Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Romans 9

Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Holy Ghost

Holy Spirit (N.T.). Rom 14:17. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

to whom pertaineth

Israel (prophecies). Rom 9:1-8; 10:1-4. (Gen 12:2, 3; Rom 11:26.)

adoption

Adoption. Gal 4:5. (Rom 8:15; Eph 1:5.)

Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

For they are not all Israel

The distinction is between Israel after the flesh, the mere natural posterity of Abraham, and Israelites who, through faith, are also Abraham's spiritual children. Gentiles who believe are also of Abraham's spiritual seed; but here the apostle is not considering them, but only the two kinds of Israelites, the natural and the spiritual Israel (Rom 4:1-3; Gal 3:6-7. Cf. Jhn 8:37-39). See Scofield Romans 11:1, note.

Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

children

Also Rom 9:8; Greek teknon, child. See Scofield Romans 8:16, note.

In Isaac shall thy seed be called

Gen 21:12.

Rom 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

Sara shall have a son

Gen 18:10.

Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

election

Election (corporate). Rom 11:5, 7, 28. (Genesis 1:1; Malachi 3:18).

Rom 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

The elder shall serve the younger

Gen 25:23.

Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Jacob have I loved

Mal 1:2-3.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy

Exo 33:19.

Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up

Exo 9:16.

Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

not of the Jews only

Rom 9:24-30; Isa 42:6-7.

of the

from among. Cf. Act 15:14.

Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

I will call them my people

Hos 2:23.

Rom 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Ye are not my people

Hos 1:10.

children

Greek huios, sons. Scofield Ephesians 1:5, note.

God

Hos 1:10.

Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

the number of the children of Israel

Rom 9:27-28; Isa 10:22-23.

saved

Scofield Romans 1:16, note.

Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

Lord

Adonai Jehovah. Isa 10:23.

Rom 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

Lord of Sabaoth

LORD of hosts. Isa 1:9.

seed

Remnant. Rom 8:25-29; Rev 6:9-11. (Isa 1:9; Rom 11:5).

Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

righteousness

Scofield Romans 10:10, note.

Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

righteousness

Scofield Romans 10:3, note.

Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

law

Law (of Moses). Rom 9:31-32; 10:4-5. (Exo 19:1; Gal 3:1-29).

stumblingstone [See also Rom 9:33.]

Christ (as Stone). Rom 9:31-32; 1Co 1:23. (Exo 17:6; 1Pe 2:8.)

Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

I lay in Sion a…rock of offence

Psa 118:22; Isa 8:14; 28:16; Mat 21:42; 1Pe 2:6.