by Paul's emphasis on the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 18:17-19, where the purpose of God's election of Abraham was to bless all nations through his offspring. This promise is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, through whom both Jews and Gentiles can be saved by faith (Romans 9:24-26).

A critical flaw in the Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9 is the dismissal of the importance of faith in salvation. Paul's conclusion in Romans 9:30-33 highlights that Gentiles have attained righteousness through faith, while Israel has stumbled because they sought righteousness through works rather than faith. If faith was merely evidence of an individual's prior election, as Calvinists argue, it is difficult to understand why Paul would place such importance on it in this passage.

Romans 9:1-5: Israel's Privileged Position

In the opening verses, Paul expresses his sorrow over Israel's unbelief and highlights the privileged position that Israel holds as the chosen people of God. They have received the adoption as sons, the covenants, the law, the temple worship, the promises, and the patriarchs. Most importantly, they are the people through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, has come.

Romans 9:6-13: The True Israel and God's Purpose

Paul then addresses the question of whether God's promise to Israel has failed, given that many Israelites have not believed in Christ. He explains that not all who are descended from Israel are true Israel. God's promise is not based on physical descent, but on His sovereign choice. Paul illustrates this point through the examples of Isaac and Jacob, who were chosen by God to carry forward His redemptive plan, even though they were not the firstborn sons.

It is important to note that in this section, Paul is not discussing the individual salvation of Isaac, Jacob, or Esau, but rather their roles in God's broader redemptive plan. God's choice of Isaac and Jacob was about the continuation of the promise to bless all nations through Abraham's offspring (Genesis 18:17-19).

Romans 9:14-18: God's Sovereignty and Mercy

Here, Paul anticipates the objection that God's choice might be unjust. He asserts that God has the right to show mercy and compassion as He sees fit, and he uses the example of Pharaoh to demonstrate God's sovereignty in accomplishing His purposes. This section is not about the predestination of individuals for salvation or damnation but rather about God's right to use individuals and nations in His redemptive plan, as He deems appropriate.

Romans 9:19-29: Vessels of Wrath and Mercy

The passage in Romans 9:19-24 raises questions about the nature of God's sovereignty and the fate of individuals. The text reads:

"You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?' On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory."

Many Calvinist interpretations assert that God predestines some people as "vessels of wrath" for destruction before the foundation of the world. However, this view overlooks the wider context of Scripture, which emphasizes God's desire for all to come to repentance and the transformation from vessels of wrath into vessels of mercy.

Ephesians 2:3-5 indicates that all people were once "children of wrath," but God's mercy and grace have provided a way for them to become vessels of mercy through faith in Christ. Romans 2:4-5 teaches that God's kindness, tolerance, and patience are meant to lead people to repentance. However, those who stubbornly refuse to repent are storing up wrath for themselves.

Similarly, 2 Peter 3:9 explains that God is patient, not wishing for anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance. The focus here is on the transformative power of God's grace and mercy, rather than a predetermined fate for individuals.

In 2 Timothy 2:20-21, Paul uses another analogy of vessels in a large house, made of different materials and designated for various purposes. The passage suggests that if anyone cleanses themselves from wickedness, they will become a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful to the Master.

In light of these passages, Romans 9:19-24 should not be read as teaching that God predestines individuals for destruction. Instead, it highlights God's patience and willingness to endure with the vessels of wrath, providing opportunities for repentance and transformation into vessels of mercy.

Jeremiah 18, the likely source of Paul's potter and clay metaphor, supports this interpretation. The Lord explains to the prophet that if a nation turns from its evil ways, God will relent from the calamity planned for it. In other words, the fate of the vessels is not set in stone but can change according to their response to God's call for repentance.

Therefore, Romans 9:19-24, along with other relevant passages, emphasizes God's desire for all people to come to repentance and be transformed from vessels of wrath into vessels of mercy. This understanding upholds both God's sovereignty and the human responsibility to respond to His grace.

Romans 9:30-33: Righteousness by Faith

In the conclusion of the chapter, Paul highlights the distinction between the Gentiles, who have attained righteousness through faith, and Israel, who has stumbled because they pursued righteousness through works rather than faith. This emphasis on faith is crucial because it underscores the importance of human responsibility in responding to God's grace.

By examining Romans 9 in its broader context, it becomes clear that the chapter is not primarily about individual predestination for salvation or damnation. Instead, it emphasizes God's redemptive plan for all people through faith in Jesus Christ, affirming both His sovereignty and the importance of human responsibility in responding to His grace.