9:16a

So then: These words introduce a result that Paul wrote of based on what he wrote in 9:14–15. For example:

therefore (New International Version)

it does not depend on man’s desire or effort: The Greek is literally “not of the one desiring/willing nor of the one running.” This clause refers to the question of who receives God’s mercy. Which person receives it is not determined by what people want or what they do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

it is not a matter of what any person wants or what any person does (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God’s choice does not depend on a person’s desire or effort (God’s Word)
-or-
it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. (New Living Translation (2004))

9:16b

but on God’s mercy: The Greek is literally “but of the one having mercy, God.” The word God makes clear who “the one having mercy” is. Like in 9:16a, these words connect to God’s mercy or God’s choosing to have mercy. Only God chooses upon whom he will have mercy. Here are other ways to translate these words:

it is only a matter of what the one/One having mercy decides, ⌊and he is⌋ God
-or-
but on God, the one who is merciful
-or-
it is the one who shows mercy ⌊to people⌋, that is, God ⌊decides⌋ ⌊this/that⌋

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