Romans 9:29

Said before. Some take this to mean “foretold,” or “predicted” (cf. Matt. 24:25; Acts 1:16). Others understand it to mean simply “said at an earlier time” (cf. 2 Cor. 7:3; Gal. 1:9). The decision rests upon whether Isaiah’s words are to be regarded as a prediction or as a description of the state of Israel in his time. In the latter case Paul would simply be making Isaiah’s words his own and using them as a description applicable to the similar condition of Israel in his day. In either case the quotation is suitable to Paul’s argument. Still a third interpretation takes “before” to mean “in an earlier passage.” The statement referred to is from an earlier part of Isaiah’s writings (Isa. 1:9).

Except the Lord. The quotation is from Isa. 1:9.

Sabaoth. Greek Sabaoth, a transliteration of the Heb. seba’oth, “hosts,” “armies.” The KJV translates this Hebrew word in the OT as “host” but leaves seba’oth untranslated in the NT (cf. James 5:4). For the significance of the title “Lord of hosts” see on Jer. 7:3.

A seed. Or, “children,” “descendants.” These are the “remnant” of verse 27. The Hebrew of Isa. 1:9 reads “a little remnant.” The LXX, like Paul, represents these as “seed,” from which the nation shall spring up again (cf. Isa. 6:13; Hosea 2:23). The point of the quotation is that except for this remnant the rejection of Israel would be as utter and complete as was that of Sodom and Gomorrah. But throughout the centuries a little remnant had maintained its integrity. Despite the prevailing unfaithfulness and apostasy, this unbroken line of witnesses has remained true to God and to conditions of His promises to Abraham (Rom. 11:4, 5; cf. Ps. 22:30, 31; Isa. 6:12, 13).

As Sodoma. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is frequently mentioned in the OT as an example of a violent overthrow (see also Deut. 29:23; Isa. 13:19; Jer. 49:18; 50:40; Lam. 4:6; Amos 4:11; Zeph. 2:9). Jesus also refers to these cities when speaking of the divine judgment (Matt. 11:23, 24; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12).