Romans 9 28

Romans 9:28 kjv

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

Romans 9:28 nkjv

For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth."

Romans 9:28 niv

For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."

Romans 9:28 esv

for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay."

Romans 9:28 nlt

For the LORD will carry out his sentence upon the earth
quickly and with finality."

Romans 9 verses

(h2) Meaning

Romans 9:28 declares that the Lord will execute His divine decree decisively and swiftly upon the earth. The "work" or "account" refers to God's purpose and judgment concerning both Israel and the nations, which He will bring to a conclusive and prompt end, driven by His inherent righteousness. It signifies a divine act of completion that is not delayed but expedited, in accordance with His just character and sovereign will. This work encompasses His judgment, but also His work of salvation through a remnant.

(h2) Cross References

(h2) Context

Romans chapter 9 delves deeply into God's sovereign choice and justice concerning both Israel and the Gentiles. Paul grapples with the seeming contradiction of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel, given their widespread rejection of Messiah. Verses 6-13 establish God's election being based on His will, not human lineage or works, using examples like Isaac over Ishmael, and Jacob over Esau. Verses 14-23 assert God's unquestionable right to show mercy or harden whom He wills, using Pharaoh as an illustration. The passage then moves to show that God's plan involves not only His "vessels of wrath" but also "vessels of mercy," calling people from both Jews and Gentiles (vv. 24).

Romans 9:28 is specifically quoted from the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) version of Isaiah 10:23, though it also echoes Isaiah 28:22. The historical and cultural context includes the Jewish belief that God's promises were unconditional to all physical descendants of Abraham, and that their election guaranteed their salvation. Paul's argument directly challenges this, demonstrating that God's purpose operates according to His sovereign choice, forming a remnant within Israel and extending salvation to Gentiles. The verse serves as a crucial point of transition, explaining why so many Jews did not believe and how God's work, including judgment, is rapid and complete, leading into the explanation of righteousness by faith in chapter 10. The polemic is against any contemporary Jewish belief that God's promises could be frustrated by their disobedience or that His justice could be delayed indefinitely.

(h2) Word analysis

(ul)

• For (γάρ - gar): A causal conjunction, indicating that this verse provides the reason or explanation for what has been stated previously, specifically, why only a remnant will be saved (v. 27). It connects God's decree with the outcome concerning Israel.
• He will finish (συντελῶν - syntelōn): A present participle from συντελέω (synteleō), meaning "to complete, bring to an end, finish." It implies a decisive and conclusive action by God. The Septuagint of Isa 10:23 uses this verb. It underscores God's commitment to fulfill His plans perfectly.
• the work (λόγον - logon): Literally "word" or "account" (from λόγος - logos). In this context, it refers to God's plan, decree, purpose, or a matter of judgment and salvation. It's not a human endeavor but a divine utterance that carries creative and executing power.
• and cut it short (καὶ συντέμνων - kai syntemnōn): A present participle from συντέμνω (syntemnō), meaning "to cut short, to shorten, abridge." It implies not incompleteness, but speed, decisiveness, and efficiency. It refers to God's action being expedited and not prolonged indefinitely. This captures the urgency and the lack of delay in God's execution of His purposes. The nuance from Isaiah 28:22 in the Septuagint adds "in shortening."
• in righteousness (ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ - en dikaiosynē): From δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē), meaning "righteousness, justice, uprightness." This indicates that God's work, whether in judgment or salvation, is fundamentally just and in accordance with His holy character. It is not arbitrary but flows from His righteous nature. This phrase asserts the moral foundation of God's actions.
• because (ὅτι - hoti): A causal conjunction, introducing the reason for the statement.
• a short work (λόγον συντετμημένον - logon syntetmêmenon): A reiteration for emphasis. "Work" (λόγον) as above, "shortened" (συντετμημένον - syntetmêmenon) perfect passive participle, indicating something already cut short or decisive. This phrasing highlights the finality and conciseness of God's action. The repetition intensifies the idea of an un-prolonged, decisive action.
• will the Lord make (ποιήσει Κύριος - poiēsei Kyrios): "Make" (ποιέω - poieō) in the future tense, "Lord" (Κύριος - Kyrios), referring to God (Yahweh in the OT context, now used for the resurrected Christ). This reinforces that God Himself is the active agent in bringing this swift, decisive work to pass.
• upon the earth (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς - epi tēs gēs): Indicating the sphere of God's action. This divine "work" or "account" will unfold and be concluded within the created world, affecting all humanity.

(ul)

• He will finish the work and cut it short: This phrase, drawn from Isaiah, powerfully communicates the nature of God's decisive action. It is a work of finality, completion, and urgency. It's not a partial effort, but a concluding one, executed with divine efficiency. The repetition emphasizes that this will not be an unending process but a sharp, defined conclusion, particularly relating to His dealing with Israel and the coming judgment.
• in righteousness: This specific detail assures the reader that even a decisive act, which includes judgment for those who do not believe, is utterly just and morally sound because it proceeds from God's righteous character. His acts are consistent with His nature, never capricious.
• a short work will the Lord make upon the earth: This echoes the previous clause, adding intensity to the idea of a swift and un-prolonged divine intervention. It highlights the divine prerogative and authority to act sovereignly and decisively on the stage of human history, bringing His long-foretold plan to fruition without delay or impediment. It contrasts human slowness and resistance with divine power and resolve.

(h2) Commentary

Romans 9:28 encapsulates the essence of God's sovereign dealings with humanity, particularly concerning Israel's rejection and the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles. By quoting and re-emphasizing Isaiah's ancient prophecy, Paul underscores that God's divine "work" or "plan" (λόγος - logos) for humanity, including His specific purposes for Israel, will be brought to a decisive and swift conclusion. This "finishing" and "cutting short" signifies not an incomplete work, but a work executed with divine precision, urgency, and efficiency. It means God will not prolong or delay His judgments or His salvific purposes indefinitely. His timing is perfect, and His actions are sharp and conclusive.

The phrase "in righteousness" is crucial. It asserts that God's definitive actions, whether of hardening or showing mercy, judgment or salvation, are entirely consistent with His holy and just character. He does not act capriciously, but righteously. For those who reject Him, the "cutting short" might imply a decisive judgment. For the chosen remnant, it implies God mercifully bringing His plan to completion for them quickly, perhaps shortening the time of tribulation as indicated in the Gospels. The passage serves as a sobering declaration to the unbelieving and disobedient that God's patience is not eternal, and a comforting assurance to the faithful that His promises of salvation will also be accomplished decisively and without delay. This swift action ultimately culminates in Christ, through whom God's righteous plan for both judgment and salvation is fully accomplished.

(h2) Bonus section

The double emphasis on "short work" (syntemnōn and syntetmêmenon) derived from the Greek Septuagint's translation of Isaiah 10:23 and 28:22 suggests a deeper theological point: God's decisive actions often manifest with unexpected rapidity. This swiftness is part of His justice; it reflects both His sovereign power to conclude matters as He wills and His righteousness in not endlessly tolerating sin or delaying His covenant promises. This understanding runs contrary to human expectations of prolonged processes or infinite patience, highlighting the imminence of divine reckoning and redemption. It serves as a reminder of the urgent call to respond to God's word, as His "work" upon the earth is already in motion and will reach its righteous, swift culmination.