Romans 9:6

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

οὐ Not G3756
οὐ Not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 1 of 17
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
οἷον as G3634
οἷον as
Strong's: G3634
Word #: 2 of 17
such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so
δὲ though G1161
δὲ though
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 3 of 17
but, and, etc
ὅτι G3754
ὅτι
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 4 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκπέπτωκεν hath taken none effect G1601
ἐκπέπτωκεν hath taken none effect
Strong's: G1601
Word #: 5 of 17
to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient
οἱ which G3588
οἱ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγος the word G3056
λόγος the word
Strong's: G3056
Word #: 7 of 17
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
οἱ which G3588
οἱ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 9 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
οὐ Not G3756
οὐ Not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 10 of 17
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 11 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πάντες all G3956
πάντες all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 12 of 17
all, any, every, the whole
οἱ which G3588
οἱ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξ G1537
ἐξ
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 14 of 17
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Ἰσραήλ· Israel G2474
Ἰσραήλ· Israel
Strong's: G2474
Word #: 15 of 17
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
οὗτοι G3778
οὗτοι
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 16 of 17
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Ἰσραήλ· Israel G2474
Ἰσραήλ· Israel
Strong's: G2474
Word #: 17 of 17
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect—Paul anticipates the objection: if Israel rejected Messiah, didn't God's promises fail? His answer: ou...ekpeptōken (οὐ...ἐκπέπτωκεν), 'has not fallen away/failed.' God's word stands despite appearances. The crisis isn't God's faithfulness but Israel's identity.

For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel—the pivotal distinction. The first 'Israel' is spiritual (the elect remnant), the second ethnic (physical descendants). Paul uses ex Israēl (ἐξ Ἰσραήλ) for ethnic origin vs. Israēl for true covenant membership. Physical descent never guaranteed salvation—election operated within ethnic Israel all along. Abraham had Ishmael; Isaac had Esau; the principle of divine choice precedes the crisis of unbelief.

Historical Context

Jesus taught this: 'not everyone who says Lord, Lord' enters the kingdom (Matthew 7:21). John the Baptist warned against trusting Abrahamic descent (Matthew 3:9). The prophets spoke of a remnant (Isaiah 10:22). Paul's argument stands on established scriptural principle.

Questions for Reflection