Romans 9:23 Meaning and Explanation
“And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God's patience also serves to reveal the riches of His glory upon those He prepares for mercy and glory.
What Does Romans 9:23 Mean?
This verse completes the thought begun in the last. God's patience has a purpose of love: to make known the riches of His glory upon the vessels of mercy, those He has prepared beforehand for glory. Over against vessels heading toward ruin, Paul sets vessels destined for splendor, and the contrast magnifies the wealth of God's kindness. Glory is the appointed end for those He gathers in mercy.
The phrase the riches of his glory lifts the whole passage upward. God's deepest aim is not to display wrath but to lavish glory on the objects of His mercy. To be a vessel of mercy is to be made beforehand for something radiant, shaped not for the shelf but for the King's own table. Every reader brought to Christ may take heart: the One who prepares such vessels intends nothing less than glory for them.
Romans 9:23 in the Original Language
doxa (δόξα), 'glory' -- the weight of God's splendor, here also the destiny of those He shows mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 9:23
What does Romans 9:23 mean?
God's patience also serves to reveal the riches of His glory upon those He prepares for mercy and glory.