Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Summary
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Were
General references
Bible References
Were
Romans 9:25
God said this also, in Hosea [2:23], "I [i.e., God] will call those people mine who were not [previously] my people. And [I will call] her 'dearly loved' who was not [previously] loved."
Obtained
Romans 11:6
And if [they were selected] by God's unearned favor, [then] the choice is not based on the good that people may do. Otherwise, God's favor would not be [really] unearned.
1 Corinthians 7:25
Now I have no command from the Lord concerning [what you wrote about] unmarried women. [Note: The word here is "virgins" but some think it includes both males and females]. But I give my advice as someone who has received the Lord's mercy to be counted trustworthy.
1 Timothy 1:13
[even] though I had previously spoken against Christ, and persecuted [Christians] and acted outrageously. However, I obtained mercy because I acted out of ignorance, not believing [in Christ].
Hebrews 4:16
So, we should approach, with confidence, God's throne of unearned favor, so we can receive mercy and obtain that favor to help us when we need it.
General references
Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on what a person wants or does, but on God, who shows pity [i.e., to whomever He wants].