Devine Scripture

Romans 9:6

What does Romans 9:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 9:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 9:6 means

Paul denies that God’s word has failed, even though many Israelites do not believe. He explains that there is a distinction within Israel: not all who are descended from Israel belong to the true Israel. The covenant promise always had a narrower, spiritual scope than mere physical lineage. This prepares the reader to see that God’s saving purpose operates within Israel through election and promise, not through ethnicity alone. The statement reframes the problem: Israel’s unbelief does not discredit God; rather, it reveals how His word truly operates—creating a people defined by promise and faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Butit isnot as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Butit isnot as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But it is not as if the word of God was without effect. For they are not all Israel, who are of Israel:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it is not possible that the word of God hath failed; for not all who <FI>are<Fi> of Israel are these Israel;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Not as though the word of God hath miscarried. For all are not Israelites that are of Israel.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Not however as though the word ofGod had failed; for not all [are] Israel which [are] of Israel;

Context

After listing Israel’s privileges and highlighting Christ (vv. 4–5), Paul confronts the apparent failure of God’s promise (v. 6). He introduces the key principle: true Israel is the people of promise within the nation. Verses 7–13 will support this with examples from Abraham’s family—Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau—showing God’s electing purpose. The argument transitions from the emotional concern (vv. 1–5) to theological explanation (vv. 6–13), anchoring God’s faithfulness in His sovereign, discriminating grace.

v.5whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

v.6This passage

v.7neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Cross references

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

  • Numbers 23:19

    God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?

  • Galatians 6:16

    And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • 2 Timothy 2:13

    if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

  • Isaiah 55:11

    so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

  • John 10:35

    If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),

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