So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.
All Commentaries on Romans 9:16 Go To Romans 9
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
Paul does not take away the freedom of the will but says that our will is not sufficient unless God helps us, making us compassionate so that we might do good works by the gift of the Holy Spirit…. We cannot will unless we are called, and when we will after our calling neither our will nor our striving is enough unless God gives strength to our striving and leads us where he calls. It is therefore clear that it is not by willing nor by striving but by the mercy of God that we do good works, even though our will (which by itself can do nothing) is also present.
