For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh (Exodus 9:16). Observe here the light in which the Scripture is viewed by the apostle.
Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, х eis (G1519) auto (G846) touto (G5124) exeegeira (G1825) se (G4571)] - rather, 'saith to Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up.' The apostle had shown that God claims the right to defense whom He will; here he shows by an example that God punishes whom He will. But (as Hodge says) 'God did not make Pharaoh wicked; He only forebore to make him good, by the exercise of special and altogether unmerited grace.'
That I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. It was not that Pharaoh was worse than others, that he was so dealt with, but that his character and position combined rendered him a fit subject for the display, as on a great theater, of God's righteous displeasure against the despisers of His authority, for all time.