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Romans 9:6-8 Commentary

Romans 9:6  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; Greek: Ouch hoion de hoti ekpeptoken (3SRPI) o logos tou theou. ou gar pantes oi ex Israel, houtoi Israel;  Amplified: However, it is not as though God's Word had failed [coming to nothing]. For it is not everybody who is a descendant of Jacob (Israel) who belongs to [the true] Israel. ESV:  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, ICB:  I do not mean that God failed to keep his promise to them. But only some of the people of Israel are truly God's people. NKJV:  But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, NIV:  It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. NLT:  Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to the Jews? No, for not everyone born into a Jewish family is truly a Jew! Philips:  Now this does not mean that God's word to Israel has failed. For you cannot count all "Israelites" as the true Israel of God (see discussion of Israel of God) Wuest: But the case is not such as this, that the word of God is fallen powerless; for not all who are out of Israel, these are Israel, Young's Literal:  And it is not possible that the word of God hath failed; for not all who are of Israel are these Israel; REFERENCES Albert Barnes Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber Wayne Barber John Calvin Alan Carr Alan Carr B H Carroll Rich Cathers Thomas Constable Bob Deffinbaugh Bob Deffinbaugh Bob Deffinbaugh Jonathan Edwards Explore the Bible Explore the Bible Tony Garland Frederic Godet Bruce Goettsche Bruce Goettsche Bruce Goettsche Scott Grant Scott Grant David Guzik Robert Haldane Richard Halverson Matthew Henry Daniel Hill Charles Hodge F B Hole Jamieson, F, B S Lewis Johnson William Kelly Keith Krell Keith Krell John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur John MacArthur Middletown Robert Morgan H C G Moule William Newell John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper John Piper Ray Pritchard Ray Pritchard A T Robertson Rob Salvato Ray Stedman Ray Stedman Marvin Vincent Drew Worthen Drew Worthen Drew Worthen Drew Worthen Precept Ministries Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-3: The Attributes of God Romans 9:1-5: Israel: A Privileged People Romans 9:6-13: Israel: A Proud People Romans 9:14-19: God is a God of Purpose Romans 9:19-24: God is God of Purpose-Pt2 Romans 9:30-10:5:Righteousness Precious Possession Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-5 Burdened For A Lost People Romans 9:6-33 Bound By The Lord's Purposes Romans: Studies (1935) Romans Sermons Romans Expository Notes Romans 9:1-13 Man Opposes; God Disposes Romans 9:14-23 Divine Election is Questioned Romans 9:24-33 Israel’s Failure Is the Scripture’s Fulfillment Romans 9:18: The Sovereignty of God in Salvation Romans 9:1-29 Need for Mercy Romans 9:30-10:21 Call to Faith Romans 9-11 What Will Happen to Israel- Recommended Romans Commentary online Romans 9:1-9 True and False Believers Romans 9:7-21 God's Choice and Salvation Romans 9:22-33 God's Patience and Mercy Romans 9:1-29 The Stage for Christ Romans 9:30-10:21 has God Proved Himself? Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9 Commentary Romans Commentary: Prologue to Prison (1954) Romans 9 Commentary Romans Notes - Verse by Verse Romans Commentary online Romans Commentary Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-5, Romans 9:6-13, Romans 9:14-33 Romans Commentary Romans 9:1-13 The Roller Coaster Ride Romans 9:14-29 The Great Brain Teaser Romans 9-11 Is God Finished With Israel, Part 1 Romans 9-11 Is God Finished With Israel, Part 2 Romans 9:1-4 The Sorrowful Unbelief of Israel, Part 1 Romans 9:4-5 The Sorrowful Unbelief of Israel, Part 2 Romans 9:6-13 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 1 Romans 9:14-18 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 2 Romans 9:19-24 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 3 Romans 9:25-33 Is Israel's Unbelief Inconsistent with God's Plan? 4 Romans 9 Romans 9, 10 & 11 What's Ahead for Israel? The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans Romans 9 Commentary Romans 9:1-5  The Absolute Sovereignty of God: