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
Meaning
Romans 9:26 declares a profound divine promise of transformation, primarily referencing the inclusion of Gentiles. It prophesies that in the very spiritual and relational condition where they were once estranged from God and identified as "not My people," they will remarkably be acknowledged and receive the exalted status of "sons of the living God." This demonstrates God's sovereign power to extend His saving grace beyond ethnic boundaries, incorporating those who were formerly outsiders into His intimate covenant family through faith.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hos 1:10 | "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be... In the place where it was said... 'You are not My people,' it shall be said to them, 'Children of the living God.'" | The Old Testament prophecy quoted by Paul |
| Hos 2:23 | "and I will have mercy on Lo-Ruhamah, and I will say to Lo-Ammi, 'You are My people,' and he shall say, 'You are my God.'" | Promise of future restoration of "not My people" |
| Rom 9:24 | even us whom he called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? | God's call extended to both Jews and Gentiles |
| Rom 10:12 | For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all... | Gospel for all nations, no ethnic barriers |
| Gal 3:26 | for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. | Sonship in Christ is through faith |
| Gal 4:5-7 | so that we might receive adoption as sons... you are no longer a slave but a son... | Believers receive adoption and heirship |
| Jn 1:12-13 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... | Right to become children of God through belief |
| Eph 2:11-13 | Remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh... were without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel... But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near... | Gentiles, once alienated, now brought near to God |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession... Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. | New Covenant people now include former "not a people" |
| Acts 10:45 | The believers from among the circumcised... were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. | Divine confirmation of Gentile inclusion |
| Acts 15:7-9 | God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word... having cleansed their hearts by faith. | Gentile inclusion through faith, without Mosaic Law |
| Jer 31:33 | I will be their God, and they shall be My people. | Promise of intimate covenant relationship |
| Ezek 11:19-20 | I will give them one heart... that they may be My people and I may be their God. | Covenant renewal with a transformed heart |
| Isa 49:6 | I will make you as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth. | Salvation extending to all nations |
| Isa 56:3-7 | "Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, 'The Lord will surely separate me from His people.'" | Future inclusion of foreigners/Gentiles |
| Zech 8:20-23 | many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord... "We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." | Future pilgrimage of nations to God's people |
| Jer 10:10 | But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. | Contrasting "Living God" with idols |
| Ps 42:2 | My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. | Yearning for a dynamic relationship with God |
| 1 Thess 1:9 | you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. | Conversion involves serving the "Living God" |
| Heb 3:12 | See to it... that there is not in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. | Importance of remaining faithful to the "Living God" |
| Rom 8:14-17 | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God... you received the Spirit of adoption as sons... heirs of God... | Spiritual sonship through the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Jn 3:1 | See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. | God's immense love in granting sonship |
Context
Romans 9:26 is found within Paul’s comprehensive theological argument in Romans 9-11, where he addresses the question of God's faithfulness to Israel despite their widespread rejection of Christ, and the simultaneous inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant people. In chapter 9, Paul asserts God's sovereign prerogative to elect and show mercy, independent of human works or ethnic origin. By quoting Hosea 1:10 (also implied 2:23), Paul provides scriptural support for God’s unexpected, yet foretold, plan to gather a people for Himself even from outside the traditional covenant lineage of Israel. While Hosea initially prophesied the restoration of disobedient Israel, Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, applies this principle to the Gentiles. This demonstrates that God's "people" are not defined solely by physical descent but by His divine election and grace in Christ, thus encompassing both a believing remnant of Israel and the multitudes of Gentiles who come to faith, forming one new spiritual body.
Word analysis
And in the place where it was said to them,
- And: (Gk. Kai, καὶ) A conjunction linking this statement to Paul's preceding Old Testament citations, reinforcing the scriptural basis of his argument.
- in the place: (Gk. en tō topō, ἐν τῷ τόπῳ) Not a literal geographical spot, but a metaphorical or conceptual "condition" or "circumstance." It signifies the state of spiritual estrangement and exclusion from God's covenant family.
- where it was said: (Gk. hou errethē, οὗ ἐρρέθη) Errethē is a divine passive, meaning "where God said" or "it was declared by God." This emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the prophecy in Hosea.
- to them: (Gk. autois, αὐτοῖς) In Romans 9, this refers primarily to the Gentiles who were not inherently part of Israel’s covenant. In Hosea's original context, it also referred to Israel in a state of disobedience.
‘You are not My people,’
- You are not My people: (Gk. Ou laos mou, οὐ λαός μου) A direct citation from Hosea, echoing the prophetic term "Lo-Ammi" (לֹא עַמִּי). This phrase signifies a state of disinheritance, rejection, and complete alienation from God's covenant relationship. It underlines the absence of an elect, intimate connection with God.
there they shall be called
- there: (Gk. ekei, ἐκεῖ) Emphasizes the very same condition or circumstance of former alienation is where the transformation takes place. The state of exclusion is the backdrop for the divine re-inclusion.
- they shall be called: (Gk. klēthēsontai, κληθήσονται) A future passive, implying a divine and effective "calling" or naming by God Himself. This signifies a fundamental change of status, a divinely initiated act that results in a new identity and relationship. It's more than a title; it's a conferred reality.
sons of the living God.”
- sons: (Gk. huioi, υἱοί) Not merely "children," but emphasizing a mature, legal status of sonship that implies inheritance, privilege, intimacy, and a family resemblance with the Father. This denotes spiritual adoption, a deep covenantal bond that replaces the former alienation.
- of the living God: (Gk. theou zōntos, θεοῦ ζῶντος) This critical phrase contrasts sharply with dead, inert idols (cf. Jer 10:10; Ps 115) and highlights God’s active, powerful, ever-present, and dynamic nature. Being "sons of the living God" means being in an intimate relationship with the true, life-giving, and active God of the universe.
Commentary
Romans 9:26 is a pivotal verse within Paul’s defense of God’s just and faithful character in relation to both Israel and the Gentiles. It draws from the prophecy of Hosea, applying it to explain the unexpected, yet divinely purposed, inclusion of Gentiles into God’s family. The verse profoundly highlights God's sovereign grace, asserting that His choice to establish a people for Himself is not limited by human lineage but extends to those who were once completely estranged and without hope—the "not My people." This transition from spiritual death and alienation to "sons of the living God" speaks of a radical new creation and a new covenantal identity granted by God’s powerful call. The emphasis on the "living God" distinguishes Him from any lifeless human construct, affirming His active involvement and ability to transform lives and establish a vibrant relationship with His adopted sons. This underscores the universality of the gospel and God's expansive plan of salvation in Christ, challenging any exclusivist view of His covenant people.
Bonus section
The use of Hosea 1:10 (or 2:1 in some traditions) in Romans 9:26 by Paul is a profound example of hermeneutical fulfillment, demonstrating how Old Testament prophecies find their ultimate and broader realization in the Christ event and the formation of the church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles. While Hosea originally foresaw Israel’s spiritual restoration, Paul illuminates the Spirit-led understanding that this prophecy also encompassed the inclusion of non-Israelites who believe in Jesus. This showcases God’s consistent long-term purpose across testaments to form a people who are truly His, not merely by birthright, but by spiritual rebirth and faith. The powerful antithesis – from "not My people" to "sons of the living God" – is a cornerstone of the New Testament theology of adoption and Gentile inclusion.