(The reader should always turn to the Bible and read the passages referred to.)

QUES. 5.-Can you give us an exposition of Romans 9:14 to 25, especially verse 18? We are finding some difficulty over this chapter. Please give us some help if possible.

ANS.-The subject is too large for a detailed answer in Help and Food; but, briefly, it is this:Is it unjust with God to act in grace according to His own heart toward those who have forfeited all claims to His blessings? Clearly, it is His right to bless whom He will-even the unworthy. It was lawful and just for God to turn to the Gentiles (unworthy though they were) after bearing with unrepentant Israel in idolatry for centuries. Likewise it is His lawful right to take out whom He will from rebellious Gentiles in whom His sovereign grace is to be displayed. Note that it is always in grace, according to His nature, that God acts in sovereign will-never so in judgment, which is "His strange work." In the parable of Matt. 20, that of the laborers in the vineyard, our Lord asserts His right to act in grace towards whom He will:"Is it not lawful for Me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good?" Blessed are they who trust His grace, instead of their own supposed right.

For extensive exposition of this chapter 9 see Numerical Bible on Romans, pages 255 and following. T. O. L.