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Romans 9:17-23 God's Sovereign Choice

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?”

20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”

21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?

23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—

Cross References for Romans 9:17-23

Proverbs 16:4 - The Lord works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster. Click to read the verse Proverbs 16:4 Click to read the verse Proverbs 16:4

Daniel 4:22 - you, O king, are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it... Click to read the verse Daniel 4:22 Click to read the verse Daniel 4:22

Galatians 3:8 - The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in... Click to read the verse Galatians 3:8 Click to read the verse Galatians 3:8

1 Timothy 5:18 - For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The wor... Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 5:18 Click to read the verse 1 Timothy 5:18

James 2:23 - And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as... Click to read the verse James 2:23 Click to read the verse James 2:23

Psalms 106:8 - Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. Click to read the verse Psalms 106:8 Click to read the verse Psalms 106:8

James 4:5 - Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies in... Click to read the verse James 4:5 Click to read the verse James 4:5

Psalms 76:10 - Surely your wrath against men brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. Click to read the verse Psalms 76:10 Click to read the verse Psalms 76:10

1 Samuel 2:7-8 - The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 2:7-8 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 2:7-8

Isaiah 63:12 - who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before th... Click to read the verse Isaiah 63:12 Click to read the verse Isaiah 63:12

Nehemiah 9:10 - You sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the pe... Click to read the verse Nehemiah 9:10 Click to read the verse Nehemiah 9:10

Exodus 14:4 - And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself th... Click to read the verse Exodus 14:4 Click to read the verse Exodus 14:4

Exodus 9:16 - But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name... Click to read the verse Exodus 9:16 Click to read the verse Exodus 9:16

Exodus 10:1 - The Plague of Locusts Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his hear... Click to read the verse Exodus 10:1 Click to read the verse Exodus 10:1

Isaiah 19:12 - Where are your wise men now? Let them show you and make known what the Lord Almighty has planne... Click to read the verse Isaiah 19:12 Click to read the verse Isaiah 19:12

1 Samuel 4:8 - Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 4:8 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 4:8

Romans 9:22 - What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the ... Click to read the verse Romans 9:22 Click to read the verse Romans 9:22

Psalms 83:17-18 - May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Click to read the verse Psalms 83:17-18 Click to read the verse Psalms 83:17-18

Exodus 14:17-18 - I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain g... Click to read the verse Exodus 14:17-18 Click to read the verse Exodus 14:17-18

Exodus 15:14-15 - The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. Click to read the verse Exodus 15:14-15 Click to read the verse Exodus 15:14-15

Joshua 2:9-10 - and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you... Click to read the verse Joshua 2:9-10 Click to read the verse Joshua 2:9-10

Joshua 9:9 - They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the ... Click to read the verse Joshua 9:9 Click to read the verse Joshua 9:9

Galatians 3:22 - But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised... Click to read the verse Galatians 3:22 Click to read the verse Galatians 3:22

John 17:11 - I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. ... Click to read the verse John 17:11 Click to read the verse John 17:11

John 17:26 - I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you h... Click to read the verse John 17:26 Click to read the verse John 17:26

Galatians 4:30 - But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s... Click to read the verse Galatians 4:30 Click to read the verse Galatians 4:30

Isaiah 37:20 - Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you ... Click to read the verse Isaiah 37:20 Click to read the verse Isaiah 37:20

Esther 4:14 - For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from anot... Click to read the verse Esther 4:14 Click to read the verse Esther 4:14

Isaiah 10:5-6 - God’s Judgment on Assyria “Woe to the Assyrian, the rod of my anger, in whose hand is the club ... Click to read the verse Isaiah 10:5-6 Click to read the verse Isaiah 10:5-6

Daniel 5:18-21 - “O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory ... Click to read the verse Daniel 5:18-21 Click to read the verse Daniel 5:18-21

Jeremiah 27:6-7 - Now I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will ma... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 27:6-7 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 27:6-7

Isaiah 45:1-3 - “This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdu... Click to read the verse Isaiah 45:1-3 Click to read the verse Isaiah 45:1-3

Romans 11:4 - And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed... Click to read the verse Romans 11:4 Click to read the verse Romans 11:4

Exodus 10:1-2 - The Plague of Locusts Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his hear... Click to read the verse Exodus 10:1-2 Click to read the verse Exodus 10:1-2

Romans 4:3 - What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Click to read the verse Romans 4:3 Click to read the verse Romans 4:3

Exodus 18:10-11 - He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh,... Click to read the verse Exodus 18:10-11 Click to read the verse Exodus 18:10-11