Before people are born, God chooses who will be saved. Paul anticipates people will raise the objection that this is not fair (v14). Paul emphasises once more that salvation is  down  to  the  action  of  God showing mercy on whom He pleases (v15-16), and he then goes on to speak of God having the right to raise some people up for salvation and others for destruction (v17-23).

There is a mystery here, but what we need to catch sight of is the fact that God as Creator has the right to deal with His creatures as He pleases. What we can be sure of is that what God does is always righteous. ‘Indeed O man, who are you to reply against God?’ (v20)

The truth is that none of us deserve to be chosen for salvation. Paul’s desire is for us to see how amazing it is that this holy God reaches down after sinners, and not just Jews but also Gentiles (v24). We need to realise how guilty and deserving of wrath we all are, and yet we read these beautiful verses of God’s grace (v25-27). God through Jesus reaches after a people who’d never search after Him. Gentiles like us have found salvation through faith and it is all down to God’s wonderful grace (v30-33). Praise God for such grace shown to you!