Romans 9:27
What does Romans 9:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 9:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 9:27 means
Quoting Isaiah, Paul affirms that even if Israel’s numbers are vast like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will be saved. Quantity does not equal covenant standing. God’s saving work within Israel has always operated through a faithful remnant, preserving His promises without endorsing unbelief. This sobering truth explains Israel’s present condition without undermining God’s faithfulness. It also signals hope: there is a saved remnant, not a total casting off. Salvation remains by grace, not by national status. The remnant stands as both warning and assurance—warning against presumption, assurance that God’s word endures.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Isaiah says about Israel, Even if the number of the children of Israel is as the sand of the sea, only a small part will get salvation:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Isaiah doth cry concerning Israel, `If the number of the sons of Israel may be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Isaias cried out concerning Israel: If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Esaias cries concerning Israel, Should the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved:
Context
After showing Gentile inclusion via Hosea (vv. 25–26), Paul cites Isaiah (v. 27) to describe Israel’s reality: a remnant will be saved. Verse 28 will add that God will carry out His word decisively, and verse 29 will stress that only God’s mercy prevents Israel from becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. This section maintains the twin themes of Romans 9: God’s sovereign freedom and the integrity of His promises to Israel, now seen in a remnant.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 9:14
shall we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the peoples that do these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?
- Micah 5:3
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
- Ezekiel 6:8
Yet will I leave a remnant, in that ye shall have some that escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
- Isaiah 1:1
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
- Genesis 22:17
that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
- Isaiah 24:13
For thus shall it be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive-tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.
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