Paul’s Deep Sorrow for Lost People
Romans 9 begins with something very striking: Paul expresses deep sorrow for the unbelief of many of his fellow Israelites.
“I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.” — Romans 9:2
Paul loved his people deeply. In fact, he says something astonishing:
“For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren…” — Romans 9:3
Paul is not literally saying he can take their place instead of Christ. Rather, he is expressing the depth of his burden for people who are spiritually lost. This reveals an important truth:
real love for people includes concern for their spiritual condition. Sometimes believers become comfortable watching people drift further from God without prayer, compassion, or burden for them. But Paul’s heart reflects God’s own desire for people to come to truth. Paul also reminds readers of the incredible privileges Israel received:
– the covenants, – the Law, – the promises, – and ultimately Christ Himself according to the flesh. Yet outward privilege alone did not automatically produce genuine faith.
This is a sobering reminder for believers today too. Growing up around Christianity, attending church, or having spiritual opportunities does not automatically mean someone truly belongs to God internally.
True spiritual love cares deeply about people’s relationship with God, not merely their outward wellbeing.
God’s Purposes and Choices Are Perfectly Righteous
Romans 9 now moves into one of the deepest sections of the entire New Testament. Paul explains that God’s purposes have never depended merely on physical ancestry or human effort.
“For they are not all Israel who are of Israel…” — Romans 9:6
Paul uses examples such as Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau to show that God’s redemptive purposes unfold according to His sovereign plan. Paul then says:
“So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” — Romans 9:16
This chapter strongly emphasises God’s sovereignty and mercy. At the same time, Romans 9 should never be read as though God is unfair or unrighteous. Paul repeatedly defends God’s justice:
“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!” — Romans 9:14
Human beings often struggle when they cannot fully understand God’s ways. But This reminds us that God’s wisdom, holiness, and purposes are infinitely higher than human understanding. Paul later compares humanity to clay in the hands of a potter:
“But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?” — Romans 9:20
This should produce humility before God rather than prideful arguments against Him. God’s purposes are always righteous, wise, and rooted in His mercy even when humans cannot fully understand them.
Salvation Comes Through Faith, Not Human Effort
Toward the end of the chapter, Paul explains why many in Israel stumbled spiritually.
“Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law.” — Romans 9:32
They pursued righteousness through human effort rather than through faith in God. Paul says Christ became:
“…a stumbling stone and rock of offense…” — Romans 9:33
Many rejected Jesus because they expected salvation to come through external religion, personal merit, or human achievement. But the Gospel declares that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone. This remains highly relevant today. People still try to establish righteousness through:
– good behaviour, – religious activity, – morality, – reputation, – or comparison with others. Yet Romans repeatedly teaches that nobody can become righteous before God through personal effort alone. Salvation requires humble faith in Jesus Christ. Human effort cannot produce righteousness before God — salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Deeper Waters
Romans 9 begins a major new section of the epistle dealing with Israel, God’s covenant purposes, and divine sovereignty. After presenting the security of believers in Romans 8, Paul now addresses an important question:
if God gave promises to Israel, why have many Israelites rejected the Messiah? Paul answers by explaining that God’s redemptive purposes have always operated according to divine election and promise rather than mere physical descent. The chapter repeatedly highlights God’s sovereign freedom:
– Isaac rather than Ishmael, – Jacob rather than Esau, – mercy according to God’s purpose. This does not portray God as arbitrary or unjust. Instead, Paul emphasises that salvation itself is rooted in mercy rather than human entitlement. Romans 9 also strongly echoes Old Testament imagery:
– Pharaoh’s hardened heart, – Moses receiving mercy, – the potter and clay from Isaiah and Jeremiah, – and Hosea’s prophecies about God calling a people to Himself. Theologically, Romans 9 holds together two truths that Scripture consistently affirms:
– God is sovereign, – and humans remain responsible for unbelief. Paul does not fully resolve every philosophical tension surrounding these truths. Instead, he repeatedly calls readers toward humility before God’s wisdom and authority. Romans 9 warns against pride:
– pride in heritage, – pride in religious identity, – pride in human achievement, – or pride in intellectual understanding. At the same time, the chapter magnifies mercy. Nobody deserves salvation; it is ultimately a work of God’s grace. Romans 9 therefore deepens the reader’s awe of God:
His purposes are trustworthy, His mercy is astounding, and His redemptive plan through Christ is unfolding exactly according to His wisdom.