John Calvin Commentary Romans 9:19

"Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?" — Romans 9:19 (ASV)

You will then say, etc. Here indeed the flesh especially storms, that is, when it hears that those who perish have been destined by the will of God to destruction. Therefore, the Apostle again adopts the words of an opponent, for he saw that the mouths of the ungodly could not be restrained from boldly clamoring against the righteousness of God; and he very aptly expresses their mind, for not being content with defending themselves, they make God guilty instead of themselves. Then, after having shifted to him the blame for their own condemnation, they become indignant against his great power.

They are indeed constrained to yield, but they storm because they cannot resist. Ascribing dominion to him, they, in a way, charge him with tyranny. In the same manner, the Sophists in their schools foolishly dispute about what they call his absolute justice, as though, forgetting his own righteousness, he would test the power of his authority by throwing all things into confusion.

Thus speak the ungodly in this passage: "What cause has he to be angry with us? Since he has formed us such as we are, and since he leads us at his will wherever he pleases, what else does he do in destroying us but punish his own work in us?

For it is not in our power to contend with him; however much we may resist, he will still have the upper hand. Then his judgment will be unjust if he condemns us; and irresistible is the power which he now uses against us." What does Paul say to these things?