What does Les say about Romans 9:18?
Romans 9:18 states God has mercy on whom He will and hardens whom He will. This verse is presented as hard to comprehend, a curve, yet it fits God's sovereign purpose to display His power and glory. Paul anticipates the objection of why God finds fault and answers that the formed cannot reply against the Former.
Les explains that Romans 9:18 follows the Pharaoh example, where God raised Pharaoh up to show His power and declare His name throughout all the earth. Les says God intended to get the glory, not the blame, and wants the human race to realize His power, sovereignty, righteousness, and mercy. When Paul writes, 'Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth,' Les admits this throws a curve at us and is hard to comprehend. He then notes Paul raises the objection in verse 19: if God puts a person in that position, why does He find fault, and who has resisted His will? Les points forward to Paul's answer in verse 20: 'Nay, O man, who art thou that replyest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?'
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
More Questions
What does Romans 9:18 teach about God's mercy and hardening?
In Romans 9:18, 'he' refers to God, and the verse teaches that God has mercy on whomever he wills and hardens whomever he wills; Les says this truth is hard to comprehend.
What does the word 'hardeneth' mean in Romans 9:18?
The word rendered 'hardeneth' in Scripture is usually translated 'heavy,' the same Hebrew word used when Isaiah spoke of a heavy burden.