ROM 9:21 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Doesn’t the potter have the right to split the lump of clay and make a beautiful bowl out of half and a chamber pot out of the other half?

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Or does the potter not have authority over the clay to make from the same lump not only what is a vessel for honor, but also what is for dishonor?

UST God can surely do whatever he wants to do with what he has made. In the same way, someone who makes containers can do whatever he wants to do with his materials. From the same material he can make both containers for special use and containers for ordinary use.

BLB Or does the potter not have authority over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel unto honor, but one unto dishonor?

AICNT Or does not the potter have authority over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

OEB Has not the potter absolute power over their clay, so that out of the same lump they make one thing for better, and another for common, use?

WEBBE Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honour, and another for dishonour?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Has the potter no right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special use and another for ordinary use?

LSV Does the potter not have authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honor and one to dishonor?

FBV Doesn't a potter have the right to use the same batch of clay to make both a decorative bowl and an everyday pot?[fn]

9:21 Literally, “pots of value and dishonor.”

TCNT Does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?

T4T Instead, ◄the potter certainly has the right to take some clay and from one lump of clay make one pot that people will honor and make another one for ordinary purposes [MET]./does not a potter have the right to take some clay and from one lump of clay make one pot that people will honor and make another pot for ordinary purposes?► [MET, RHQ] Similarly, God has the right to carry out what he purposes for people.

LEB Or does the potter not have authority over the clay, to make from the same lump a vessel that is for _⌊honorable use_⌋[fn] and one that is for _⌊ordinary use_⌋[fn]?

9:21 Literally “honor”

9:21 Literally “dishonor”

BBE Or has not the potter the right to make out of one part of his earth a vessel for honour, and out of another a vessel for shame?

Moff What! has the potter no right over the clay? Has he no right to make out of the same lump one vessel for a noble purpose and another for a menial?

Wymth Or has not the potter rightful power over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel for more honourable and another for less honourable uses?

ASV Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?

DRA Or hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump, to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

YLT hath not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make the one vessel to honour, and the one to dishonour?

Drby Or has not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour?

RV Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
(Or hath/has not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? )

SLT Or has not the potter power over the clay, of the same mixture truly to make one vessel for honour, and one for dishonour.

Wbstr Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel to honor, and another to dishonor?

KJB-1769 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

KJB-1611 Hath not the potter power ouer the clay, of the same lumpe, to make one vessell vnto honour, and another vnto dishonour?
(Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lumpe, to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?)

Bshps Hath not the potter power ouer the clay, euen of the same lumpe to make one vessel vnto honour, and another vnto dishonour?
(Hath not the potter power over the clay, even of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?)

Gnva Hath not the potter power of the clay to make of the same lumpe one vessell to honour, and another vnto dishonour?
(Hath not the potter power of the clay to make of the same lump one vessel to honour, and another unto dishonour? )

Cvdl Hath not the potter power, out of one lompe of claye to make one vessell vnto honoure, and another vnto dishonoure?
(Hath not the potter power, out of one lompe of clay to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonoure?)

TNT Hath not the potter power over the claye even of the same lompe to make one vessell vnto honoure and a nother vnto dishonoure?
(Hath not the potter power over the clay even of the same lompe to make one vessel unto honour and a nother unto dishonoure? )

Wycl Whether a potter of cley hath not power to make of the same gobet o vessel in to honour, an othere in to dispit?
(Whether a potter of clay hath/has not power to make of the same gobet o vessel in to honour, anothere in to dispit?)

Luth Hat nicht ein Töpfer Macht, aus einem Klumpen zu machen ein Faß zu Ehren und das andere zu Unehren?
(Hat not a potter power(n), out_of on Klumpen to/for make a Faß to/for honour(n) and the other/different to/for Unehren?)

