Romans 9:14
What does Romans 9:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 9:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 9:14 means
Paul anticipates the obvious question: if God chooses apart from works, is He unjust? The answer is emphatic—“God forbid.” Divine righteousness is not measured by human notions of fairness. God acts consistently with His holy character and revealed purpose. Paul will show that Scripture itself teaches God’s sovereign freedom in dispensing mercy. The question is not whether God owes mercy equally to all—He owes it to none—but whether He is faithful to His word and just in His judgments. Paul insists He is, and he invites readers to submit their objections to the testimony of Scripture.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
KJV
King James Version · 1611What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What may we say then? is God not upright? let it not be said.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What, then, shall we say? unrighteousness <FI>is<Fi> with God? let it not be!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? God forbid!
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness withGod? Far be the thought.
Context
Verse 14 marks a turn from historical examples (vv. 6–13) to defending God’s justice. The rhetorical question sets the stage for scriptural proof in verses 15–18, beginning with God’s declaration to Moses about His freedom in showing mercy, and continuing with the example of Pharaoh. The flow is deliberate: Scripture will interpret Scripture. After answering the charge of unrighteousness, Paul will tackle a deeper objection about responsibility and God’s will in verses 19–21.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.
- Revelation 16:7
And I heard the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
- 2 Chronicles 19:7
Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.
- Job 8:3
Doth God pervert justice? Or doth the Almighty pervert righteousness?
- Genesis 18:25
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
- Romans 3:1
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision?
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