Devine Scripture

Romans 9:23

What does Romans 9:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 9:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 9:23 means

In contrast to wrath’s display, God’s aim is to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory. Here, mercy’s goal is not merely rescue from judgment but participation in God’s own glory. The language of prior preparation underscores the initiative of grace—God planned and formed a people to share His splendor. The vessels of mercy are crafted with a view to eternal honor, highlighting that salvation is not an afterthought but a purpose fixed in God’s heart before its unfolding in time.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to make clear the wealth of his glory to vessels of mercy, which he had before made ready for glory,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and that He might make known the riches of His glory on vessels of kindness, that He before prepared for glory, whom also He did call--us--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That he might shew the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he hath prepared unto glory?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he had before prepared for glory,

Context

Verse 23 completes the “what if” begun in verse 22 by presenting the positive side of God’s design: the glorification of vessels of mercy. The emphasis shifts from patience toward the rebellious to grace toward the called. Verse 24 will identify the recipients—drawn from both Jews and Gentiles—thereby tying the doctrine of election to the actual makeup of the church in Rome and to Paul’s larger burden for Israel’s place in God’s plan.

v.22What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction:

v.23This passage

v.24even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

Cross references

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

  • Romans 8:29

    For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

  • Luke 1:17

    And he shall go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.

  • Ephesians 3:16

    that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

  • Ephesians 2:7

    that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • 1 Peter 1:2

    according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

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