Romans 9:25
What does Romans 9:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 9:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 9:25 means
Citing Hosea, Paul shows that God’s grace creates a people out of those who were once outsiders—“not my people” become “my people,” and the unloved become “beloved.” Originally spoken about Israel’s restoration after judgment, these words reveal God’s pattern: He turns rejection into restoration. Paul applies this pattern to the Gentiles’ inclusion, demonstrating that Scripture anticipated God’s surprising mercy. The essence is that belonging to God is an act of divine naming and love, not human ancestry or achievement. God speaks a new identity over the unworthy, and they become His covenant people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As he says in Hosea, They will be named my people who were not my people, and she will be loved who was not loved.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862as also in Hosea He saith, `I will call what <FI>is<Fi> not My people--My people; and her not beloved--Beloved,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As in Osee he saith: I will call that which was not my people, my people; and her that was not beloved, beloved; and her that had not obtained mercy; one that hath obtained mercy.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890As he says also in Hosea, I will call not-my-people My people; and the-not-beloved Beloved.
Context
Verse 25 begins the prophetic support for the inclusion of Gentiles mentioned in verse 24. By quoting Hosea, Paul shows a biblical precedent for God forming a people out of those formerly estranged. Verse 26 will reinforce the point by emphasizing their new status as “sons of the living God.” Together, these verses balance the remnant motif for Israel (vv. 27–29) with the expansive mercy that reaches those who were not previously counted as God’s people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 2:10
who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
- John 16:27
for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
- Hosea 1:1
The word of Jehovah that came unto Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
- Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them that were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
- Romans 1:7
to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Ezekiel 16:8
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord Jehovah, and thou becamest mine.
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