We come now in our study of this epistle to the Romans to the section which starts in the

ninth chapter at the 14th verse. I should rather say subsection, because this is a subsection

of the greater whole which runs from the beginning of the ninth chapter right until the

end of the 11th chapter. Now I read at the beginning of the beginning of the ninth chapter right until the end of the 11th chapter.

Now, I read at the beginning to the end of verse 18,

but let me go on reading to the end of verse 24,

in order that we may get this particular subsection more clearly in our minds.

Thou wilt say then unto me, why doth he yet find fault?

For who hath resisted his will?

Nay but o men, who art thou that repliest against God?

Shall the thing formed, say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus?

Hath not the potter of power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel and to

honour and another and to dishonour? What if God, willing to show his wrath and to make his power

known, endured with much long suffering,

the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, and that he might make known the riches of his glory

and the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

even us whom he hath called not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.

Now, the particular subsection that we are beginning to consider is that which starts at verse

14 and goes on in that way to the end of verse 24.

Now, obviously, it is essential, before we can apply our minds

intelligently to this subsection, it is essential that we should remember, at any rate in general,

the point at which we've arrived, and the truth that the apostle has already established.

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