The Potter's Power Over the Clay Romans 9:21

Paul the apostle asked the people in Rome, “who are you that reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-one of Romans, Paul asked his readers, “has not the potter power over the clay” where we read:

Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor,

and another unto dishonor?

The verse begins, “Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor,” Paul began with the word, “has not the potter” which means “doesn't the sculptor of pottery” “power” or “have the liberty, rule and authority of doing as he pleases” “over the clay” which means “with the mud or wet clay”, “of the same lump” or “with the selfsame mass or substance mixed with water and kneaded” “to make” or “to form, fashion and prepare” “one vessel” which means “a certain implement or utensil” “unto honor” or “toward deference or reverence”. Paul asked whether the person who sculpts “pottery” is able to “form or fashion” some of his pieces with high regard and “reverence”.

The verse goes on to say, “and another unto dishonor?” Paul continued with the words, “and another” which means “and an other piece of pottery” “unto dishonor” which means “toward ignominy and disgrace”. Paul shared how the “potter” is able to make other pieces “disgraceful”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how the “potter” is the one who decides the use of the pieces he creates. For example, a potter could make an expensive bowl or vase with his “lump of clay” or he could fashion a “sink or toilet”. The expensive piece might be kept in a lighted cabinet and valued greatly as a piece of art, however, the other piece might by used roughly and with great disregard. Paul demonstrates how God is the one who decides the different uses for His creation, and no one is able to “dispute” or “contradict” Him successfully. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of every person regardless of their “honorable” or “dishonorable” status in life. In other words, God “values” everyone, and the way He made them was by His own regard. Those who are wise shall realize how valuable they are no matter what their status may be, and this value was demonstrated by the price God paid with His Son's own blood on the cross of Calvary.

Next time we see Paul tells his readers how God, “endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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