ClVg an non habet potestatem figulus luti ex eadem massa facere aliud quidem vas in honorem, aliud vero in contumeliam?[fn]
(an not/no has power figulus luti from the_same massa to_do something_else indeed vessel in/into/on honour, something_else indeed/however in/into/on insult? )

9.21 Ex eadem massa. Sic tota massa humani generis juste corrupta, et lutosa est: si inde vas in honorem, misericordia est; si in contumeliam, justum est, quia hoc erat ex natura: ecce justitia in his qui non habent tempus operandi; de his autem qui habent tempus subdit: quid si Deus volens, scilicet quid respondeas Deo. Aliud in contumeliam. Vas in honorem, sed in contumeliam: si vile est; ex se lutum habet, non ex figulo. Quid si Deus, etc. AUG., lib. 1, ad Simplicianum, quæst. 2. Quasi dicat: Jam ostensum est; quod etsi Deus nihil boni det, non tamen iniquus est, etc., usque ad sed abusi sunt hac gratia.

9.21 From the_same massa. So the_whole massa human kind justly corrupted, and lutosa it_is: when/but_if therefore/from_there vessel in/into/on honour, mercy it_is; when/but_if in/into/on insult, just it_is, because this was from nature/element: behold justice in/into/on his who/which not/no they_have time/season operandi; from/about his however who/which they_have time/season I_submit: what when/but_if God willing, namely what respondeas to_God. Another in/into/on insult. Vas in/into/on honour, but in/into/on insult: when/but_if vile it_is; from himself clay has, not/no from figulo. What when/but_if God, etc. AUG., lib. 1, to Simplicianum, quest. 2. As_if let_him_say: Now shown it_is; that even_though God nothing good det, not/no nevertheless unjust it_is, etc., until to but abusi are this_way grace.

UGNT ἢ οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν ὁ κεραμεὺς τοῦ πηλοῦ, ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ φυράματος ποιῆσαι ὃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν σκεῦος, ὃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν?
(aʸ ouk eⱪei exousian ho kerameus tou paʸlou, ek tou autou furamatos poiaʸsai ho men eis timaʸn skeuos, ho de eis atimian?)

SBL-GNT ἢ οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν ὁ κεραμεὺς τοῦ πηλοῦ ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ φυράματος ποιῆσαι ὃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν σκεῦος ὃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν;
(aʸ ouk eⱪei exousian ho kerameus tou paʸlou ek tou autou furamatos poiaʸsai ho men eis timaʸn skeuos ho de eis atimian;)

RP-GNT Ἢ οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν ὁ κεραμεὺς τοῦ πηλοῦ, ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ φυράματος ποιῆσαι ὃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν σκεῦος, ὃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν;
(Aʸ ouk eⱪei exousian ho kerameus tou paʸlou, ek tou autou furamatos poiaʸsai ho men eis timaʸn skeuos, ho de eis atimian;)

TC-GNT Ἢ οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν ὁ κεραμεὺς τοῦ πηλοῦ, ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ φυράματος ποιῆσαι ὃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν σκεῦος, ὃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν;
(Aʸ ouk eⱪei exousian ho kerameus tou paʸlou, ek tou autou furamatos poiaʸsai ho men eis timaʸn skeuos, ho de eis atimian; )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 9:14–29: God always does what is right

In this section, Paul began by asking if God acts unjustly when he chooses some people and not others. Paul answered his own question with a strong “No!” All God’s choices depend on his mercy and not on anything about the people he chooses. God made Pharaoh the way he was when he wanted the Jews to leave Egypt.

Paul spoke to a possible complaint about no one ultimately being able to resist God’s will. He said that complaining to God about that is futile.

God shows his anger and power against people he has hardened. He does this to show how great his mercy is to other people. Both Jews and Gentiles are eligible to receive his mercy.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

God’s choices/will are/is sovereign/supreme

God chooses whom he wants for both Jews and Gentiles

9:21a–c

This verse illustrates that it is right for God to decide as he wants, even regarding people. It uses the example of someone who makes things with clay. He can choose as he wants what he will use each thing for.

Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the potter has the right to make some things for honorable use and some things for dishonorable use from the same lump of clay. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Doesn’t a potter have the right to make a fancy bowl and a plain bowl out of the same lump of clay? (CEV)
As a statement. For example:
Surely the potter has the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common/regular use.
He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay. (GW)

9:21a

Does not the potter have the right

Does not the person who makes things from clay have the authority/power over them
Surely the clay pot maker has the right to use the clay as he wants.

