New Testament
Romans 9:29
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In Romans 9:29, Paul references a statement from the prophet Isaiah to emphasize God's mercy and grace.
- Author
- Paul the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 57
- Genre
- Letter (epistle)
- Original Audience
- Christians in Rome
And as Isaiah said before, 'If the Lord of Hosts had not left us offspring, we would have become like Sodom and been made like Gomorrah.'
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.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In Romans 9:29, Paul references a statement from the prophet Isaiah to emphasize God's mercy and grace. He points out that if God had not preserved a remnant of His people, they would have faced destruction similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities known for their wickedness and subsequent judgment. This verse highlights the idea that despite widespread unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His promises and maintains a group of believers. The mention of 'offspring' or 'seed' signifies that God always has a plan to sustain His people, ensuring that His covenant continues. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of His mercy in the face of human sinfulness. It reassures believers that even in times of great moral decline, God is still at work, preserving a faithful remnant who will ultimately fulfill His purposes.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Romans 9:29 to your life
This verse encourages us to recognize God's mercy in our lives. Even when we see moral decline around us, we can trust that God is preserving a faithful community. We should strive to be part of that remnant, living out our faith and sharing God's love with others.
Curated for this public verse page. Romans Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Romans 9:29 mean?
Romans 9:29 means that if God had not preserved a remnant of His people, they would have faced destruction like Sodom and Gomorrah. It emphasizes God's mercy and faithfulness even amidst widespread unfaithfulness.
What is the significance of 'offspring' in Romans 9:29?
The term 'offspring' in Romans 9:29 signifies that God always has a plan to sustain His people. It highlights the idea that despite moral decline, God preserves a faithful remnant to fulfill His covenant.
How does Romans 9:29 relate to Sodom and Gomorrah?
Romans 9:29 relates to Sodom and Gomorrah by illustrating the consequences of wickedness. It suggests that without God's intervention, His people would face similar destruction due to their unfaithfulness.
What themes are present in Romans 9:29?
Themes in Romans 9:29 include God's mercy, the preservation of a remnant, judgment, faithfulness, covenant, sovereignty, and hope. These themes highlight God's ongoing work in maintaining a faithful community.
The Book of Romans
Romans 1: Paul's Greeting and the Wrath of God Against Ungodliness
Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and separated to preach the gospel of God. He says this gospel concerns God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. Paul explains that through Christ he receives grace and apostleship to bring about obedience of faith among all nations. He addresses the believers in Rome as those loved by God and called to be saints, and he gives thanks for their faith, which is spoken of throughout the whole world. He tells them he prays continually to visit them and longs to see them so he may share a spiritual gift and be comforted together with them by mutual faith.
Unlock the full Romans summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Romans — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 16 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Romans summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.