Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 9:17-19

"For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?" — Romans 9:17-19 (ASV)

Even for this same purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore he has mercy on whom he wills to have mercy, and whom he wills he hardens. You will say then to me, Why does he still find fault? For who has resisted his will?

Paul knew that the doctrine would be objected to on this ground. Evidently, he intended to assert something that was open to this objection, an objection that would naturally suggest itself to people: Why does he still find fault? For who has resisted his will?