What Is Romans Nine About Romans 9:1-5 My Anguish: My Kinsmen Are Accursed Romans 9:1-5 How Great Is the Honor of Israel Romans 9:6-12  God's Word Stands: Not All Israel is Israel, Part 1 Romans 9:6-12 God's Word Stands: Not All Israel Is Israel, Part 2 Romans 9:6-13 Unconditional Election and the Invincible Purpose of God Romans 9:8-17 The Hardening of Pharaoh and the Hope of the World Romans 9:14-18 The Freedom and Justice of God in Unconditional Election Romans 9:14-18 The Fame of His Name and the Freedom of Mercy Romans 9:19-23 How God Makes Known the Riches of His Glory Romans 9:17 A Passion for the Supremacy of Christ--Where He Is Not Named Romans 9:23,24 God's Ultimate Purpose: Vessels of Mercy Romans 9:24-29 The Gentiles Are Included Romans 9:30-33 The Gentiles Have Obtained Righteousness by Faith Romans 9:30-10:10 Believe in Your Heart that God Raised Jesus Romans 9:6-18 God's Freedom Romans 9:6-18 God's Word Has Not Failed Romans 9 Word Pictures in the New Testament Romans 9:1-33 Jacob I Have Loved Romans 9:1-29: Who Chose Whom? Romans 9:14-33  Let God Be God Romans 9 Greek Word Studies Romans 9:1-8 For They Are Not All Israel, Who Are Descended From Israel Romans 9:9-13 Jacob I Loved, But Esau I Hated Romans 9:14-23 What Then Shall We Say? Is God Unjust? Not At All! Romans 9:24-33 I Will Call Them My People, Who Were Not My People Romans 9-11 - Part 3 Download Lesson 1

ROMANS ROAD to RIGHTEOUSNESS Romans 1:18-3:20 Romans 3:21-5:21 Romans 6:1-8:39 Romans 9:1-11:36 Romans 12:1-16:27 SIN SALVATION SANCTIFICATION SOVEREIGNTY SERVICE NEED FOR SALVATION WAY OF SALVATION LIFE OF SALVATION SCOPE OF SALVATION WORK OF SALVATION   Summary of Romans 9-11 Romans 9 Romans 10 Romans 11 Past Election Present Rejection Future Reception God's Sovereignty Israel's Election by God Man's responsibility Israel's Rejection of God God's Ways Higher God Not Rejecting Israel Related resources... Summary on the Attributes of God Spurgeon on the Attributes of God Israel of God - Is God "Finished" with Israel in His prophetic plan? Off Site - Table Comparing/contrasting Israel & Church Off Site - Does the Church Fulfill Israel's Program? - John Walvoord The Jewish People, Jesus Christ and World History - S Lewis Johnson Are you confused about God's plan for Israel? Then I highly recommend Tony Garland's 12 Hour Course on Romans 9-11 in which he addresses in depth the question of  What Will Happen to Israel?  (click) or see the individual lectures below) Romans 9:1-5 Paul's Sorrow Concerning Israel Romans 9:6-13 Children of the Promise Romans 9:14-24 The Potter and the Clay Romans 9:25-33 A Remnant Will be Saved Romans 10:1-13 The Righteousness of God Romans 10:14-21 Has Israel Not Heard? Romans 11:1-6  God Has Not Cast Away The Jews Romans 11:7-15 Life from the Dead Romans 11:16-24 Two Olive Trees Romans 11:25-36 The Salvation of Israel Note that when you click the preceding links, each link will in turn give you several choices including an Mp3 message and brief transcript notes. The Mp3's are long (avg 70+ min) but are in depth and thoroughly Scriptural with many quotations from the Old Testament, which is often much less well understood than the NT by many in the church today. Tony Garland takes a literal approach to Scripture, and his love for the Jews and passion to see them saved comes through very clearly in these 12 hours of teaching! Take your home Bible Study group through this series if you dare! Take notes on the tapes as the transcripts are a very abbreviated version of the audio messages. This course is highly recommended for all who love Israel! I think you will agree that Tony Garland, despite coming to faith after age 30 as an engineer, clearly has been given a special anointing by God to proclaim the truth concerning Israel and God's glorious future plan for the Jews. Garland has also produced more than 20 hours of superb audio teaching in his verse by verse commentary on the Revelation (in depth transcripts also available) which will unravel (in a way you did not think was possible considering the plethora of divergent interpretations) God's final message of the triumph and return of the our Lord Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords! Maranatha! BUT IT IS NOT