Romans 9

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

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.

For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

(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;)

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

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.

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

What does Romans 9:7 mean?

Explanation

Romans 9:7 states, "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called." This verse underlines a core theme in the New Testament regarding the concept of spiritual as opposed to biological lineage.

The verse is emphasizing that not all physical descendants of Abraham are considered his true children in the spiritual sense that fulfills God’s promise. The "children" in this context refers to those who are heirs of God's promises to Abraham.

The phrase "In Isaac shall thy seed be called" signifies that the lineage of promise is not automatically designated to all of Abraham's descendants, but through the line of Isaac, indicating a selective or elected lineage as per God's covenant.

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Historical Context

The Apostle Paul is addressing the Romans in a context where there was a dynamic and sometimes contentious relationship between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians.

The Jews took pride in their status as the physical descendants of Abraham.

Paul, however, seeks to clarify the nature of true children of Abraham, stating that these are not based on ethnic lineage but on the promise of God which came through faith.

This had significant implications for the early church's understanding of who is part of God's covenant people.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological standpoint, interpretations of Romans 9:7 vary among denominations. Generally, this verse is seen as support for the New Testament concept that the people of God are defined by faith rather than ethnicity.

Covenant Theology: This view sees the verse as underscoring the unity of God's covenant, showing that the true heirs are those of faith, aligning with the New Testament church.
Dispensationalism: This perspective might stress the temporal distinctions and argue that while God's current method of dealing with humanity is through the church, He still has future fulfillment plans for ethnic Israel.
Reformed Theology: The Reformed viewpoint often sees this verse as reflective of the doctrine of election, indicating that God sovereignly chooses those who will be saved, just as He chose Isaac over Ishmael.

Practical Applications

Romans 9:7 challenges individuals to consider their relationship with God as not one of entitlement due to heritage, culture, or social standing but rather one that rests on faith and grace.

This has practical applications in:

Encouraging inclusivity within faith communities, not making distinctions based on lineage or background.
Reminding believers to maintain humility, recognizing that their status as God’s children is based on His promise, not their merit.

Cross-References

Galatians 3:29: "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Hebrews 11:18: "Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called."
Genesis 21:12: "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called."

Language Study

The key phrases in this verse, such as "seed" (Greek: "sperma"), reference descendance or offspring, which had a literal biological sense but was used symbolically to represent those who inherit promises.

"Called" (Greek: "kaleo") in this context is about being named or designated, signifying the divine choice in the lineage of the promise.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The importance of lineage and inheritance was common across many ancient cultures.

However, the biblical notion of God choosing a particular line through which to fulfill his promises, as seen with Isaac over Ishmael, was distinctive.

In other religions and myths, the gods often chose heroes or kings due to their virtue or heroic acts rather than as a matter of divine sovereignty.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, as it deals primarily with a theological concept of spiritual inheritance as opposed to biological descent.

However, from a genetic perspective, it highlights how religious identity and affiliation can transcend genetic lineage.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentators have elucidated Romans 9:7:

John Calvin emphasized the sovereignty of God in election, and that not all of Abraham's physical offspring are counted as the children of promise.
Matthew Henry pointed out that the privileges of the covenant God made with Abraham did not belong to his seed as of right due to natural descent.

They were to be considered children of the promise if they followed the faith of Abraham.

William Barclay suggests that Paul's point is that God's promises work out in God's own way, sometimes taking a path that is unexpected in human terms.

These commentators agree that spiritual lineage through faith takes precedence over physical lineage.

Romans 9

Romans 9

What does Romans 9:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 9:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?