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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Esaias {G2268} also {G1161} crieth {G2896} concerning {G5228} Israel {G2474}, Though {G1437} the number {G706} of the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474} be {G5600} as {G5613} the sand {G285} of the sea {G2281}, a remnant {G2640} shall be saved {G4982}:

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yesha‘yahu, referring to Isra’el, cries out,

“Even if the number of people in Isra’el is as large
as the number of grains of sand by the sea,
only a remnant will be saved.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 9:27 presents a profound theological truth from the prophet Isaiah, quoted by Paul, asserting that despite the vast numerical promise made to Israel, God's salvific plan has always centered on a faithful remnant. This declaration is pivotal in Paul's argument concerning God's continuing faithfulness to His covenant people amidst their widespread rejection of Christ, demonstrating that salvation is not a matter of national or ethnic identity but of divine election and grace, fulfilled through a chosen few.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's deeply theological and often challenging discourse in [Romans chapters 9-11](/romans/9 "Romans 9-11 - God's Plan for Israel"), where he wrestles with the complex question of Israel's unbelief and God's unwavering faithfulness. Having established the universal need for salvation by faith for both Jews and Gentiles in the preceding chapters, Paul now addresses the apparent paradox of God's chosen people largely rejecting their Messiah. He begins by expressing his profound sorrow for his kinsmen ([Romans 9:1-5](/romans/9-1-5 "Paul's Anguish for Israel")), then systematically argues that God's promises are not based on physical descent but on divine election, illustrating this with examples like Jacob and Esau ([Romans 9:6-13](/romans/9-6-13 "God's Sovereign Choice of Jacob and Esau")). The quotation from Isaiah in verse 27, along with others, serves as prophetic evidence that God's intention was always to save a remnant, thereby explaining how His promises remain true despite the majority's unbelief.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. The tension between these groups, particularly concerning the place of the Law and Israel's unique status, was significant. For Jewish believers, the idea that not all Israel would be saved, or that Gentiles could be co-heirs, was revolutionary and potentially scandalous. For Gentiles, there was a risk of triumphalism, believing they had replaced Israel. Paul's argument directly confronts these issues. The concept of "Israel" here refers primarily to the ethnic descendants of Jacob, God's covenant people. The "sand of the sea" idiom was a well-understood biblical metaphor for an immense, innumerable population, frequently used in God's promises to Abraham regarding his descendants ([Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "God's Promise to Abraham of Innumerable Descendants")). Paul's reinterpretation of this promise through the lens of a "remnant" would have been a significant theological challenge to the prevailing understanding of national election.
* **Key Themes:** [Romans 9:27](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27 - The Remnant of Israel") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Romans and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's Sovereign Choice and Faithfulness**. Paul asserts that God's plan of salvation is not contingent on human numbers or national identity, but on His divine election, demonstrating that His purposes will prevail regardless of human response ([Romans 9:16](/romans/9-16 "God's Mercy and Will")). Secondly, the verse is central to the **Doctrine of the Remnant**. This concept, prevalent throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - A Small Remnant"), [Isaiah 11:11](/isaiah/11-11 "Isaiah 11:11 - The Remnant's Return")), signifies that even in times of widespread apostasy or judgment, God preserves a faithful core who remain true to Him. Paul explicitly reiterates this in [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "Romans 11:5 - The Remnant According to Grace"), emphasizing that this remnant is "according to the election of grace." Thirdly, it highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**. Paul's strategic use of Isaiah demonstrates how Old Testament prophecies are being fulfilled in the present, even those that might seem to contradict earlier promises of vast numbers. The promise to Abraham is affirmed, but with the crucial clarification that spiritual salvation is for a remnant, not merely for all biological descendants.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **crieth (Greek, _krázō_):** This word (G2896) means to "croak" or scream, to call aloud, shriek, or intreat. In this context, it emphasizes the solemnity and urgency of Isaiah's prophetic declaration. It's not a mere statement but a passionate, emphatic proclamation, underscoring the gravity of the message concerning Israel's future.
* **sand (Greek, _ámmos_):** This term (G285) refers to sand, typically as heaped on a beach. It is a common biblical idiom for an innumerable multitude, often used in God's promises of blessing and progeny, particularly to Abraham. Its inclusion here highlights the stark contrast between the vastness of God's original promise and the limited scope of actual salvation.
* **remnant (Greek, _katáleimma_):** Derived from a word meaning "to leave behind," this term (G2640) signifies a remainder or a few. It is a crucial theological concept here, denoting a small, surviving group chosen by God out of a larger population. It contrasts sharply with the "sand of the sea," emphasizing that only a select portion of Israel will experience salvation, not the entire nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Esaias also crieth concerning Israel,"**: This opening clause establishes the authoritative source of Paul's subsequent statement. "Esaias" is the Greek transliteration of the prophet Isaiah, lending prophetic weight to Paul's argument. The verb "crieth" (G2896, _krázō_) suggests a strong, emphatic declaration, indicating the urgency and importance of the message Isaiah delivered concerning God's people, Israel. Paul is not merely citing a passage but invoking a profound prophetic oracle.
* **"Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,"**: This phrase recalls God's covenant promises to Abraham, where his descendants were likened to the innumerable "sand of the sea" ([Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "God's Promise of Innumerable Descendants to Abraham")) or the "stars of the heaven" ([Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's Promise to Abraham of Innumerable Offspring")). It acknowledges the vastness of the nation of Israel, fulfilling the demographic aspect of God's promise. However, the introductory "Though" (G1437, _eán_) signals a significant qualification, preparing the reader for a contrast between this immense number and the actual scope of salvation.
* **"a remnant shall be saved:"**: This is the crucial, climactic declaration of the verse. Despite the countless numbers, only a "remnant" (G2640, _katáleimma_) will experience salvation (G4982, _sṓzō_). This concept directly challenges the notion of automatic salvation based on ethnic identity alone. It underscores that God's ultimate plan for salvation is selective, based on His sovereign choice and grace, rather than on the numerical strength or lineage of the entire nation. This "remnant" represents those within Israel who respond to God's call in faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's quotation of Isaiah in [Romans 9:27](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27 - The Remnant of Israel") employs several potent literary devices. Foremost is **Allusion**, as Paul directly alludes to and quotes from [Isaiah 10:22-23](/isaiah/10-22-23 "Isaiah 10:22-23 - A Remnant Shall Return"), grounding his New Testament theological argument in the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament. This serves to validate his claims by demonstrating their continuity with God's long-revealed purposes. The phrase "as the sand of the sea" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, a deliberate exaggeration used to emphasize the immense, countless number of Israel's descendants, a common biblical idiom for God's promises of progeny. This hyperbole then sets up a powerful **Contrast** with the subsequent declaration that "a remnant shall be saved." The vast, innumerable quantity is placed in stark opposition to the small, chosen portion, highlighting the selective nature of God's salvation and challenging the assumption that all Israel would automatically be saved. This contrast underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over human numbers or lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 9:27 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's redemptive plan, revealing that His faithfulness to His covenant promises is not negated by human unbelief, but rather reinterpreted and fulfilled through a sovereign act of preservation. The concept of the "remnant" is a recurring motif throughout biblical history, signifying that even in times of widespread apostasy or judgment, God always maintains a faithful core. This truth challenges any presumption of salvation based on ethnic identity or group affiliation, emphasizing instead God's free and electing grace. It demonstrates that God's ultimate purpose is to save a people for Himself, a purpose that transcends national boundaries and human expectations, ultimately pointing to a spiritual rather than merely physical lineage.

