Romans 9:1–23 is the apostle Paul’s defense of God’s sovereign choosing of who will be saved, where works and pedigree count for nothing — only God’s gracious, sovereign choice.

Following this section, Paul moves on to explain how this reality has actually been worked out in history (Romans 9:24–10:4); and his explanation revolves around justification. The point is that God is always free in his own sovereignty: in election, God freely and decisively chooses who will be saved — works count for nothing, but only the free act of God. In justification, God saves by the free offer of Christ’s righteousness to those who believe — works count for nothing, but only the free act of God.

Look at the Book is John Piper’s latest effort to help teach people to read the Bible for themselves. It’s an ongoing series of 8–12 minute videos in which the camera is on the text, not the teacher.

As part of this initiative, Desiring God is putting on regional events focused on certain passages of Scripture. This is Part 11 in a series on Romans 9 called “The Word of God Has Not Failed.”