Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul quotes God speaking to Moses to resolve the preceding question of divine justice in Romans 9:14. The declaration occurs mid-argument to establish the origin of mercy.
The words — The Greek ἐλεήσω (eleēsō) and ἐλεῶ (eleō) both carry the literal sense “I will show mercy” and “I may show mercy.” These terms frame the verse’s assertion of unconditioned divine choice.
The thread — Paul directly quotes Exodus 33:19 when recounting God’s words to Moses about extending mercy according to His own will. The same logical progression continues in Romans 9:16, which states that mercy depends on God rather than human desire.
Why it lands — The text records that mercy originates solely from God’s will, not from human effort or desire. A reader must accept that receiving mercy is determined by divine choice, not personal merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Cross-references
- Exodus 33:19 “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
- Romans 9:16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
- Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
- Romans 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
- Exodus 34:6 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,
- Isaiah 27:11 When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.