Devine Scripture

Romans 9:19

What does Romans 9:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 9:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 9:19 means

Paul voices the human objection: if no one can resist God’s will, how can He blame anyone? This question presses the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Paul does not deny the weight of the issue, but he refuses to put God in the dock. The challenge, as framed, assumes a right to judge God’s ways. Paul will redirect the discussion by reminding us who we are—creatures—and who God is—the sovereign Maker. The point is to call for humility and to resist conclusions that contradict the clear witness of Scripture to both God’s rule and human culpability.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But you will say to me, Why does he still make us responsible? who is able to go against his purpose?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Thou wilt say, then, to me, `Why yet doth He find fault? for His counsel who hath resisted?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thou wilt say therefore to me: Why doth he then find fault? For who resisteth his will?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thou wilt say to me then, Why does he yet find fault? for who resists his purpose?

Context

After asserting God’s freedom in mercy and hardening (v. 18), Paul anticipates the charge of unfairness regarding blame (v. 19). He will respond, not by a detailed philosophical system, but by reasserting God’s right as Creator over His creatures (vv. 20–21). Then, in verses 22–24, he will unfold how God’s patience and purpose in wrath and mercy serve to display His glory, including the calling of both Jews and Gentiles.

v.18So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.

v.19This passage

v.20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 14:21

    For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

  • Daniel 4:35

    and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

  • Isaiah 10:6

    I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Psalms 76:10

    Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: The residue of wrath shalt thou gird upon thee.

  • James 1:13

    Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:12

    Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

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