AS THOUGH THE WORD OF GOD HAS FAILED: Ouch hoion de hoti ekpeptoken (3SRPI) o logos tou theou: (Ro 3:3; 11:1,2; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35; John 10:35; 2Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 6:17,18) Keep in mind that by the time of this letter to the Romans, the NT church was composed predominantly of Gentile believers and that Jews had begun to reject the Gospel in large numbers. In such a setting, it might look as if God's word had failed in regard to the Jew. What was the problem? Word of God - Phrase appears 47x in 46v in NAS - 1 Sam 9:27; 2 Sam 16:23; 1 Kgs 12:22; 1 Chr 17:3; Prov 30:5; Matt 15:6; Mark 7:13; Luke 3:2; 5:1; 8:11, 21; 11:28; John 10:35; Acts 4:31; 6:2, 7; 8:14; 11:1; 13:5, 7, 46; 17:13; 18:11; Rom 9:6; 1 Cor 14:36; 2 Cor 2:17; 4:2; Eph 6:17; Phil 1:14; Col 1:25; 1 Thess 2:13; 1 Tim 4:5; 2 Tim 2:9; Titus 2:5; Heb 4:12; 6:5; 11:3; 13:7; 1 Pet 1:23; 2 Pet 3:5; 1 John 2:14; Rev 1:2, 9; 6:9; 19:13; 20:4 Word (3055) (logos [word study] from lego = to speak with words; English = logic, logical) means something said and describes a communication whereby the mind finds expression in words. Although Lógos is most often translated word which Webster defines as "something that is said, a statement, an utterance", the Greek understanding of lógos is somewhat more complex. In the Greek mind and as used by secular and philosophical Greek writers, lógos did not mean merely the name of an object but was an expression of the thought behind that object's name. Let me illustrate this somewhat subtle nuance in the meaning of lógos with an example from the Septuagint (LXX) (Greek of the Hebrew OT) in which lógos is used in the well known phrase the Ten Commandments. The Septuagint translates this phrase using the word lógos as “the ten (deka) words (logoi)” (Ex 34:28), this phrase giving us the familiar term Decalogue. Clearly each of the "Ten Commandments" is not just words but words which express a thought or concept behind those words. This then is the essence of the meaning of lógos and so it should not be surprising that depending on the context lógos is translated with words such as "saying, instruction, message, news, preaching, question, statement, teaching, etc". This understanding of lógos also helps understand John's repeated usage of this Greek word as a synonym for the second Person of the Godhead, the Lord Jesus Christ (see discussion below). Lógos then is a general term for speaking, but always used for speaking with rational content. Lógos is a word uttered by the human voice which embodies an underlying concept or idea. When one has spoken the sum total of their thoughts concerning something, they have given to their hearer a total concept of that thing. Thus the word lógos conveys the idea of “a total concept” of anything. Lógos means the word or outward form by which the inward thought is expressed and made known. It can also refer to the inward thought or reason itself. Note then that lógos does not refer merely to a part of speech but to a concept or idea. In other words, in classical Greek, lógos never meant just a word in the grammatical sense as the mere name of a thing, but rather the thing referred to, the material, not the formal part. In fact, the Greek language has 3 other words (rhema [word study] , onoma, epos) which designate a word in its grammatical sense. Lógos refers to the total expression whereas rhema (see word study) for example is used of a part of speech in a sentence. In other words rhema, emphasizes the parts rather than the whole. Failed (1601) (ekpipto from ek = from + pípto = to fall) literally means to fall from or out and figuratively (as in this verse) it means to fall away and to to fail, to be without effect or to be in vain. Ekpipto - 10x in 10v - Acts 12:7; 27:17, 26, 29, 32; Rom 9:6; Gal 5:4; Jas 1:11; 1 Pet 1:24; 2 Pet 3:17. NAS =  failed(1), fall(1), fall away(1), fallen(1), falls off(2), fell off(1), run aground(3). Near the end of his life, Joshua addressed the issue of God's Word "failing" declaring to Israel... "Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. And it shall come about that just as all the good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you." (Joshua 