* [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - The Preservation of a Remnant"): "Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been made like unto Gomorrah."
* [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "Romans 11:5 - The Remnant According to Grace"): "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."
* [Zephaniah 3:12-13](/zephaniah/3-12-13 "Zephaniah 3:12-13 - The Humble Remnant"): "I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Romans 9:27 challenges us to examine the basis of our own assurance of salvation. It reminds us that belonging to a particular family, nation, or even a religious institution does not automatically guarantee a saving relationship with God. Salvation is always a work of God's sovereign grace, extended to those who respond in faith, whether Jew or Gentile. For believers, this verse offers immense comfort and encouragement, especially when we feel like a minority standing for truth in a world that increasingly rejects God. We are part of God's chosen remnant, a people preserved by His grace, and our hope is firmly rooted in His faithfulness, not in human numbers or strength. It calls us to embrace a deep humility, recognizing that our salvation is entirely His doing, and to live lives that reflect the transforming power of His electing love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "remnant" challenge my assumptions about who is "in" and who is "out" in God's plan?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rely on my background, family, or religious affiliation rather than on God's sovereign grace for my salvation?**
* **How can the truth that God always preserves a faithful remnant encourage me when I feel isolated or outnumbered in my faith?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that God has rejected the Jewish people?**

Answer: No, this verse does not mean God has rejected the Jewish people. Rather, it clarifies the nature of God's ongoing covenant with Israel. Paul addresses this very question explicitly in [Romans 11:1](/romans/11-1 "Romans 11:1 - Has God Cast Away His People?"), where he asks, "I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid." He then proceeds to explain that God's promises are being fulfilled through a "remnant" within Israel, chosen by grace ([Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "Romans 11:5 - The Remnant According to Grace")), and that ultimately, "all Israel shall be saved" ([Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "Romans 11:26 - All Israel Will Be Saved")) in a future eschatological sense. The verse in Romans 9:27 simply emphasizes that salvation is not automatic for every biological descendant of Abraham but is based on God's sovereign election and the response of faith, a truth that has always been present in God's dealings with Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 9:27, by highlighting the principle of the "remnant," finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest expression in Jesus Christ. He is the true Israelite, the faithful Son in whom God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). The concept of a remnant, a chosen few, is perfectly embodied in the formation of the church, which is comprised of both believing Jews and Gentiles united in Christ, becoming the spiritual offspring of Abraham by faith ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). Jesus Himself spoke of a narrow gate and few who find it ([Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate")), echoing the remnant principle. Through His atoning work, Christ gathers to Himself a people, not based on ethnic lineage or numerical strength, but on the sovereign call of God and the individual's faith in Him. Thus, the "remnant" of Israel, and indeed the remnant of humanity, are "saved" only through their inclusion in Christ, the one through whom God's redemptive plan for all nations is realized ([Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - One New Man in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 10:20

¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

Isaiah 10:23

For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.

Romans 11:4

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to [the image of] Baal.

Romans 11:6

And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Isaiah 1:9

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

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.

Genesis 22:17

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;