Romans 9 · Verse 14

Romans 9:14

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Romans 9:14, King James Version

Romans 9:14 in other translations

BSBWhat then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!
WEBWhat shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be!
ASVWhat shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
YLTWhat, then, shall we say? unrighteousness is with God? let it not be!
DARBYWhat shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Far be the thought.
BBEWhat may we say then? is God not upright? let it not be said.
WebsterWhat shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? By no means.

What does Romans 9:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid--This is the first of two objections to the foregoing doctrine, that God chooses one and rejects another, not on account of their works, but purely in the exercise of His own good pleasure: "This doctrine is inconsistent with the justice of God." The answer to this objection extends to Ro 9:19, where we have the second objection.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. What shall we say then? What conclusion shall we draw from these acknowledged facts, and from these positive declarations of Scripture?

Is there unrighteousness with God? Does God do injustice or wrong? This charge has often been brought against the doctrine here advanced. But this charge the apostle strongly repels. He meets it by further showing that it is the doctrine explicitly taught in the Old Testament, (Rom 9:15,17,) and that it is founded on the principles of equity, and on just views of the sovereignty of God, Rom 9:19-23.

God forbid. Rom 3:4.

(o) "unrighteousness" De 32:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 What shall we say then? - To what conclusion shall we come on the facts before us? Shall we suggest that God's bestowing peculiar privileges in this unequal manner, on those who otherwise are in equal circumstances, is inconsistent with justice and equity? By no means. Whatever God does is right, and he may dispense his blessings to whom and or what terms he pleases.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 9:14-24
Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein the holy, happy people of God differ from others, God's grace alone makes them differ. In this preventing, effectual, distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor, whose grace is his own. None have deserved it; so that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those who perish, must blame themselves only, Hos 13:9. God is bound no further than he has been pleased to bind himself by his own covenant and promise, which is his revealed will. And this is, that he will receive, and not cast out, those that come to Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming, is an anticipating, distinguishing favour to whom he will. Why does he yet find fault? This is not an objection to be made by the creature against his Creator, by man against God. The truth, as it is in Jesus, abases man as nothing, as less than nothing, and advances God as sovereign Lord of all. Who art thou that art so foolish, so feeble, so unable to judge the Divine counsels? It becomes us to submit to him, not to reply against him. Would not men allow the infinite God the same sovereign right to manage the affairs of the creation, as the potter exercises in disposing of his clay, when of the same lump he makes one vessel to a more honourable, and one to a meaner use? God could do no wrong, however it might appear to men. God will make it appear that he hates sin. Also, he formed vessels filled with mercy. Sanctification is the preparation of the soul for glory. This is God's work. Sinners fit themselves for hell, but it is God who prepares saints for heaven; and all whom God designs for heaven hereafter, he fits for heaven now. Would we know who these vessels of mercy are? Those whom God has called; and these not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles. Surely there can be no unrighteousness in any of these Divine dispensations. Nor in God's exercising long-suffering, patience, and forbearance towards sinners under increasing guilt, before he brings utter destruction upon them. The fault is in the hardened sinner himself. As to all who love and fear God, however such truths appear beyond their reason to fathom, yet they should keep silence before him. It is the Lord alone who made us to differ; we should adore his pardoning mercy and new-creating grace, and give diligence to make our calling and election sure.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Romans 9:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤίTiWhatG5101
οὖνounthenG3767
ἐροῦμεν;eroumenwill we say?G4483
μὴmēNotG3361
ἀδικίαadikiainjusticeG93
παρὰparawithG3844
τῷtō<the>G3588
θεῷ;theōGod [is there]?G2316
μὴmēNeverG3361
γένοιτο.genoitowould it be!G1096

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 9:14

  • 2 Chronicles 19:7

    Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

  • Psalms 145:17

    The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

  • Deuteronomy 32:4

    He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

  • Job 34:10-12

    Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

  • Psalms 92:15

    To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

  • Revelation 16:7

    And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

  • Job 8:3

    Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

  • Genesis 18:25

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • Revelation 15:3-4

    And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

  • Jeremiah 12:1

    Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

  • Job 35:2

    Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
shall.
3:1,5
Is there unrighteousness.
2:5; 3:5,6; Ge 18:25; De 32:4; 2Ch 19:7; Job 8:3; 34:10-12,18,19
Job 35:2; Ps 92:15; 145:17; Jer 12:1; Re 15:3,4; 16:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 9:13

    As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

  • Romans 9:14

    What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

  • Romans 9:15

    For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Read all of Romans 9

Romans 9:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
¿Pues qué diremos? ¿Que hay injusticia en Dios? En ninguna manera.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Que dirons-nous donc? Y a-t-il de l’injustice en Dieu? Qu’ainsi n’advienne!
German
Elberfelder 1871
Was sollen wir nun sagen? Ist etwa Ungerechtigkeit bei Gott? Das sei ferne!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Quid ergo dicemus? numquid iniquitas apud Deum? Absit.