Devine Scripture

Romans 9:28

What does Romans 9:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 9:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 9:28 means

Paul asserts, with Isaiah, that the Lord will execute His word on the earth, finishing and cutting it short. God’s judgments and saving acts are not indefinite or uncertain; they are decisive and measured. He brings matters to a swift, righteous conclusion according to His plan. This supports the remnant theme: God’s dealings with Israel and the nations are purposeful and controlled, not chaotic. The certainty of God’s action encourages faith—He will keep His promises, sift His people, and establish His righteousness, neither delaying endlessly nor acting rashly, but accomplishing exactly what He has decreed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for the Lord will execute his word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for the Lord will execute his word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the Lord will give effect to his word on the earth, putting an end to it and cutting it short.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for a matter He is finishing, and is cutting short in righteousness, because a matter cut short will the Lord do upon the land.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he shall finish his word and cut it short in justice: because a short word shall the Lord make upon the earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for [he] is bringing the matter to an end, and [cutting [it] short in righteousness; because] a cutting short of the matter will [the] Lord accomplish upon the earth.

Context

Verse 28 follows the remnant statement (v. 27) by speaking of God’s decisive execution of His word. The combination suggests that the preservation and salvation of a remnant occur through God’s purposeful intervention. Verse 29 then quotes Isaiah again to underline that, if not for God’s preserving mercy, Israel would have been utterly destroyed. These verses transition to Paul’s concluding assessment in verses 30–33 about why Gentiles have attained righteousness and Israel has stumbled.

v.27And 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:

v.28This passage

v.29And, as Isaiah hath said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 19:11

    And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

  • Isaiah 5:16

    but Jehovah of hosts is exalted in justice, and God the Holy One is sanctified in righteousness.

  • Psalms 9:8

    And he will judge the world in righteousness, He will minister judgment to the peoples in uprightness.

  • Isaiah 10:23

    For a full end, and that determined, will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, make in the midst of all the earth.

  • Psalms 65:5

    By terrible things thou wilt answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, Thou that art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of them that are afar off upon the sea:

  • Isaiah 30:12

    Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and rely thereon;

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