Romans 9:28

On Saturday Night 11/25/06, in my hearing, Camping was giving the second part of his speech on October 20, 2011 being the day of Christ’s return, with which I listened to reluctantly. Within that speech he admonished his disciples not to be intimidated by those who claim you cannot know the day nor the hour. Basically, he commanded them to be bold in their arrogance against the clear teachings of Scripture. He again attacked another verse of Scripture without any grammatical validation nor even any investigation. In fact, he stated blatantly that “the translators blew it.” Some of the KJV translators were studying Hebrew and Greek when they were children, yet Camping thinks he knows more than these men of lifelong language learning. The verse he attacked was Romans 9:28:

(Rom 9:28 KJV) For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

His main attack came against the word “work” as translated in Romans 9:28. The root word of “work” is the Greek word “logos” which is normally translated “word” in the New Testament. However, in Romans 9:28, the word is not to be translated “word.” The word “logos” in the Greek may also be translated “matter, subject, thing, speech, message, declaration, etc.” The word “logos” is interpreted according to its usage. In Romans 9:28, the word is “logon” which is translated not only “word” but “a matter” according to its usage.

(Mark 1:45 KJV) But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

What matter was the man publishing? The fact that he was healed from leprosy by the Lord Jesus Christ. “Matter” is the same word and inflection as that of Romans 9:28. He was proclaiming with words the matter.

(Mark 11:29 KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

The word “question” in Mark 11:29 is the same word found in Romans 9:28. Here it is translated “question” or can be translated “thing“ as found in Luke 20:3, (Luke 20:3 KJV) And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

(Acts 1:1 KJV) The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

The word “treatise” is referring to the “Book of Luke” and is the same word found in Romans 9:28. The book of Luke was a written treatise.

(Acts 19:38 KJV) Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

Here is another usage which translates properly the word “logon” as “matter” and not word. Here Paul was speaking of those who opposed them, having a matter, can go to law to be adjudicated.

(Rom 14:12 KJV) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Here in Romans 14:12, every unbeliever will have to give an account of their lives to God. An account is something that a person does in defense of their life. It is done in words but is not translated as word.

(Phil 4:15 KJV) Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Here the word “logon” is translated “concerning” which may also be translated “an account.” It is speaking of the support of Paul’s ministry and not a “word.”

(Heb 6:1 KJV) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Here the writer to the Hebrews translates “logon” as “doctrine.” This doctrine can either be oral or written, and it speaks of progressing in the Christian life on to more sanctified living.

(1 Pet 3:15 KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Here I 1 Peter the word “logon” is translated “reason.” We are to give a reason for the hope that is within us.

Summary
From what we have seen in the New Testament usage of the word “logon” it is defined by its context. It does not only mean “word” but as we have seen in 10 places, that “logon” is defined by its context.

Let us look at the context of Romans 9:28:

(Rom 9:26-29 KJV) And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. {27} Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: {28} For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. {29} 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.

This portion of Romans is taken from Isaiah 10.

(Isa 10:21-25 KJV) The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. {22} For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. {23} For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. {24} Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. {25} For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.

God was making a prophetic parallel that He was going to judge Judah for their sins and as a result, in verse 23 God speaks of Him making a “consumption.” The word “consumption” may also be translated “termination or end.” Let us say when you consume a Turkey sandwich, it is gone! Now to Romans 9:28

For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
 
(Isa 10:22-23 KJV) For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. {23} For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.  (Isa 37:32 KJV) For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. This verse has been a stumper but if we go back to the original language, we will see how it opens up. This verse lies in the middle of a quotation from Isaiah 10:22-23; 37:32. In Isaiah 10:22 we read that though there are many in national Israel, only a remnant of that nation will become saved. This same verse teaches there will be a destruction of national Israel. The word "consumption" in this verse means "a pining or destruction," but then God declares that out of this destruction will come righteousness. The righteousness is the gospel that will come forth from the remnant. It was out of national Israel that Christ came but only a remnant would believe on Him. The majority of national Israel disbelieved and rejected Christ, and therefore, Christ rejected the nation of Israel, and this rejection, except for a remnant, will stand until the last day.
 
In Isaiah 10:23 God declares that the destruction will be total in that national Israel will cease to exist as the nation which was entrusted to send forth the gospel. Only a remnant will be chosen out of national Israel, the nation will lose its favored status with God. In Isaiah 37:32, God again speaks of the remnant of believers which will be saved in national Israel. Now we may feel confident that the context of Romans 9:28 is dealing with the remnant of believers from Israel. Let us now approach Romans 9:28 with this thought in view.
 
The word "finish" means "to complete entirely." It is also translated "ended" in Matthew 7:28 and "fulfilled" in Mark 13:4. So this word carries the meaning of an ending. This verb is in its active voice. The phrase "cut it short" also is an active voice verb which may be translated "cutting short." It may also be translated "speedily." The words "short work" should be translated "having been cut short," which means the work of salvation will not continue on for thousands of years. God is stating the work has already been completed and it will not be drawn out. In other words, there will be no long length of time, such as a span from Noah to Moses, or from Moses to the cross, or the cross to today. God is going to completely wrap it all up on a day which He has already predetermined, as we read in Acts 17:31. When God saves the last person He intends to, that will usher in the last day, and no golden age will follow. In this verse, these phrases declare finality.

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