Romans 9:24 - us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

Generated Verse: Romans 9:24

What does "Romans 9:24" mean?


Romans 9:24, "us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles," speaks to the inclusive nature of God's saving call. Let's break it down:

"Us, whom he also called...": This "us" refers to the believers in Christ, specifically those in the Roman church that Paul is writing to. The verb "called" (from the Greek kaleo) is a reference to God's effective call to salvation. It's not just a general invitation, but a divine summons that brings people into a relationship with God.

"...not from the Jews only...": This highlights that the initial promise of salvation was given to the Jewish people (as seen throughout the Old Testament). Jesus himself was Jewish, and the first disciples were Jews. However, the verse emphasizes that the call to salvation is not limited to them.

"...but also from the Gentiles?": "Gentiles" refers to non-Jewish people. This is the crucial point. The verse states unequivocally that God's saving call extends beyond the Jewish nation to all peoples of the world.

Meaning and Significance:

Inclusivity: The core message is about the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. It signifies that God's grace is offered to everyone, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. This was a groundbreaking concept at the time, challenging the prevalent Jewish understanding that salvation was primarily for their own nation.

God's Sovereignty and Purpose: This verse supports the broader theme of Romans 9, which deals with God's sovereignty in choosing whom He will save. God's election is not based on ethnicity, but on His own purpose. He chooses to show mercy to both Jews and Gentiles.

Fulfillment of Prophecy: The inclusion of the Gentiles fulfills Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the nations being blessed through Abraham's seed (Jesus).

Context within Romans: It's important to read this verse within the context of Romans 9 as a whole. Paul is grappling with the question of why some Jews rejected the gospel while Gentiles embraced it. He explains this through the lens of God's sovereign choice. It also sets the stage for later chapters that focus on the unity of Jews and Gentiles within the body of Christ.

In summary, Romans 9:24 is a powerful statement about the universal scope of God's saving grace. It proclaims that God calls both Jews and Gentiles to salvation, demonstrating the inclusivity of the gospel and the fulfillment of God's promises to bless all nations through Jesus Christ.

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