9:15a

For: Here this word introduces a quote from the Old Testament that supports what Paul said in 9:14b.

He says to Moses: The Greek and the Berean Standard Bible use the present tense here. Greek scholars call it the historical present. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used. In English, this is the past tense. For example:

he said to Moses (Good News Translation)

This clause introduces a quote from Scripture. Some language translations always note that in their translations. For example:

⌊In Scripture⌋ he said to Moses

9:15b–c

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion”: The Hebrew language repeats a similar meaning for emphasis. It is a poetic form in Hebrew.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have mercy refers to being concerned for someone in a bad situation and helping him in some way. This includes even forgiving him for something bad he did. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have compassion refers to being concerned or sad for someone in a bad situation. It may or may not imply helping the person.

Some languages will have two words, one for have mercy and one for have compassion. For example:

“I will show mercy to whom I will, I will take pity on whom I will.” (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
“I am the one who rules/governs whom I will pity/have mercy on. I am the one who rules as to whom I will have compassion for (lit. emotionally-stirred liver).”

But it will be difficult in some languages to find two words that have such similar meanings. If that is true in your language, you may want to use just one word and use some other way than repetition to emphasize the words here. For example:

I will have mercy/pity on whom I ⌊chose to⌋ have mercy/pity on. Very true!

I will have mercy on whom I have mercy: This clause indicates that God chooses whom he will have mercy on. For example:

I will show mercy to anyone I choose (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will be merciful to anyone I want to (God’s Word)

mercy: This word refers to being concerned for someone in a bad situation and helping him in some way, including even forgiving him for something bad he did.

General Comment on 9:15b–c

This quote is from Exodus 33:19. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

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