Keraia
Romans 9

Romans 9:6

God’s Sovereign Choice · Romans 9:6–29
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Translations

Modern
It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
Traditional
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Literal
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are of Israel, are these Israel.
Latin
Non autem quod exciderit verbum Dei. Non enim omnes qui ex Israël sunt, ii sunt Israëlitæ:

Original

Greek
English
It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

Notes

Romans 9:6

are Israel: The word Israel can have more than one meaning. It can refer to all the physical descendants of Jacob, that is, the people of Israel by birth. However, in the later part of the Old Testament and in Jewish teaching, a new idea developed. This idea is often called a “remnant,” meaning a smaller group within Israel who remain faithful to God (see Isaiah 11:10–16).

In the New Testament, Israel can sometimes have a broader meaning. On at least one occasion, it refers to all people who belong to God in a spiritual sense, including both Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 6:16).

Paul teaches that there is now an “Israel within Israel.” This means that not all who belong to Israel by birth truly belong to God’s people. God’s true people are those who believe, whether they are Jews or Gentiles (compare Romans 11:16–17; Galatians 6:16).

Romans 9:1–11:36

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).

Parallels

Genesis 25:19–28 Malachi 1:1–5

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Esther Congregation Elect, Election Land Letter to the Romans Mystery Nathanael

Topics

Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning The Jews: A Spiritual Seed of True Believers Always Among Word of God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To