Bible Strands
Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the church in Rome, mid-argument (9:6–18) on God's sovereign choice in election, using Israel's history as his case. He is addressing both Jewish and Gentile believers, dismantling any claim that human will or effort secures salvation.
The words — trechontos (τρέχοντος), present participle of trechō, "running" — a concrete image of striving, paired with thelontos (θελόντος), "willing, desiring." Together they name the two human claims Paul sets aside: the desire and the effort.
The thread — The same logic runs through Ephesians 2:8 ("not from yourselves; it is the gift of God") and Philippians 2:13 ("it is God who works in you to will and to act"), and echoes Jesus' prayer in Matthew 11:25. The immediate context brackets it with God's declaration of mercy in Romans 9:15 and the raising up of Pharaoh in 9:17.
Why it lands — It removes the ground for boasting: if neither your desire nor your effort produced this, the whole account of your salvation belongs to another. It asks the reader to stop treating their faith as an achievement and to sit under the fact that mercy, not merit, is the cause.
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
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
- Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Titus 3:3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
- Romans 9:11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,
- 1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
- Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.
- James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.