He Hardens Whomever He Wills – Romans 9:14-18

He comes now to the second part, the rejection of the ungodly, and as there seems to be something more unreasonable in this, he endeavors to make it more fully evident, how God, in rejecting whom he wills, is not only irreprehensible, but also wonderful in his wisdom and justice. He then takes his proof from Exodus 9:16, where the Lord declares that it was he who raised up Pharaoh for this end, that while he obstinately strove to resist the power of God, he might, by being overcome and subdued, afford a proof how invincible the arm of God is; to bear with, much less to resist it, no human power is able. There are here two things to be considered, — the predestination of Pharaoh to ruin, which is to be referred to the past and yet the hidden counsel of God, — and then, the design of this, which was to make known the name of God; and on this does Paul primarily dwell. – John Calvin

Passage: Romans 9:14-18