Romans 9:15 – “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.'”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is reinforcing the idea that God is completely sovereign in showing mercy and compassion. He is quoting Exodus 33:19, where God speaks to Moses after the Israelites had sinned by worshiping the golden calf.

The key message in this verse is that God’s mercy is not something people can demand or earn. It is entirely His decision whom He chooses to show grace to. This does not mean that God is random or unjust—rather, it shows that mercy is always a gift, never an obligation.

Paul uses this verse to answer the question he raised in Romans 9:14: “Is God unjust?” His answer is clear: No, because God’s mercy is His to give as He sees fit. He is not obligated to be merciful to anyone, yet He chooses to show compassion to many.

This verse reminds us that no one deserves God’s mercy, yet He freely gives it according to His will.

Historical Context

Paul is quoting from Exodus 33:19, a passage that takes place right after Israel’s great failure—the worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32). The people had broken their covenant with God, and Moses was pleading with God to continue leading them.

In response, God tells Moses:

“I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Exodus 33:19)

This statement is important because:

1. God was not obligated to continue with Israel – They had sinned greatly, and He had every right to abandon them.
2. God chose to show mercy anyway – Not because they deserved it, but because of His grace and His promise.

Paul uses this example to remind his readers that God’s mercy has always been based on His choice, not human effort. Just as Israel did nothing to deserve God’s continued presence, no one can earn God’s mercy today.

Theological Implications

1. Mercy is God’s decision, not our right – No one is entitled to God’s mercy. If mercy were owed, it would no longer be mercy—it would be justice. But mercy is God’s free gift.
2. God is sovereign in salvation – This verse reinforces that salvation is not something we achieve, but something God grants according to His will.
3. God’s mercy is not based on human effort – Paul will emphasize this in the next verse (Romans 9:16), showing that it is not about man’s desire or effort, but about God’s mercy.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s use of Exodus 33:19 is significant because it highlights:

• God’s absolute authority – The phrase “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy” emphasizes that God alone decides who receives mercy.
• The repetition – “I will have mercy… I will have compassion” reinforces that this is a certainty—God’s mercy is not random or uncertain, but part of His sovereign plan.

By using this Old Testament passage, Paul is making it clear that God’s mercy has always been His choice, not something dictated by human effort.

Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 33:19 – The original verse where God declares His right to show mercy as He pleases.
• Exodus 34:6-7 – God describes Himself as compassionate and merciful but also just.
• Psalm 103:8-11 – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love… He does not treat us as our sins deserve.”
• Romans 9:16 – Paul continues his argument by saying that salvation depends not on human effort, but on God’s mercy.
• Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
• Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a powerful reminder that salvation is entirely by God’s grace. It challenges the idea that we can earn God’s favor through good works, religious background, or personal effort.

For today’s Christian, this means:

1. We should be grateful for God’s mercy – None of us deserve it, yet God chooses to show kindness to us through Jesus Christ.
2. We should be humble – Since mercy is God’s decision, we cannot boast about being chosen by Him.
3. We should trust in God’s wisdom – Sometimes we don’t understand why God acts in certain ways, but we can trust that He is always good and just.

This verse also reminds us that if God has shown us mercy, we should extend mercy to others (Luke 6:36).

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

At first, some might wonder: If God chooses whom to show mercy to, does that mean He is unfair? But this verse actually highlights God’s deep love:

1. God’s mercy is entirely His to give, yet He freely offers it – If God were only just, everyone would receive punishment. Instead, He chooses to show mercy to many.
2. God delights in showing compassion – Micah 7:18 says, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
3. God’s mercy is available through Jesus – While this verse focuses on God’s sovereign choice, the Bible also teaches that God desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

God’s love is seen in the fact that He offers salvation to sinners who deserve judgment. Instead of asking, Why doesn’t God show mercy to everyone?—we should ask, Why does He show mercy to anyone at all? The answer is His love and grace.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the ultimate display of God’s mercy.

• Jesus took the judgment we deserved – So that God could extend mercy to us (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8).
• Jesus showed mercy throughout His ministry – He healed the sick, forgave sinners, and welcomed outcasts.
• Through Jesus, we receive mercy – Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The mercy that God speaks of in Romans 9:15 is fully revealed in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Because of Him, we can receive mercy instead of judgment.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach about the nature of God’s mercy?
2. How does understanding that mercy is God’s choice help you appreciate your salvation more?
3. Why do you think Paul uses Exodus 33:19 as proof that God’s mercy is not based on human effort?
4. How does this verse challenge the idea that people can earn their way to God?
5. In what ways can you show mercy to others, as God has shown mercy to you?