Romans 9:16-18

9:16 So then,¹ it does not depend on human desire or exertion,² but on God who shows mercy. 9:17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh:³ “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate my power in you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”⁴ 9:18 So then,⁵ God⁶ has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden.⁷

¹sn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what he has been arguing.

²tn Grk “So then, [it does] not [depend] on the one who desires nor on the one who runs.”

³sn Paul uses a typical rabbinic formula here in which the OT scriptures are figuratively portrayed as speaking to Pharaoh. What he means is that the scripture he cites refers (or can be applied) to Pharaoh.

⁴sn A quotation from Exod 9:16.

⁵sn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what he has been arguing.

⁶tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷tn Grk “So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.”