Translation errors? And more on grace
Romans 9:21 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
In the original Greek language for Romans 9:21, the words “one” and “another” are not present in the text. These words have been added by the translator. The translations could read “Hath not the potter power over the same lump of clay, to make it a vessel unto honor and unto dishonor?” This verse is not necessarily talking about two different people, but one person who has to capacity for both honor and dishonor, which actually describes everyone.
Romans9:22 “What if God, willing to shewhis wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:”
Romans 9:22 goes on the say that in God revealing wrath [in people] also will have much longsuffering (patience and slowness in avenging wrongs) towards that vessel which is being prepared for destruction. The part of our vessel which works in dishonor is fitted for or meant to be destroyed. See previous post on July 5 2014 concerning Romans 8:13, where we talk about putting to “death” the deeds of the body. Also see other previous posts which discuss the death of our carnal mind to allow for our second birth or spiritual birth. This verse does not make logical sense if it is talking about a person being completely destroyed? Why would God have longsuffering and patience towards someone, if they are only created to be completely destroyed? But rather parts of us are prepared to ultimately be destroyed.
Romans 9:23 “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”
The longsuffering of God and the daily destruction of the dishonorable parts of the vessel actually brings mercy to the vessel and prepares the vessel for glory [after parts are destroyed].
Romans 9: 27 “Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:”
The parts of us that remain after the dishonorable parts are removed are the parts that are saved or salvaged. Being “saved” represents the remnant parts of us that survive after going through the refining fire of God, as you might call it.
Romans 10:3 “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
The parts of us that think we ATTAIN righteousness and the boastfulness we get when we do “right”eousness, in our own eyes, are the “parts” of our vessel that actually need to be destroyed and/or submitted to God.
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,but thatall should come to repentance.”
The word “repentance” here mean a change of mind. So maybe parts of us really aren’t destroyed, we are just changed.