23:14-15) FOR THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL WHO ARE DESCENDED FROM ISRAEL: ou gar pantes oi ex Israel houtoi Israel: (Ro 2:28,29; 4:12, 13, 14, 15, 16; John 1:47; Galatians 6:16) "For it is not everybody who is a descendant of Jacob (Israel) who belongs to [the true] Israel" (Amplified) Earlier in this letter Paul explained that... he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. (Romans 2:28, 29-note) Paul explains that God's Word has not failed because not all of physical Israel (Jew by birth) are "spiritual" Israel (Jew by new birth). The natural "Israel" is the national, cultural, political Israel, all of whom were to be circumcised physically. The "supernatural" Israel is represented by a "remnant" who God in great mercy and grace preserved. The church is emphatically not the continuation of "political Israel" as is taught by a number of commentators. In fact, even scholars as highly esteemed as John Calvin arrived at this erroneous interpretation (see the Israel of God for why this is an erroneous interpretation). The point is that God is not finished with Israel or the Jew as explained later in Romans 9-11. Now, if God made promises to Israel as His chosen earthly people, how can this be compatible with Israel’s present rejection and with the Gentiles being brought into the place of blessing? Paul explains that this does not indicate any breach of promise on God’s part. He goes on to show that God has always had a sovereign election process based upon promise and not just on natural descent. Just because a person was born into the nation of Israel does not mean that they are automatically an heir to the promises of God given through Abraham to Israel. Within the nation of Israel, God has always had a genuine believing remnant who have had heart circumcision (related topic Scriptures on Circumcision) and not just external physical circumcision. So Paul will show God sovereignly chose Isaac as the child of promise and the spiritual descendent of Abraham instead of the first born Ishmael. Then God sovereignly chose the twin Jacob over the firstborn Esau even before birth, even before they did anything good or bad to emphasize that it was God's choice who would be shown mercy and compassion. Remember that God is God and we are not! Keep the following table in mind as you study Romans 9-11. Summary of Romans 9-11 Romans 9 Romans 10 Romans 11 Past Election Present Rejection Future Reception God's Sovereignty Israel's Election by God Man's responsibility Israel's Rejection of God God's Ways Higher God Not Rejecting Israel Gentiles who believe are also of Abraham's spiritual seed ("And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" Galatians 3:29) but in this passage in Romans 9, Paul is not considering the Gentiles but only the "two kinds of Israelites", the natural and the supernatural (spiritual) Jew. Paul now offers to show in defense of God’s word that the inner reality does not correspond to the outer appearance, for “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” (v6-7), but there is a true Israel, an born again Israel within physical Israel, that is comprised, not of “the children of the flesh,” but of the children of the promise. Jesus made a similar distinction when talking with the unbelieving Jews in Jn 8:33-39. They said to Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants ... ” (John 8:33). Jesus admitted this, saying, “I know you are Abraham’s descendants” (John 8:37). But when they said, “Abraham is our father” the Lord replied “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham” (John 8:39). In other words, they were physically descended from Abraham, but they didn’t have Abraham’s faith and therefore they were not his spiritual children. In fact Jesus went on to explain to the spiritually unregenerate Jews... "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. (John 8:44, read what occurred at the end of this discourse - Jn 8:57, 58, 59! Notice how John introduced this section - Jn 8:30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 - Point: There is a "belief" which does not lead to salvation. See related studies - pisteuo - word study; James 2:14-26 on saving faith - notes begin at Jas 2:14)