The Bridge Builders Forum Did Paul Redefine Israel in Romans 9?
Did Paul redefine Israel in Romans 9 or defend Israel’s covenant identity?
Romans 9:6 is one of the most debated verses in Paul’s letters. Many Christians read it as proof that “true” Israel is no longer ethnic Israel, but a spiritual category made up only of believers in Jesus. But is that what Paul meant?
In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, we dig into Romans 9:1–6 and look closely at Paul’s anguish for his people, his present-tense affirmation of Israel’s covenant privileges, and the translation challenges that have shaped common misunderstandings of verse 6. Drawing on the work of scholars like William S. Campbell and Mark Nanos, we’ll see why Paul wasn’t redefining Israel at all. Instead, he was defending her.
This episode will help you see Romans 9 in a whole new light and why this matters for Jewish-Christian relations today.
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