What is the meaning of “It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Rom. 9:16)?

St. Jerome says, “Realize what that means: There is question not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God showing mercy. If we neither will nor run, however, God will not come to help us. It is ours to will and to run, then, He will take pity on us. While the athlete sleeps, he loses the victory.”¹⁰⁷⁹

1076 St. Augustine of Hippo, City of God 19.14 (NPNF I/2:411) . 1077 St. Augustine of Hippo, City of God 19.16 (NPNF I/2:412) .

1078 St. Augustine of Hippo, A Treatise on Man’s Perfection in Righteousness 19 (NPNF I/5:174) amended.

1079 St. Jerome, The Homilies of Saint Jerome, Volume 1 (1–59 on the Psalms) 34 (FOTC 48:252).