Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
So God shows mercy to whoever he chooses to show mercy to, and he hardens the hearts of whoever he decides to harden.
God's mercy and judgment are completely his call to make.
📚 Historical Context
In the first century AD, the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Romans to address issues of faith, law, and God's plan for salvation among both Jewish and Gentile believers. In Romans 9, Paul draws from Old Testament examples, such as God's dealings with Pharaoh during the Exodus, to emphasize God's sovereign right to show mercy or harden hearts as He chooses. This context reflects the early Christian struggles with understanding divine election and human responsibility in light of God's promises to Israel.
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