Romans Chapter 9

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Paul closed out chapter 8 with the magnificant promises that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. In the very next verse, Paul starts out by saying, “I have unceasing sorrow and anguish in my heart.” What’s going on here?

What’s happening is that Paul is wrestling with many of the same questions that we struggle with… the same questions our students have asked lately, such as “Why did God choose me,” and “How come there are so many people that God didn’t choose?”

I can’t give a better answer to these questions than what Paul has written in chapter 9, so we went through it verse by verse. God does not fully reveal this answer to us. Instead, he wants us to focus on the amazing fact that he chose us before the world was even created. The words of this hymn sum it up the best:

I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me He hath made known,
nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart,
nor how believing in His Word wrought peace within my heart.

But I know whom I have believ-ed, and am persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day!

KEY VERSE
Romans 9:16- It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Romans chapter nine is one of the most difficult passages to understand in all of scripture. Here are some questions to help you discuss it at home. Feel free to post a few answers below, or even to ask other questions!

1) Did the Israelites choose to serve God, or did God choose to make the Israelites His people? What’s the difference, and why is it important?

2) Is it fair that God chooses some people for salvation, but not others?

3) The last few verses of chapter nine talk about how God became a ‘stumbling block’ to the Israelites. What does Paul mean here? How do we sometimes stumble over God?

4) How is this chapter frustrating? How is it comforting? How does this chapter affect our attitude and outlook on life?

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