Discovery BoxRomans 9:18-20 
Context9:18 So then, 1 God 2 has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden. 3
9:19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?” 9:20 But who indeed are you – a mere human being 4 – to talk back to God? 5 Does what is molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 6
1 sn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what he has been arguing.
2 tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Grk “So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.”
4 tn Grk “O man.”
5 tn Grk “On the contrary, O man, who are you to talk back to God?”
6 sn A quotation from Isa 29:16; 45:9.
