Romans 9:26

• God was free to choose some people from among the Jews to have a true spiritual relationship with him. In the same way, he was free to choose some people from among the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) to be saved. God was not limited by ethnic background.

  Paul supports this point by quoting the prophet Hosea. Hosea spoke about the ten northern tribes of Israel. These tribes had rebelled against God and were under his judgment. Even so, Hosea said that God would show them mercy again.

  Paul sees a wider principle in this prophecy. Just as God renewed his mercy to disobedient Israelites, he can also show mercy to Gentiles.

• who are not My people: See study note on 10:19.

n this section, Paul addresses a serious question. Many Jews did not believe in Jesus. If God had promised salvation to Israel, how could Jesus truly fulfill God’s plan when so few Jews believed (9:1–5)? In response, Paul uses the Old Testament to show that God always planned to save only a remnant, that is, a smaller group within Israel (9:6–29). Paul also explains that many Jews did not accept Christ because they refused to trust in him (9:30–10:21).

Paul then makes clear that God has not rejected Israel. Some Jews have already believed in Christ (11:1–10). Many more will trust in Christ in the future (11:12–26).