Romans 9 is one of the most discussed—and often debated—chapters in the Bible. Paul opens with deep sorrow because so many of his fellow Jews have not embraced Jesus as the Messiah. He loves his people so much that he says he would be “cursed” if it meant they could all be saved (Romans 9:3). That’s compassion on a whole other level.
From there, Paul reminds us that God’s plan of salvation has always been about more than physical heritage. Being a descendant of Abraham doesn’t automatically make someone a child of God. As Paul says in verse 8, “The children of the promise are counted as Abraham’s descendants.” Salvation comes by faith, not by family tree.
To make this point, Paul reaches back into Israel’s history with the story of Jacob and Esau. Neither brother was perfect. Jacob, whose name means “cheater,” certainly wasn’t, but God chose Jacob’s line to carry forward His covenant promise. It was not favoritism or emotion; it was God’s sovereign decision to work through one nation to bless all nations through the Messiah.
This is where the conversation about God’s sovereignty and election begins. Paul is clear. Salvation does not depend on our effort but on God’s mercy (Romans 9:16). God is the one who saves. At the same time, the Bible also calls us to respond to Him in faith. Pharaoh’s story illustrates this tension: Scripture says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, yet it also says Pharaoh hardened his own heart. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are both true, even if we can’t fully grasp how they fit together.
Charles Spurgeon once said about God’s sovereignty and human free will, “I never reconcile two friends.” They’re not enemies in Scripture. They’re companions in God’s mysterious and perfect plan.
So what do we do with all of this? We do what Paul ultimately points us toward. We trust God’s goodness and we share the gospel. Whether someone comes to Christ because God sovereignly chose them before time began, or because He knew they would respond to His call, the command is the same: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
And here’s the hope: we are all valuable to Jesus. Our past doesn’t disqualify us, and our failures don’t surprise Him. Just as God used a flawed man like Jacob, He can use you. The invitation is open to everyone: “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
If you’ve never trusted Christ, today can be your day. If you already belong to Him, rest in this truth: your salvation is secure, not because you hold onto God tightly, but because He holds onto you. God’s sovereign choice and our willing response meet at the foot of the cross. There, Jesus—the true “stairway” between heaven and earth— makes a way for us to know God, to be forgiven, and to live forever with Him.