Romans 9 26

Romans 9:26 kjv

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.

Romans 9:26 nkjv

"And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God."

Romans 9:26 niv

and, "In the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'children of the living God.'?"

Romans 9:26 esv

"And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"

Romans 9:26 nlt

And, "Then, at the place where they were told,
'You are not my people,'
there they will be called
'children of the living God.'"

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 26 Meaning

Romans 9:26 profoundly declares God's redemptive power and unwavering grace, drawing from the Old Testament prophet Hosea. It reveals a dramatic reversal where those once alienated from God, specifically those referred to as "not my people" due to idolatry or rejection, will undergo a transformation through God's sovereign calling. In the very circumstances and places where they were disowned, they will be given the glorious status of "children of the living God," signifying their adoption, intimate relationship, and inheritance within God's new covenant family. This verse highlights God's plan to create a new people, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles, not based on lineage but on divine election and faith.

Romans 9 26 Context

Romans 9:26 is part of Paul's complex argument in Romans chapters 9-11 concerning God's faithfulness to Israel despite their widespread rejection of Messiah, and the concurrent inclusion of Gentiles into God's salvation plan. Chapter 9, in particular, focuses on God's sovereign election and righteous purpose. Paul quotes Old Testament passages to demonstrate that God's ways are consistent and just, and that He has always worked according to His will, not solely on human lineage or effort. This specific verse draws directly from Hosea 1:10, a prophecy originally addressing the restoration of exiled Israel. Paul applies it, as seen in the preceding verse 9:25, to include Gentiles (and spiritually reborn Jews) who were "not God's people" but are now called into His covenant. The historical context involves the tension between Jewish believers, who largely felt they had exclusive rights to God's promises, and Gentile believers, who were now sharing in the blessings of salvation. Paul reassures both groups that God's plan is unfolding, redefining who His "people" truly are through Christ.

Romans 9 26 Word analysis

• And in the place where it was said to them:
  • And: Greek kai (καί), functions as a simple conjunction, continuing the thought.
  • place: Greek topos (τόπος). Can mean a geographical location or a state/condition. Here, it signifies the very context or situation where the rejection occurred, not necessarily a specific physical spot.
  • said: Greek rhethē (ῥηθῇ), an aorist passive indicative. This emphasizes that it was God who "spoke" or "declared" the separation, underscoring divine agency.
  • to them: Refers to the "not my people" group, encompassing both unbelieving Israel (due to God's judgment as in Hosea) and by Paul's broader application, the Gentiles who were alienated from God.
• 'You are not my people,':
  • You: Greek hymeis (ὑμεῖς). Pronoun emphasizes the specific group addressed.
  • are not: Greek ou (οὐ) preceding "laos" creates a strong negation.
  • my people: Greek laos mou (λαός μου). Laos refers to God's covenant people, specially chosen and set apart. The phrase lo-ammi in Hosea 1:9 literally means "not my people" and signifies covenant rejection or dissolution due to unfaithfulness.
• there they will be called 'children of the living God.'
  • there: Greek ekei (ἐκεῖ). Directly parallels "in the place where," emphasizing that the reversal happens in the same condition or context where the rejection took place, highlighting God's power to redeem.
  • they will be called: Greek klēthēsontai (κληθήσονται), a future passive. Implies a divine calling or naming. It's not something they achieve, but something God declares and confers upon them.
  • children: Greek huioi (υἱοὶ). "Sons" or "children." Denotes a close, familial relationship, adoption, and status of heirship, contrasting sharply with being "not my people." This term implies a deep spiritual reality, not merely a title.
  • the living God: Greek Theou zōntos (Θεοῦ ζῶντος). Emphasizes God's eternal vitality, active presence, power, and distinctness from lifeless idols. It underscores that this God is capable of fulfilling such a dramatic reversal and bringing life from spiritual death. This phrase stresses God's absolute sovereignty and capacity to create new life and relationship where there was none.
• "In the place where...there": This literary structure emphasizes the remarkable turnaround – judgment and rejection become the very arena for God’s saving grace and re-adoption. It is a spatial and circumstantial reversal, showing that no one is beyond God’s redemptive reach.
• "'You are not my people'... 'children of the living God'": This stark contrast highlights the vast spiritual distance between alienation and adoption. It illustrates the complete redefinition of identity that occurs through God's calling and redemption, shifting from separation to intimacy and full belonging within His family.

Romans 9 26 Bonus section

This verse carries a profound missiological implication: God's identity as the "living God" contrasts Him sharply with all other deities, often referred to as "dead" or "lifeless" idols (Ps 115:3-7, 1 Thess 1:9). His active life implies His ability to create, sustain, intervene, and resurrect—spiritual death turning to life is His prerogative. The transition from "not my people" to "children of the living God" transcends ethnic boundaries, indicating that God's grace extends to all who are called by Him, demonstrating a unity found in Christ that overcomes the deepest societal and spiritual divides. This redefinition of "God's people" highlights the spiritual nature of the new covenant, where belonging is based on God's election and the work of the Spirit, not mere physical descent.

Romans 9 26 Commentary

Romans 9:26 presents a powerful demonstration of God's redemptive strategy, drawing an Old Testament prophecy into a new covenant fulfillment. Paul uses Hosea 1:10 to articulate God's profound capacity to transform a status of alienation ("not my people") into one of intimate relationship ("children of the living God"). This is not merely a name change but a fundamental shift in identity and belonging, driven entirely by God's sovereign initiative. The "place" signifies both the context of spiritual exile and the diverse settings where Gentiles (and redeemed Israel) receive salvation. The "living God" signifies an active, dynamic deity whose power ensures that this redemptive transformation is real and enduring, establishing His own family across all previous divisions, fulfilling His ultimate covenant purposes.