Understanding Romans 9:14-24: Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on God's Sovereignty

What is the main theme of Romans 9:14-24 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 9:14-24 addresses God's sovereignty in salvation through the principle of election. The apostle Paul is dealing with a critical objection that arises from his previous teaching - that God chooses some for salvation and not others based entirely on His own will, not on anything in us. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul is demonstrating "that God carries out his great purpose of salvation by means of the principle of election or selection," and that this salvation "depends upon God himself, what he does, and in no respect whatsoever upon us."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones refute the idea that Romans 9 is only about nations, not individuals?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones refutes this interpretation with several arguments:

1. Jacob and Esau were first individuals before becoming heads of nations
2. Paul's entire argument through Romans is about individual salvation
3. In verse 15, God says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy" - referring to individuals
4. Verse 24 clearly mentions individuals: "even us whom he hath called not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles"

Lloyd-Jones states this interpretation is an attempt to "get rid of the individual aspect" because people "don't like the idea and the teaching of personal election to salvation."

What are the four common misinterpretations of Romans 9 that Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies four common misinterpretations:

1. That Paul is dealing with nations rather than individual salvation
2. That Paul is only discussing election to position and privilege, not eternal salvation
3. That Paul is merely justifying the method of salvation (justification by faith) rather than addressing who receives salvation
4. That God chose certain individuals because in His foreknowledge He saw they would be good or faithful

He rejects all these interpretations as attempts to evade the clear teaching of the text.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the objection in Romans 9:14 confirms his interpretation?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the nature of the objection in verse 14 ("Is there unrighteousness with God?") confirms his interpretation of the preceding verses. He explains: "The very form in which he puts the objection helps us to determine and to decide whether our exposition up to date has been the right one." If Paul were merely teaching that God rewards faith or foresees who will believe, there would be no reason for anyone to object that God is unrighteous. The objection only makes sense if Paul is teaching that God sovereignly chooses some and not others based entirely on His will, not on anything in the person.

What spirit does Dr. Lloyd-Jones urge believers to have when approaching difficult doctrines?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges believers to approach this difficult doctrine with:

1. Humility - "Let us approach this passage with reverence"
2. Recognition of our limitations - "Let us recognize before we begin that we are not in a position to understand everything"
3. Submission to Scripture - "We've got to submit ourselves to the scriptures and we've got to submit ourselves to the whole of scripture"
4. Patience - "Don't be too ready to say, I don't understand this. I can't see that. Calm down."
5. Prayer for understanding - "Pray God to give you understanding and enlightenment"
6. Avoidance of bitterness, impatience, debate-mentality or partisan spirit

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones view the authority of Scripture in addressing difficult doctrines?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the absolute authority of Scripture. He points out that Paul's method of addressing the objection is to quote Scripture: "Having laid down this imaginary objection...he says, 'for he saith to Moses,' and he quotes scripture." Lloyd-Jones argues that Paul treats Scripture as the word of God, not merely human opinion.

He warns against saying, "that's only the opinion of the apostle Paul," calling this a denial of the inspiration of Scripture. He states: "The moment you begin to speak like that, you are denying that the New Testament scriptures are the inspired, infallible word of God." For Lloyd-Jones, our submission must be complete: "We mustn't only believe the scripture when we happen to agree with it. We must believe it when we don't."

What historical perspective does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer on the doctrine of election?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that the doctrine of election as he presents it has been the mainstream position throughout church history. He mentions that "the great majority of the greatest teachers in the christian church throughout the centuries have believed and have taught this doctrine exactly as the apostle Paul puts it."

He specifically lists Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Hodge, and Robert Haldane. He points out that this doctrine is in the 39 Articles of the Church of England and that until about 1860, all denominations in Britain except the Methodists held to it.

What is the ultimate purpose of the doctrine of election according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the ultimate purpose of the doctrine of election is to give believers assurance of salvation. He explains: "What the apostle is really concerned to do is to show that you and I, in spite of what we are still, in spite of our fallibility, our frailty, our weakness, our inconstancy, our lack of diligence, our ignorance, our proneness to sin...if you are born again at all, if you are a child of God at all, well, then you'll always be that."

The doctrine isn't merely for academic debate but to assure believers that "if you are in the purpose of God, you will always be in the purpose of God." Since salvation depends entirely on God's purpose rather than human effort or constancy, it is "safe, it is sure. It is final. It is certain."