Romans 9:21 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Hath not the potter power, &c.— See Jeremiah 18. It is observable, that Plutarch uses the very same similitude with this before us; and Aristophanes, among other contemptuous expressions, by which he describes the frailty of human creatures, calls them πλασματα πηλου, vessels of clay. A vessel unto honour, or to dishonour, signifies a thing designed by the maker to an honourable or dishonourable use: nor can any reason be given why it may not design nations, as well as persons; and honour and prosperity in this world, as well as eternal happiness and glory, or misery and punishment, in the world to come. In common reason this figurative expression ought to follow the sense of the context. But Jeremiah 18:6-7 whence this instance of a potter is taken, shews the word vessel to have a temporal sense, and to relate to the nation of the Jews. See the preceding note, Locke, and Bos.