Romans 8: The Context of Romans 9

Romans 9 is a continuation of an argument Paul starts in chapter 1 and builds out from there. The first part of chapter 9 connects to chapter 2.

Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
(Romans 2:27-29)

The linchpin of the argument Paul builds within the entire letter is found in Romans 3.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
(Romans 3:21-26)

The entire letter is showing that the only person who is justified by God is the one whom God has given faith to believe.

 

Not only faith, but faith and WORKS both are fruit of the spirit, i.e., God has wrought within writing the work of the law in our hearts:

13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified:
14 (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves;
15 in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them); Ro 2

 

Because of faith, the effect is good works.
In the gospels the rich young ruler says "good teacher". Jesus says only God is good. Thus for faith to be good, it must come entirely from God alone.

 

No, because of the birth from above the effect is good works and faith.

 

Good works only come from faith. The Spirit quickening us is the cause of faith.

 

You're brainwashed with justification by 'faith alone' garbage. What sort of Calvinist are you? It's regeneration BEFORE faith, remember? It's 'by their fruits you shall know them'. Christ sent the apostles out to preach the gospel with the instructions 'seek out those that are worthy'. What was it that made them 'worthy'? (think Cornelius, or Lydia, or the Ethiopian eunuch, or...)

If you truly believe in total depravity, surely if you do any thinking of your own you've asked yourself what makes one 'worthy' to hear the gospel?

 

You mean to tell me that the God that speaks and it is, commands and it stands fast, created the universe and all that's in it, needs us mere mortal sinners to help us save ourselves?... God is my all in all and if it was not for the intervention of God, none would be saved... That is why he sent his Son Jesus The Christ... In my belief the LORD "ALWAYS"... beats the preacher to the creature!... Or none would be saved!... Brother Glen

Matthew 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

Of course God makes us alive before faith, yet we are justified by faith. Paul is clear on both points.

 

Spot on. Huge improvement.

 

It is what I said the first time.

 

Huge improvement from before.

 

No difference from the original. You just misunderstood the first time.