Why are believers called vessels of mercy?
Believers are called vessels of mercy because they are recipients of God’s mercy, not people who deserve anything. God prepared them beforehand unto glory, and His mercy was poured out at the cross and appropriated by faith. Every born-again child of God, including the Apostle Paul, fits this category.
Les explains from Romans verses 23–24 that the vessels of mercy are every believer—whether back in Israel, during Christ’s earthly ministry, or today. They are those God gave to His Son, as in John chapter 17, and every born-again child of God. None of us deserve anything; it is all His mercy, poured out at the cross and appropriated by faith. Paul is the example: a sinner saved by grace, not by his own repentance or effort, and believers are in that same category.
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
More Questions
Who are the vessels of mercy Paul talks about in Romans 9:23?
The 'vessels of mercy' in Romans 9:23 are every believer — whether from Israel of old, the disciples during Christ's earthly ministry (as in John 17), or every born-again child of God today.