Romans 9:16 Meaning and Explanation
“So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Salvation rests finally on God's mercy, not on human willing or striving.
What Does Romans 9:16 Mean?
Paul draws the conclusion from God's words to Moses. The mercy that saves does not originate in the one who wills it or the one who runs hard after it, but in God who shows mercy. Human desire and human effort are real, yet they are not the source; the fountainhead is the gracious God who gives. Mercy comes down before it is ever earned up.
This dethrones every boast and steadies every anxious heart. We are not left to manufacture our standing with God by wanting it enough or working hard enough. Our hope rests on a surer ground than the strength of our own running, which often falters. To know that mercy is of God who shows mercy is to rest, not in our grip on Him, but in His grip on us, freely given in Christ.
Romans 9:16 in the Original Language
trecho (τρέχω), 'runneth' -- to run as in a race, picturing strenuous human effort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 9:16
What does Romans 9:16 mean?
Salvation rests finally on God's mercy, not on human willing or striving.