Romans 9 27

Romans 9:27 kjv

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:

Romans 9:27 nkjv

Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved.

Romans 9:27 niv

Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.

Romans 9:27 esv

And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,

Romans 9:27 nlt

And concerning Israel, Isaiah the prophet cried out, "Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore,
only a remnant will be saved.

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 27 Meaning

Romans 9:27 declares that despite the immense number of the children of Israel, likened to the sand of the sea, only a select "remnant" will achieve salvation. This verse, a direct quotation from Isaiah, emphasizes God's sovereign choice and highlights a continuity in His divine plan: not all physical descendants of Abraham are heirs to the covenant promises in the same way, but salvation is granted by grace to a chosen few, underscoring that God's promises remain true even if a large portion of Israel does not embrace salvation.

Romans 9 27 Context

Romans Chapter 9 is a pivotal section within Paul's letter, addressing the perplexing question of why the majority of ethnic Israel did not accept Jesus as their Messiah, especially in light of God's covenant promises to them. Paul begins by expressing his deep sorrow for his people (Rom 9:1-5), then delves into God's sovereignty and election, asserting that "not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel" (Rom 9:6). He demonstrates this through examples from Israel's history (e.g., Isaac vs. Ishmael, Jacob vs. Esau), emphasizing God's free choice based on His purpose, not human merit. Verses 27-29 specifically serve as prophetic confirmation for Paul's argument: though God promised an innumerable offspring to Abraham, the prophetic writings of Isaiah had already foretold that only a remnant of this vast nation would truly experience salvation. This prophetic insight clarifies that God's ultimate plan of salvation was never indiscriminately for all ethnic Israelites, but for those whom He, in His sovereign grace, would preserve as His true people.

Romans 9 27 Word analysis

• Isaiah (Ἡσαϊας - Hēsaias): Refers to the prophet Isaiah, whose writings carry divine authority and provide crucial insight into God's dealings with Israel. His prophecies validate Paul's argument that Israel's rejection of Christ does not negate God's faithfulness or promises.

• also cries out (καὶ κράζει - kai krazei): "Cries out" (κράζει - krazei) is a strong verb, often used for a public, earnest, and loud declaration. It implies the authoritative, urgent, and undeniable nature of the prophetic word. Paul is emphasizing that this is not a hidden or new teaching, but a truth loudly proclaimed centuries prior.

• concerning Israel (ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ - hyper tou Israēl): Directly states the subject of the prophecy: the nation of Israel. This leaves no ambiguity about whom the words pertain.

• Though the number of the children of Israel (Ἐὰν ᾐ ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν ὑἱῶν Ἰσραήλ - Ean ē ho arithmos tōn huiōn Israēl): Acknowledges the immense population and historical growth of Israel. "Children of Israel" signifies their direct descent and identity as God's chosen nation.

• be as the sand of the sea (ὡς ἡ ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης - hōs hē ammos tēs thalassēs): This phrase is a direct echo of God's promises to Abraham regarding his innumerable descendants (Gen 22:17; 32:12). Its inclusion highlights the profound paradox: despite God's promise of an countless lineage, salvation will not extend to all of them. It sets up the stark contrast that follows.

• Only the remnant (τὸ ὑπόλειμμα - to hypoleimma): "Remnant" is a key theological concept. The Greek word hypoleimma (also kataleimma in other contexts of the Isaiah quote, Rom 9:29) means "what is left over," "a remainder," or "a small portion." This term is pivotal, signifying God's sovereign preservation of a faithful, elect minority out of the larger group, not based on their merit but on His gracious choice.

• will be saved (σωθήσεται - sōthēsetai): This is a future passive indicative, signifying divine action and ultimate deliverance. It implies salvation in its full, eternal sense. The passive voice emphasizes that salvation is not something achieved by human effort but is a divine act bestowed upon the remnant.

• Word-groups Analysis:

  • "Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel": Establishes the divine origin and prophetic authority for the truth about Israel's salvation. It grounds Paul's argument not in his own opinion but in long-established prophetic scripture.
  • "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, Only the remnant will be saved": This phrase masterfully creates a stark juxtaposition between the promise of innumerable descendants and the reality of a limited, chosen salvation. It sets up a tension that underscores God's selective nature in dispensing His redemptive plan, challenging any assumption that physical lineage alone guarantees salvation. It moves from quantitative abundance to qualitative election.

Romans 9 27 Bonus section

This verse contains a subtle yet powerful polemic against the prevailing Jewish thought that being a physical descendant of Abraham guaranteed one's place in the messianic kingdom or assurance of salvation. By highlighting Isaiah's prophecy, Paul directly challenges this presumption, stating clearly that not all Israel is "Israel" in the truest spiritual sense, and that God's ultimate plan for salvation operates on the principle of sovereign choice and election, not simply birthright. The "remnant" concept has been consistently present in the Bible, appearing in stories of Noah (Gen 7:23), Lot (Gen 19:29), and Elijah (1 Kings 19:18), illustrating that even in times of widespread unfaithfulness or judgment, God preserves a righteous or chosen minority.

Romans 9 27 Commentary

Romans 9:27, quoting Isaiah 10:22-23, serves as a crucial theological anchor in Paul's defense of God's faithfulness and justice. It refutes the notion that God's word has failed because most Israelites rejected Christ. Instead, Paul demonstrates that the divine plan has always included a principle of selectivity. The "sand of the sea" promise signifies God's intention to create a vast people through Abraham, but this verse clarifies that the saving promises were always intended for a "remnant" – a faithful minority preserved by God's grace, not by their ethnic identity or works of law. This concept highlights God's sovereignty in election, ensuring that salvation is fundamentally a gift based on His choice, not a human achievement. It prepares the reader for the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles, explaining that Israel's stumble allows for this expansion of God's saving grace.