Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 9:28

"for the Lord will execute [his] word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short." — Romans 9:28 (ASV)

For he will finish.—Literally, according to the correct reading, For a sentence, accomplishing and abridging it, will the Lord execute upon the earth; in other words, “A short and summary sentence will the Lord execute upon the earth.”

The severity of the sentence is a proof that only a remnant can be saved from it.

St. Paul follows the LXX., with but slight deviation.

The sense of the Hebrew appears to be somewhat different: “For though your people, O Israel, were as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them shall return: a destruction is decreed overflowing with righteousness—i.e., penal justice. For destruction by a sure decree will Jehovah of Hosts perform in the midst of all the earth.” (Cheyne.)