Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary
Romans 9 - Introduction
9. Israel’s rejection of the Gospel (a great grief and incessant pain to S. Paul and (Romans 9:4) a great problem in the economy of redemption), (Romans 9:6) is not due to a failure of GOD’S word, for the condition of acceptance was not a carnal descent but a spiritual, and depended upon GOD’S selection of men for special purposes. (Romans 9:14) This selection was righteous, because it was directed to the execution of His purpose of mercy and was the effect of mercy, by revealing to men His power and character, and (Romans 9:19) acted in accordance with qualities exhibited by men, in their response, as creatures, to the purpose of their creation, shown in the case of Israel, (Romans 9:24) as diagnosed by the prophets, (Romans 9:30) partly succeeding and partly failing to grasp the true nature of righteousness and the means of its attainment.