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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Romans 9:6 - 9:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
But it is not as though (ouch hoion de hoti). Supply estin after ouch: “But it is not such as that,” an old idiom, here alone in N.T.
Hath come to nought (ekpeptōken). Perfect active indicative of ekpiptō, old verb, to fall out.
For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel (ou gar pantes hoi ex Israēl houtoi Israēl). “For not all those out of Israel (the literal Jewish nation), these are Israel (the spiritual Israel).” This startling paradox is not a new idea with Paul. He had already shown (Gal 3:7-9) that those of faith are the true sons of Abraham. He has amplified that idea also in Romans 4. So he is not making a clever dodge here to escape a difficulty. He now shows how this was the original purpose of God to include only those who believed.
Seed of Abraham (sperma Abraam). Physical descent here, but spiritual seed by promise in Rom 9:8. He quotes Gen 21:12.