I am sure that Carlos will answer you appropriately, but until he does,<br><br>In understanding WHO Paul was referring to in Rom 9:1-3 one only needs to look to vs 6-18 for clarification. Paul was apparently afraid that his statement with respect to his sorrow and unceasing anguish might be interpreted as if he meant that God’s Word—His promise concerning Israel—had failed, or His purpose frustrated. So, Paul explains that although a marvelous promise had been made to Israel, that the promise was never meant to be realized in the entire nation, but of only true Israel—which BTW contains people (compare Rom 2:28-29). Not in ALL the descendent's of Abraham or of Israel was the covenant promise destined to be fulfilled, but only in the individual hearts and lives of those, who by God’s grace alone, would trust in Him.--read Hendriksen on Romans.<br><br>And WHERE may I ask is the HUMAN or NATIONAL merit of this PEOPLE or NATION? Was it given for HOW they behaved themselves? Well, you say no, Israel (people) sinned. Was it given because of HOW they WOULD behave in the future? Well, you say no again, for things really got bad and they were put into exile. Well what MERIT therefore earned this FAVOR of God. Well, "None," you say now, by God’s grace alone—So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy, (Rom 9:16), for God’s kingdom is “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. But, what about my Arminianism? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Reformed and Always Reforming,