9:21a–b

potter…clay: The word potter refers to someone who makes things with clay. Often he made clay pots, thus the name potter. Some languages will not have a single word for this kind of person. For example:

The one who makes plates and such from clayYongkom Back Translation, unpublished manuscript, Papua New Guinea.

the person who makes cups and things from earthMengen Back Translation, unpublished manuscript, Papua New Guinea.

In some languages people are unfamiliar with clay. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain it in your translation. For example:
the person who makes hard things with sticky/pliable earth/soil and then bakes them
the person who makes things with sticky/pliable earth/soil and then bakes them to make them hard
Use major language word for clay.
the one who makes things with kleiUsing the Dutch word for clay.
Use a familiar substitute. For example:
The man that makes the basketAmanab Back Translation, unpublished manuscript, Papua New Guinea.
the woman who makes a woven-bag

right: Here this word refers to having the authority and power to do as one chooses. Here are other ways to translate this word:

power (KJV)

can do what he likes (REB)

9:21b

to make from the same lump of clay

to make from one chunk of it/clay
From one amount/piece he can make

lump of clay: Here this word refers to an amount of something solid, of one piece, and of no particular size or shape. Here are other ways to translate this word:

clumpYakan Back Translation on TW.

hunk

If you used a substitute for clay in 9:21a, you should use an appropriate word for a group of the material used. For example:

(basket)…bundle

(woven-bag)…bark

9:21c

one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

one container for deeds of honor and another one for shameful deeds?
something to use for deeds that honor someone and something else to use for disreputable/vulgar deeds.

vessel: Here this word refers to any kind of container or thing that people use to put things in or on, including plates, cups, baskets, pots, jars, and so on. Here is another English word:

container

Some languages must use a more specific word or a more general word here. For example:

jar/pot/bowl

thing

for special occasions: This clay vessel brings honor, for example, someone may give one to guests for them to use at a feast, or it might be something a priest uses at the temple to honor God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

for noble purposes (NIV)

for valuable usesKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

for common use: There are two main ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as common use:

It means dishonorable here. For example:
for an ignoble one (NABRE) (KJV, ESV, NABRE, NLT)
It means ordinary here. For example:
for menial use (RSV) (BSB, NIV, GNT, NJB, NASB, REB, NET, GW, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is the much more common meaning of the word.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν ὁ κεραμεὺς τοῦ πηλοῦ, ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ φυράματος ποιῆσαι ὃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν σκεῦος, ὃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν?

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν ὁ κεραμεύς τοῦ πηλοῦ ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ φυράματος ποιῆσαι ὅ μέν εἰς τιμήν σκεῦος ὅ δέ εἰς ἀτιμίαν)

Paul is not asking for information, but is using the question form here to emphasize the truth of what he is saying. If you would not use a rhetorical question for this purpose in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [The potter surely has authority over the clay to make from the same lump not only what is a vessel for honor, but also what is for dishonor!]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

Paul speaks about God’s authority over people by using the metaphor of a potter and his clay. Paul means that God has the right to do whatever he wants with people, because he made them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this metaphor as a simile. Alternate translation: [Or does God not have authority over us like a potter has authority over the clay to make from the same lump not only what is a vessel for honor, but also what is for dishonor?]

Note 3 topic: translate-unknown

A potter is a person who makes containers out of a type of soil called clay that becomes hard after it is heated. The potter takes a lump of clay and forms it into different kinds of containers that are used for various purposes. If your readers would not be familiar with clay containers, you could use the name of a different type of material that is used in your area to make containers, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [Or does the person who makes something not have authority over his materials to make from those materials not only what is a vessel for honor, but also what is for dishonor?]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

εἰς τιμὴν σκεῦος & εἰς ἀτιμίαν

to to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἤ οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν ὁ κεραμεύς τοῦ πηλοῦ ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ φυράματος ποιῆσαι ὅ μέν εἰς τιμήν σκεῦος ὅ δέ εἰς ἀτιμίαν)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of honor and dishonor, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [a vessel for what is honorable … for what is dishonorable]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit