This post is part 8 of 8 in our “Covenant Thieves” series—exposing how replacement theology hijacks Scripture to claim God has cast away Israel. These verses have been twisted, spiritualized, and ripped from context to turn God into a covenant-breaker. But when read in context, and applying the full counsel of God, they say no such thing. We’re restoring the context and letting Scripture speak for itself—boldly and clearly.

“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” —Romans 9:6–8

📖 Context and Setting

Romans 9–11 is Paul’s great defense of God’s faithfulness to Israel. The immediate question he answers in verse 6 is this: If Israel rejected their Messiah, has God’s Word failed? Paul’s answer is a resounding no.

These chapters were written to correct two potential errors:

1. That Israel’s unbelief means God’s promises to them are void.
2. That Gentile believers now replace Israel in those promises.

Paul addresses the issue by distinguishing between physical Israel (by birth) and true Israel (by faith) — without erasing or absorbing ethnic Israel into the Church.

🔍 Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown

“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect…”

Paul begins by defending God’s integrity. Israel’s widespread rejection of Christ did not nullify God’s covenant promises. The apparent “failure” is only temporary (Romans 11:25–29).

“For they are not all Israel who are of Israel…”

Here Paul makes an internal distinction, not a redefinition. There is national/ethnic Israel (descendants of Jacob), but within that nation, there is a believing remnant. He is not saying “Gentiles are now Israel” — he’s saying unbelieving Jews are not part of Israel’s believing remnant.

“Nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham…”

Being physically descended from Abraham does not automatically mean one inherits the spiritual blessings promised in the Abrahamic covenant. The same was true in the Old Testament — many Israelites had Abraham’s blood, but not his faith.

“But, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’”

Paul quotes Genesis 21:12 — a direct Old Testament promise. This destroys the replacement theology argument immediately because Paul is affirming a covenant God made specifically to Abraham’s physical line through Isaac — not transferring it to the Church.

“That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God…”

Ethnic descent alone is not the basis for salvation. God has always worked through faith, not just family lineage.

“…but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”

The promise here is not the land, throne, or kingdom promises to Israel as a nation — those remain intact for national Israel. The “children of the promise” are those (Jew or Gentile) who, like Abraham, believe God.

🧱 Biblical Support and Cross-References

• Genesis 21:12 – “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” God chose Isaac, not Ishmael, to carry the covenant line — proving God’s promises are fulfilled according to His plan, not human presumption.
• Romans 11:1–2 – “Has God cast away His people? Certainly not!” Paul clearly rejects the idea that God is finished with Israel.
• Jeremiah 31:35–37 – As long as the sun, moon, and stars endure, Israel will remain a nation before God.
• Romans 4:16 – Abraham is the father of all who believe — but that does not cancel the national promises to his physical descendants.

🚫 Refuting the Replacement Lie

Replacement theologians hijack this passage to say, “See? Israel isn’t really Israel anymore — the Church is Israel now.”

That interpretation falls apart for three reasons:

1. Paul is quoting an Old Testament covenant promise that has not yet been fulfilled — meaning God still intends to fulfill it exactly as spoken.
2. The distinction is within Israel, not between Israel and the Church.
3. The rest of Romans 9–11 explicitly says Israel’s calling is irrevocable (Romans 11:29) and that their national restoration will come.

This passage is not a transfer of promises — it’s a guarantee that God’s Word has not failed.

✅ In Summary

Romans 9:6–8 teaches that:

• God’s Word has not failed, and His promises to Israel stand.
• Not every ethnic Israelite is part of the believing remnant.
• Faith, not mere lineage, determines spiritual inheritance.
• National promises remain with Israel, and God will fulfill them.

⚠️ Final Word — Series Conclusion

Across this entire series, we’ve exposed how covenant thieves twist eight key passages to rob Israel of her God-given promises. Romans 9:6–8 is their final “proof text” — and it collapses under the weight of its own context.

God is not finished with Israel. He has not replaced them, forgotten them, or transferred their covenants to the Church. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is faithful — and when He speaks, He keeps His word to the letter.

“Let God be true but every man a liar.” —Romans 3:4