Who are the people Paul refers to in Romans 9:25?
Paul refers to Gentiles who were never reckoned in the Old Testament as having any relationship with Israel's God, but now God has called them out from among the Gentiles to Himself. They are the ones called the children of the living God, distinct from Israel, whom God will later turn back to.
Les explains that Romans 9:25 refers to Gentiles who were not reckoned in the Old Testament as having any relationship with Israel's God. Now, through salvation, they are called out from among the Gentiles and become the children of God, members of the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, joint heirs with Christ. This is a position even Israel never attained. After this calling of the Gentiles is complete, as Romans 11 shows, God will turn back to His covenant people, Israel. Verse 26 confirms they are called the children of the living God.
As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.