Romans 9:14 – The Righteous Choice
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!
Truth to Learn
God’s choosing of some to be saved is totally right.
Behind the Words
Paul asks the question, “Is there unrighteousness with God?” However, the Greek text says “not unrighteousness with God?” In Greek, the double negative is not as it is in English where they cancel each other out. A double negative in Greek is a statement of emphasis of the negative. So this verse could be read, “Is there any unrighteous at all in God?”
“Certainly not!” is translated from mē genoito. A literal translation of this would be, “May it not be!” In our vernacular we might say, “No way!”
Meaning Explained
Now that Paul has very clearly stated the case for God’s choosing (election) of those whom He wishes, he asks another of his rhetorical questions. He is doing this in anticipation of the expected objection to election, namely that it isn’t fair. To say that it isn’t fair is to say that it is not right, that it is unrighteous. Is there any unrighteous at all in God?
We tend to think from the human perspective that some deserve God’s divine grace and others don’t. That is, we think that those of us who “accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior” deserve God’s grace and, therefore, are chosen. But that’s not how it is from God’s perspective. From His perspective none of us deserve His grace. Here’s what Paul said in chapter three:
As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)
In other words, none of us deserve God’s grace. We all deserve eternity in Hell! We are unrighteous but God is not. That’s why Paul proclaims once again regarding God being unrighteous, “May it not be!”
You may recall Abraham’s conversation with God when God told him that He was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy the righteous people along with the wicked people. Here’s what Abraham said.
Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)
Abraham recognized that God always does what is right; therefore, he pleaded for the righteous inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah (even though we know in reality that there is none righteous). The bottom line is; we are totally unrighteous and God is totally righteous.
Application
None of us deserves God’s grace and God is not obliged in any way to show mercy to any of us. We are not chosen because we have accepted Christ as Savior; we accept Christ as Savior because we are chosen. That is why all of us who are born again Christians should proclaim
Thank you, God, for choosing me!
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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