Romans 9:16
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Romans 9:16
Paul clarifies the sequence: not human will or running but God who shows mercy. The emphasis is not on human strategies or effort but on God’s initiative in dispensing mercy. The phrase “not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth” dismisses human striving as a basis for mercy. The qualifier “but of God that showeth mercy” places mercy squarely in God’s hands. The broader context is Paul’s argument that salvation and inclusion in God’s people depend on God’s gracious choice, not on natural capacity or personal effort. This resonates with Gen 25–9 narratives and with the Israel-Gentile tension in Romans. The point is to shift trust from human reliability to divine mercy.
This verse reinforces grace as the sinew of salvation. It guards against pride, urging believers to rely on God’s mercy rather than their own plans or performance. It also explains why some experience transformation and inclusion while others do not, without casting judgment on the individuals themselves but attributing outcomes to God’s merciful purposes.
- In daily life, depend on God’s mercy rather than your plans.
- In planning or leadership, avoid over-optimizing outcomes through willpower alone; invite God’s mercy to shape results.
- When you pray, request mercy rather than demanding outcomes.
Cross-References: Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; John 1:13