foreknowledge, falls to the ground: for Paul teaches us, that the ruin of the wicked is not only
foreseen by the Lord, but also ordained by his counsel and his will; and Solomon teaches as the
same thing, — that not only the destruction of the wicked is foreknown, but that the wicked
themselves have been created for this very end — that they may perish. (Proverbs 16:4.)
Romans 9:19-21
- Dices itaque mihi, Quid adhuc
conqueritur? voluntati ejus quis re-stitit? - Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he
yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? - Atqui, O homo, tu quis es qui contendis
judicio cum Deo! hum dicit fictile figulo, cur me
sic fecisti? - Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest
against God? Shall the thing formed say to him
that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? - An non habet potestatem fi-gulus luti ex
eadem massa, faciendi, aliud quidem vas in
honorem, aliud in contumeliam? - Hath not the potter power over the clay,
of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour,
and another unto dishonour? - Thou wilt then say, etc. Here indeed the flesh especially storms, that is, when it hears that
they who perish have been destined by the will of God to destruction. Hence the Apostle adopts
again the words of an opponent; for he saw that the mouths of the ungodly could not be restrained
from boldly clamouring against the righteousness of God: and he very fitly expresses their mind;
for being not content with defending themselves, they make God guilty instead of themselves; and
then, after having devolved on him the blame of their own condemnation, they become indignant
against his great power.^302 They are indeed constrained to yield; but they storm, because they cannot
resist; and ascribing dominion to him, they in a manner charge him with tyranny. In the same
manner the Sophists in their schools foolishly dispute on what they call his absolute justice, as
though forgetful of his own righteousness, he would try the power of his authority by throwing all
things into confusion. Thus then speak the ungodly in this passage, — “What cause has he to be
angry with us? Since he has formed us such as we are, since he leads us at his will where he pleases,
what else does he in destroying us but punish his own work in us? For it is not in our power to
contend with him; how much soever we may resist, he will yet have the upper hand. Then unjust
will be his judgment, if he condemns us; and unrestrainable is the power which he now employs
towards us.” What does Paul say to these things? - But, O man! who art thou? etc.^303 As it is a participle in Greek, we may read what follows
in the present tense, who disputest, or contendest, or strivest in opposition to God; for it is expressed
The Rev. G. Holden is very indignant that this text has been applied to support the doctrine of reprobation. Be it, that it has
been misapplied; yet the doctrine does not thereby fall to the ground. If Paul does not maintain it in this chapter and in other
passages, we must hold that words have no meaning. The history of God’s providence is an obvious confirmation of the same
awful truth. — Ed.(^302) The clause rendered by Calvin, “Quid adhuc conqueritur — why does he yet complain?” is rendered by Beza, “quid adhuc
suecenset — why is he yet angry?” Our common version is the best, and is followed by Doddridge, Macknight, and Stuart The
, in the next clause, is omitted by Calvin, but Griesbach says that it ought to be retained. — Ed.
(^303) “But” is not sufficiently emphatical here; μ ; “yes, verily,” in Romans 10:18; “yea, rather,” in Luke 11:28; “doubtless,”
in Philippians 3:8; it may be rendered here, “nay, rather.” — Ed.