Unpacking Romans 9 Through Scripture and Parable
Romans 9:14-16
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."
Paul has such a great and heavy burden upon himself for the sake of his Jewish people that he would give up his blessing in Christ if it were possible to bring them all to salvation in Him. He's grappling with the theological implications of Israel’s widespread rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. In this chapter Paul emphasizes God’s sovereignty, faithfulness to His promises, and the inclusion of Gentiles in His plan of salvation. Paul expresses deep personal anguish over his fellow Jews (verses 1-5), then defends the idea that God’s word has not failed despite Israel’s unbelief. He uses Old Testament examples to illustrate that God’s election is not based on physical descent or human merit but on His divine purpose and promise.
Paul directly responds to a potential objection arising from verses 6-13: If God chooses some (like Jacob) and rejects others (like Esau) before they do anything good or bad, isn’t that unjust? Paul emphatically rejects this ("By no means!" or "Not at all!" ), quoting Exodus 33:19 where God tells Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." The conclusion: Salvation “depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."
This is reminiscent of the parable of the day workers, Jesus’ Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), often called the Parable of the Laborers or Day Workers. This teaching powerfully illustrates God’s sovereignty in dispensing grace and mercy, independent of human effort, merit, or expectations of fairness.
In this story, a landowner hires workers for his vineyard at different times throughout the day: some at dawn (agreeing to a full day’s wage of one denarius), others at the third hour (9 a.m.), sixth hour (noon), ninth hour (3 p.m.), and even the eleventh hour (5 p.m., just before quitting time). At the end of the day, he pays them all the same wage, a full denarius, starting with the last-hired workers. The early workers grumble, expecting more for their longer labor, but the landowner responds:
"Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?" (Matthew 20:13-15)
The parable ends with the famous line: "So the last will be first, and the first last" (v. 16). The core message is that God’s kingdom operates on grace, not human notions of equity based on works, traditions, or tenure. The landowner’s actions highlight his right to be generous as he sees fit, challenging envy and entitlement among the workers.
In Romans 9:16, Paul states that mercy "depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." Similarly, in the parable, the wage isn’t proportional to the workers’ hours or sweat, it’s based solely on the landowner’s (representing God) decision to be generous. The late-hired workers didn’t "earn" the full wage through exertion; they received it by the owner’s mercy. Salvation isn’t a payout for human striving but a gift from God’s sovereign will. Paul’s emphasis is on mercy extended beyond ethnic or historical privilege, much like how the parable includes "idle" workers hired late, representing outsiders or latecomers to faith (perhaps Gentiles or sinners) who receive the same reward as long-time insiders (like the Jews).
Now let's back up a little and note something very important.
Romans 9:5
"To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen."
This verse is often regarded as a cornerstone in Pauline Christology for explicitly linking Christ to the title "God over all." The phrase "according to the flesh" emphasizes Jesus’ human, Jewish lineage (echoing Romans 1:3, where Christ is "descended from David according to the flesh" ). Jesus Christ is "over all", a position of supreme authority, and "God blessed forever." God has recognized Him as Holy, and righteous, Christ, but not merely a human Messiah. The phrase "God over all" aligns with Paul's other texts implying Christ’s preeminence...
Colossians 1:15-20
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
...He’s the "image of the invisible God" and "before all things"; likewise seen again in Philippians 2:6-11, where He shares God’s form and receives universal worship.
This reading substantiates Trinitarian theology without contradiction, as Paul elsewhere distinguishes Father and Son while affirming their shared essence. And if we look back to the gospels we find Jesus touching on these things when, in a more somber tone, Jesus prophesies Jerusalem’s desolation and says,
"For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’"
(Matthew 23:39; Luke 13:35)
This "until" implies a future turning point: Israel’s restoration when they acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah sent by God. It echoes prophetic hopes like Zechariah 12:10, where Israel mourns and looks to the pierced one. Jesus uses this phrase to affirm His identity as the divine agent of God’s kingdom, coming "in the name of the Lord" means acting with God’s authority, as His representative or even embodiment.
The response:
Mercy depends on God alone, not human effort. Jesus’ phrase impacts this by highlighting that God’s sovereign plan culminates in hopeful invitation rather than a capricious exclusion. Israel’s hardening of heart is temporary, awaiting their humble recognition of the Messiah.
God's sovereign grace in Jesus Christ leads to mercy for Gentiles and a remnant of Israel (chapter 10), ending in all Israel’s salvation (Romans 11:26-27, "And in this way all Israel will be saved…when I take away their sins" ). This underscores unconditional election, where recognition ("blessed is he" ) flows from God’s initiative. And still emphasizes the conditional aspect. Mercy is sovereign but received through a faith-filled response, like welcoming the Messiah. Either way, it mitigates "injustice" concerns by showing God's sovereignty serves redemptive ends, not destruction. Jesus’ teaching invites all to recognize God’s kingdom through Him, much like Paul’s call to faith over works (Romans 9:30-33). This counters any perceived discord, as both portray God as sovereignly merciful, extending grace to the undeserving (late workers, hardened hearts) while calling for humble acceptance.
Meditate On This:
How does welcoming Jesus "in the Lord’s name" reshape your concerns about fairness or unanswered prayers? Cross-reference with Romans 10:9-13 (confessing Jesus as Lord for salvation).
This harmony between Jesus and Paul should encourage trust in the God who comes to us in grace. It should foster hope, build faith in God’s justice as merciful, and drive hone His sovereignty as redemptive.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
In Jesus’ Holy name, our Sovereign Lord, we pray for a revival of moral courage. Restore boldness in Your people to stand for truth, defend the vulnerable, and proclaim Your gospel without fear. Empower us by Your Spirit to reflect Your character in obedience and mercy.
May Your sovereign rule in our hearts and world shine through lives of integrity and faith.
Amen.