I have in the past studied the first three words of Romans 9:22 which the Apostle Paul places in the realm of the hypothetical. Dr. A.T. Robertson, the Greek scholar who was once Professor of N.T. interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky seems to be saying something similar as to what I am indicating. Volume IV p. 384 in his book “Word Pictures of the N.T.” says,
‘Paul does not say here that God did it or that they did it. That they are responsible may be seen from I Thess. 2:15f. Unto destruction (eis apoleian). Endless perdition (Matt. 7:13; II Thess. 2:3; Phil. 3:19, not annihilation.’
I think he could have used better passages to prove his point but this is his exact quote above.
While the Apostle Paul speaks of this being hypothetical and or theoretical, Calvinists suggest that Romans nine portrays God, out of Character, hating and autocratically ordaining some to Hell and some to Heaven, while N.T. interpretation portrays the true God as loving lost ones. [John 3:16] In fact, this Lamb of God has taken away the sin of the world. [John 1:29 & I John 2:2]
God does not dominate human beings; He knocks at the heart’s door. [Revelation 3:20]
Another quote from Dr. Robertson on the same page says, ‘Paul thus claims clearly God’s sovereign right (exousian, power, right, authority, from exesti) to use men (already sinners) for His own purpose.’
All sinners are responsible to God [John 3:18]. Jesus does not take one lump of clay and mold some people into being vessels to destruction. Neither does He take clay forming it into men and women who He has preordained to Heaven and eternal life. We will be judged according to what we have done with Christ. Did we receive His Son or reject or neglect Jesus. [I John 5:12]
God speaking through the Apostle Paul is suggesting that while sinners remain in an unsaved condition of heart, He may and does use men like Pharaoh to show His mighty power. In Pharaoh's case it was to show the Lord's superior power and authority over the 'paper tiger' and world leader called the Pharaoh of Egypt. [Read Romans 9:17] To this fact, we cannot say God why did you do this.
