How Romans 9 Doesn't Support Calvinism

A verse-by-verse analysis of the use of the Old Testament in Romans 9 which shows what I think Paul is teaching (and how his argument does not support a typical Calvinistic reading).

[JoelKorytko]

A heads up that I accidently said "Israel" when I meant "Jews (at the time of Paul)". It should be pretty clear when I made that mistake.

Also: sorry for the runny nose. I haven't been able to kick a longlasting illness. Thanks for watching!

[DG-fvex]

Old Testament use in New Testament exegesis is immensely refreshing to see, especially from a bonafide scholar. Thank you!

[TheRockofGod]

I'm only halfway through, but it is already a better explanation of Romans 9 than I have ever heard. Very consistent and logical, doesn't take any major leaps in logic, and honestly clarifies a lot of what I've always thought about Romans. That Paul has a heavy emphasis on the Old Testament, and not about some strange, and novel, esoteric understanding of the word "Election"
thank you so much Dr. Korytko

[michaelgriffiths]

I been watching this again, and again to finally get to grips with what I also believe Paul is talking about. A forty year journey out of Calvinism, at last there is light

[stacyball]

Hey brother, my name is Jonathan (using my wife’s account) but I want to thank you for your work and willingness to make these videos. I know life was already full before you started making these. I am so blessed by your insights and it confirms the understanding that the Lord has been leading me too, and you are fortifying those truths with much more detail and scholarly wisdom. Don’t stop!
I love you bro

[SpielbergMichael]

This was wonderful!
Thank you very much.

I hope you feel lead to make more videos like this - opening up the scriptures and pointing out all the call backs to the Old Testament scriptures. The colours within the text were REALLY HELPFUL.
(Although I don’t know Greek, I really want to see you go into the Greek, but when you do, please also put the English text/translation on the screen as well - this helps me to be able to follow your train of thought (because then I don’t have to hold 2 things in my head at the same time: the English translation AND the conclusion/train of thought you’re drawing from that - so if you have the English on the screen as well, it makes it easier for me to follow what you’re saying/arguing from that).

Btw, I wouldn’t worry about length at all - I think the people interested in this type of content have no problem with 2 hour videos.
Anything over 2 hours maybe could be split into parts. Part 1 video 2 hours, part 2 video 2 hours, etc.
Just my 2 cents.

Thank you again so much for this.

My only surprise was that you didn’t go to the end of the chapter and verses 30-32.
In your final conclusion/minutes you were basically saying that, but I was just surprised you didn’t point out that Paul says that very thing in this chapter - and which Calvinists ignore:

God has always made sovereign choices about who will be the good pots - and his ultimate sovereign choice for that was to be through people having faith in Jesus - which is what Romans 9:30-32 says.
If anyone resists believing in Jesus, they get hardened/used for dishonourable pots. If anyone has faith in Jesus, they get made into honourable pots.

May God bless you and your loved ones abundantly!

Hope you feel all better soon!

Maybe you could do similar videos about Ephesians 1 and John 6.

[scottibreiding]

the sentiments of “i followed all the law, how is this fair for the requirements to change” sounds similar to tone expressed by the brother in the parable of the prodigal son.

[spartianknight.]

Mr Korytko - This video was too short. After decades of bad teachings I think we can sit through detailed videos like this regardless of their length. Finally someone who seems to actually understand a subject. Great job!

[molliebrown]

I was incredibly sad this video ended… I could have listened for as long as you wanted! Lol Very interesting…. I am reformed but have never heard this before. Praying and pondering. Would LOVE to hear more. Thank you!!

[primeobjective]

Joel, your scholarly commentary offers a refreshing and insightful exploration of the Old Testament in Romans 9.

This is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand this rich and challenging passage.

Whether a seasoned theologian or someone approaching the text for the first time -- either one who watches your video -- your insightful and practical guide illuminates our study and deepens our faith.

Thank you.

[soccerman]

Outstanding explanation! I have been told, and I agree, that context kills Calvinism.

[alldayfacts-]

Wish I’d seen this 5 years ago. You e given me peace that Calvinism had robbed. Thank you

[patricepetel]

I was hoping you would go on and put out something!!!! Happy to see this this morning in my feed.

[-the_dark_knight]

Excellent stuff and makes a lot more sense in seeing the connection with the Old Testament, versus making it about the Reformed vs. Arminian debate hundreds of years later.

[solomonmachado]

Joel this was refreshing!! I’m tired of hearing that Calvinism is only conclusion of a slow, clear, and concise exegesis of Roman’s 9. You just proved that wrong!! Great work!!

[MichaelLander-pkmy]

Excellent exegesis! Thank you for letting the context lead instead of starting with your presumption that this text is teaching a certain systematic theology. I just have one complaint - only two videos? I am requesting that you could do a video on Romans 8:28-30 and more.

[chrisharris]

I don’t think you laid out what Paul was doing in the first 8 chapters well, and that causes you to get the context wrong coming into 9. Paul is not saying in 1-8 that the New Covenant results in right living as the Old Covenant was attempting to provide. To be honest, that’s antithetical to the Gospel, as the Old Covenant was meant to point people to their need in grace (albeit the Old was itself gracious, but I digress), to point people to the work of the coming Messiah.

Rather, Paul’s case in the first 8 chapters was to cut everyone down to the same level. That being a Jew doesn’t make one better than a Gentile, that everyone has the same problem and requires the same solution, which is of course Jesus by faith. From what Paul lays out, a Jew might get the idea that all of the promises given to the Israelites in the Old Testament were now being fulfilled in the Gentiles, as though God is going back on what he promised the Jews. So, in 9 Paul begins to lay out that God is faithful to his promises, always had been and always will be, but those promises are his and are fulfilled in his time and in his ways. God’s faithfulness is being defended in chapter 9.

[Provision]

Thank you, brother! I want to encourage you to continue to bless the body of Christ with your knowledge of the Greek language!

[adriannelea]

If you get a chance it would be helpful for you to continue the commentary through Romans 10 & 11 next, showing how this line of reasoning is more cohesive with the entirety of the epistle compared to more Calvinistic interpretations.

[kimberlychristianos]

Thank you so much! This was interesting and I learned from it. I especially appreciate you bringing in the Old testament framework for this, it helps with the understanding of what Paul wrote.