Romans 9:9 kjv
For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
Romans 9:9 nkjv
For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son."
Romans 9:9 niv
For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
Romans 9:9 esv
For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son."
Romans 9:9 nlt
For God had promised, "I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
Romans 9 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 9:6 | But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel | Rom 3:3; 2 Tim 2:19 |
| Romans 9:7 | nor are they all children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." | Gen 21:12; Gal 4:28 |
| Romans 11:5 | So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. | Rom 9:27; Is 10:22-23 |
| Genesis 21:12 | but God said to Abraham, "Let it not be grievous in your sight because of the boy and because of your servant. Whatever Sarah says to you, do, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named." | Rom 9:7; Gal 4:30 |
| Genesis 18:10 | He will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. | Gen 17:21; 18:14; Job 24:1 |
| Genesis 18:14 | Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." | Jer 32:17; Luke 1:37 |
| Galatians 4:28 | Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. | Rom 9:7; Gal 4:23, 29-30 |
| Isaiah 10:22 | Though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. | Rom 9:27; Rom 11:5; Is 28:22 |
| John 1:12 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God | Eph 1:5; Phil 2:15; 1 John 3:1 |
| Romans 2:28-29 | For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and in the flesh. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by letter. | Acts 16:16; Gal 5:6 |
| 1 Corinthians 10:18 | Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? | 1 Cor 11:29 |
| Deuteronomy 7:7 | The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, | Deut 9:4; Deut 10:15; Is 43:1 |
| Jeremiah 31:36 | If these ordinances depart from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the Offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever. | Jer 33:20-21; John 15:4-5 |
| Romans 9:8 | This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. | Gal 4:23; Rom 4:13 |
| Romans 9:10 | And when Rebekah had conceived twins by one man, our forefather Isaac, | Gen 25:21-22 |
| Romans 9:11 | though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call— | Rom 9:12-13; Eph 1:4; 2 Tim 1:9 |
| Romans 9:12 | she was told, "The older will serve the younger." | Gen 25:23 |
| Romans 9:13 | Just as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." | Mal 1:2-3; John 1:17 |
Romans 9 verses
Romans 9 9 Meaning
The promise of descendants through faith is reaffirmed. Despite the vast number of Israelites, only those chosen by God's sovereign grace would inherit His promises. This verse introduces the concept of a remnant, echoing Old Testament themes of God's faithfulness even when His people stray.
Romans 9 9 Context
Chapter 9 of Romans addresses the perceived problem of Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ. Paul, a Jew himself, deeply laments this. He begins by asserting God's sovereignty and faithfulness, emphasizing that not all who are physically descended from Israel are true Israel. This verse is part of Paul's explanation that God's choosing of a remnant is based on His purpose and promise, not on ethnic lineage or human merit. The focus is on Isaac as the son of promise, contrasting him with Ishmael. This foundation is crucial for understanding God's selection of Abraham's true spiritual seed.
Romans 9 9 Word Analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): A conjunction, linking this verse to the preceding one and highlighting continuity in the argument.
- as (ώς - hōs): Indicates a comparison or manner. It signifies that the statement being made is true in the same way that something else is.
- yet (μέν - men): A particle used for emphasis or to introduce a contrast, often paired with a corresponding δὲ (de) later. It signals the beginning of a specific case within a broader statement.
- Isaac (Ἰσαὰκ - Isaak): The son of Abraham and Sarah, chosen as the heir of the promise, symbolizing spiritual lineage.
- conceived (συνέλαβεν - synelaben): From συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō), meaning to take together, conceive, apprehend. It refers to the act of conception.
- twins (διδύμους - didymous): The accusative plural of δίδυμος (didymos), meaning twins.
- of (ἐκ - ek): A preposition indicating origin or source.
- one (ἑνός - henos): The genitive singular of εἷς (heis), one. Referring to one father.
- man (ἀνδρός - andros): The genitive singular of ἀνήρ (anēr), man, husband. Referring to Abraham.
- our (ἡμῶν - hēmōn): Possessive pronoun, indicating relationship to Paul and his audience.
- forefather (πατρός - patros): The genitive singular of πατήρ (patēr), father. Emphasizing Abraham's role as patriarch.
- Isaac (Ἰσαὰκ - Isaak): Reiteration, reinforcing the focus on this specific son of the promise.
Words-group Analysis:
- "and as Isaac had twins by one man, our forefather": This phrase sets up the next point of comparison: Rebekah's conception of twins from Isaac. It anchors this event to the foundational patriarch, Abraham, underscoring the importance of the lineage through which the promise would continue. The focus is not just on the individuals but on their place in God's redemptive history.
Romans 9 9 Bonus Section
The choice between Jacob and Esau, even before birth, served as a clear illustration of God's unconditional election. This concept was a stumbling block for many Jews who equated national Israel with God's chosen people, regardless of individual faith. Paul uses this pre-birth differentiation to underscore that God's selection of a people for Himself is not based on physical descent alone but on His sovereign, gracious purpose. This resonates with God's establishment of His covenant promises through Isaac rather than Ishmael, even though Ishmael was Abraham's firstborn. The selection process always points to God's preordained plan.
Romans 9 9 Commentary
This verse pivots the argument to a new case study, the story of Isaac and Rebekah's twin sons, Jacob and Esau. By mentioning "our forefather Isaac," Paul connects the Old Testament narrative directly to the identity of Jewish believers, reminding them of their shared heritage. The upcoming discussion about Jacob and Esau's pre-birth selection by God will highlight that God's choice operates according to His sovereign will, independent of human merit or works, a principle that applies to the spiritual descendants of Abraham today.