Bible Strands
Romans 9:23
What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory—
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The apostle Paul poses a rhetorical question to the Roman church, continuing his argument about divine sovereignty and human election. He interrupts his discussion of vessels prepared for destruction to address those prepared for glory.
The words — γνωρίσῃ (gnōrisē) means "He may make known," and πλοῦτον (plouton) means "riches." The text states that God's purpose in enduring vessels of wrath is to reveal the wealth of His glory to those He shows mercy to.
The thread — This theme of God making known His riches appears in Romans 2:4, Colossians 1:27, and 1 Peter 1:2, where divine kindness, the mystery of Christ, and foreknowledge are similarly presented as revealed gifts.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that God's patience and mercy are purposeful instruments for displaying His glory to those He has chosen. It demands a sober recognition of divine preparation rather than a search for personal comfort.
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
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Cross-references
- Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
- Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
- 1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
- Romans 5:20 The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
- Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
- Ephesians 3:16 I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
- 1 Chronicles 29:18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire forever in the intentions of the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.
- Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
- Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
- Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.