Romans 9:26

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.

And {G2532} it shall come to pass {G2071}, that in {G1722} the place {G5117} where {G3757}{G3739} it was said {G4483} unto them {G846}, Ye {G5210} are not {G3756} my {G3450} people {G2992}; there {G1563} shall they be called {G2564} the children {G5207} of the living {G2198} God {G2316}.

and in the very place where they were told,
‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called sons of the living God!”

and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

And it shall be, thatin the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God.

Romans 9:26 is a powerful verse from Paul's letter to the Romans, quoting the Old Testament prophet Hosea. It speaks to God's incredible plan of salvation, particularly His intention to include those who were once considered outside His covenant, bringing them into an intimate relationship with Himself.

Context

In Romans chapters 9-11, Paul grapples with the profound question of God's faithfulness to Israel and His sovereign plan for salvation, especially concerning the inclusion of Gentiles. Romans 9:26 is a direct quotation from the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:10 and Hosea 2:23). In Hosea, God declares that the unfaithful Israelites would be called "not my people" (Lo-Ammi). However, the prophecy also contained a promise of future restoration and inclusion. Paul masterfully applies this prophecy to the new reality under the new covenant, where Gentiles, who were formerly alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, are now brought near through faith in Christ.

Key Themes

  • Divine Inclusion: The most prominent theme is God's radical inclusion of those previously considered outside His covenant. This verse highlights the expansion of God's family beyond ethnic boundaries, demonstrating His universal love and plan for salvation for all who believe.
  • Reversal of Status: It powerfully illustrates a profound shift in identity. Those who were once identified as "not my people" are now elevated to the status of "the children of the living God." This transformation is a testament to God's redemptive power and mercy.
  • God's Sovereignty and Mercy: This passage underscores God's sovereign right to extend His mercy and call to whomever He chooses. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on human merit or lineage, but on God's gracious election and call, as further discussed in Romans 9:16.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the children of the living God" is significant. The term "living God" (Greek: Theos Zōn) contrasts sharply with the dead idols worshipped by many Gentiles. It emphasizes God's active, dynamic, and life-giving nature. To be called "children" (Greek: huioi) denotes not merely creation but a relationship of intimacy, adoption, and heirship. It signifies a profound change from being estranged to being part of God's family, enjoying the rights and privileges that come with being God's own, as echoed in Galatians 3:26.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Application

Romans 9:26 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the formation of the Church, where both believing Jews and Gentiles are united in Christ, forming one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14). This verse offers profound encouragement to all who feel like outsiders or "not my people" in any context. It reminds us that God's grace transcends all human barriers and distinctions.

For us today, this means that our spiritual identity is not based on our past, our ethnicity, or our social standing, but solely on God's gracious call and our faith response. We are brought into a loving relationship with the Almighty God, granted the status and inheritance of His beloved children. This truth should inspire humility, gratitude, and a desire to live in a manner worthy of our new, glorious identity in Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 1:9

    Then said [God], Call his name Loammi: for ye [are] not my people, and I will not be your [God].

  • Hosea 1:10

    Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, [Ye are] the sons of the living God.

  • 1 John 3:1

    ¶ Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

  • 1 John 3:3

    And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

  • Romans 8:16

    The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

  • Isaiah 43:6

    I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

  • Galatians 3:26

    For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

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