Romans 9:16
New International Version
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

New Living Translation
So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.

English Standard Version
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Berean Standard Bible
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Berean Literal Bible
So then, it is not of the willing, nor of the running, but of God showing mercy.

King James Bible
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

New King James Version
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

New American Standard Bible
So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.

NASB 1995
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

NASB 1977
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

Legacy Standard Bible
So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.

Amplified Bible
So then God’s choice is not dependent on human will, nor on human effort [the totality of human striving], but on God who shows mercy [to whomever He chooses—it is His sovereign gift].

Christian Standard Bible
So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.

American Standard Version
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.

Contemporary English Version
Everything then depends on God's mercy and not on what people want or do.

English Revised Version
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Therefore, God's choice does not depend on a person's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

Good News Translation
So then, everything depends, not on what we humans want or do, but only on God's mercy.

International Standard Version
Therefore, God's choice does not depend on a person's will or effort, but on God himself, who shows mercy.

Majority Standard Bible
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

NET Bible
So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

New Heart English Bible
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.

Webster's Bible Translation
So then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.

Weymouth New Testament
And from this we learn that everything is dependent not on man's will or endeavour, but upon God who has mercy. For the Scripture said to Pharaoh,

World English Bible
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so then—not of him who is willing, nor of him who is running, but of God who is doing kindness;

Berean Literal Bible
So then, it is not of the willing, nor of the running, but of God showing mercy.

Young's Literal Translation
so, then -- not of him who is willing, nor of him who is running, but of God who is doing kindness:

Smith's Literal Translation
Surely then, not of him willing, nor of him running, but of God commiserating.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, it is not based on those who choose, nor on those who excel, but on God who takes pity.

New American Bible
So it depends not upon a person’s will or exertion, but upon God, who shows mercy.

New Revised Standard Version
So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore, it is not within reach of him who wishes, nor within the reach of him who runs, but it is within the reach of the merciful God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Therefore it is not by means of him who wills, neither by means of him who runs, but in the hand of God, the merciful.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Therefore, it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.

Godbey New Testament
Then it is not of him that willeth, nor him that runneth, but of God who shows mercy.

Haweis New Testament
Well then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy.

Mace New Testament
so that this is a matter not dependent on him that wills or runs, but on God, who shews mercy.

Weymouth New Testament
And from this we learn that everything is dependent not on man's will or endeavour, but upon God who has mercy. For the Scripture said to Pharaoh,

Worrell New Testament
So, then, it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God Who hath mercy.

Worsley New Testament
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Sovereign Choice
15For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”…

Cross References
John 1:12-13
But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

John 6:44
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...

2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

Galatians 1:15-16
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased / to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,

Matthew 11:25-27
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. / Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. / All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

Exodus 33:19
“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Deuteronomy 7:7-8
The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. / But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.


Treasury of Scripture

So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.

Romans 9:11
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Genesis 27:1-4,9-14
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I…

Psalm 110:3
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Jump to Previous
Attempt Depend Dependent Depends Desire Effort Endeavour God's Kindness Learn Mercy Pharaoh Runneth Running Runs Scripture Sheweth Shews Showeth Willeth Willing Wills
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Attempt Depend Dependent Depends Desire Effort Endeavour God's Kindness Learn Mercy Pharaoh Runneth Running Runs Scripture Sheweth Shews Showeth Willeth Willing Wills
Romans 9
1. Paul is sorry for the Jews.
7. All of Abraham not of the promise.
18. God's sovereignty.
25. The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.
32. The cause of their stumbling.














So then
This phrase serves as a conclusion or summary of the preceding argument. In the context of Romans 9, Paul is discussing God's sovereign choice and the nature of His mercy. The Greek phrase "ἄρα οὖν" (ara oun) indicates a logical conclusion drawn from the previous verses, where Paul illustrates God's sovereign will through examples like Isaac and Jacob. This reminds us that the truths of God are not isolated but interconnected, forming a cohesive narrative of divine sovereignty and grace.

it does not depend
The Greek word here is "οὐ" (ou), meaning "not," combined with "ἐκ" (ek), meaning "from" or "out of." This phrase emphasizes the negation of human ability or initiative in the process of salvation. It underscores the futility of relying on human effort or willpower to achieve what only God can grant. This is a humbling reminder that our salvation is not a product of human endeavor but a gift from God.

on man’s desire
The word "θέλοντος" (thelontos) is derived from "θέλω" (thelō), meaning "to will" or "to desire." This highlights the human inclination or intention. In the context of salvation, Paul is asserting that human desire, no matter how earnest or sincere, is insufficient to secure God's favor. This challenges the notion of human autonomy in spiritual matters and points to the necessity of divine intervention.

or effort
The Greek term "τρέχοντος" (trechontos) comes from "τρέχω" (trechō), meaning "to run." This metaphor of running suggests exertion and striving. Paul uses this imagery to convey that no amount of human striving or effort can earn God's mercy. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that salvation is not a result of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:9).

but on God’s mercy
The word "ἐλεοῦντος" (eleountos) is from "ἔλεος" (eleos), meaning "mercy" or "compassion." This is the crux of the verse, emphasizing that salvation is entirely dependent on God's mercy. Mercy, in the biblical sense, is God's compassionate action towards humanity, not based on merit but on His lovingkindness. This reflects the heart of the Gospel, where God's mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13) and is freely given to those He chooses.

(16) Of him that runneth.--A metaphor taken from the foot-races as St. Paul may very possibly have seen them practised at Corinth. (Comp. Romans 9:16; Galatians 2:2; Galatians 5:7; Philippians 2:16.) The meaning is that the prize does not depend on human will or human effort, but on the grace of God.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
Ἄρα (Ara)
Conjunction
Strong's 686: Then, therefore, since. Probably from airo; a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive.

then,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

[it does] not [depend]
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

on man’s
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

desire
θέλοντος (thelontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

effort,
τρέχοντος (trechontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5143: Apparently a primary verb; which uses dremo drem'-o as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

on
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

mercy.
ἐλεῶντος (eleōntos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1653: To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.


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NT Letters: Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him (Rom. Ro)
Romans 9:15
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