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Romans 9:6-13

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

6. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9. For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10. And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac; 11. (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12. It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Romans 9:6-13 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 9:6

Theological / Devotional

Not as though. Paul’s point is that his grief for his fellow countrymen must not be understood as meaning the failure of God’s promise to Israel.

Word of God. That is, God’s declared will and purpose.

Hath taken none effect. Greek ekpipto, literally, “to fall out,” hence, “to fail.”

Not all Israel. The passage reads literally, “for not all who are of Israel, these are Israel.” Paul’s meaning is that not all who are descended from Israel really belong to Israel in the full spiritual significance of that name. His purpose in making this statement is to explain how the word of God to Israel has not failed. The fulfillment of God’s promise is limited to those who meet the conditions of the covenant relation. For this faithful and obedient remnant the word of God will not fail.

Of Israel. This refers to the offspring of Israel according to the flesh, Jacob’s physical descendants. The divine promise was indeed given to Israel, but that did not include everyone who could claim descent from Jacob without any further limitation. Paul has already explained that those who have faith are the true sons of Abraham (Rom. 4; Gal. 3:7-9; cf. Rom. 2:28,29).

By SdaBc