Ping
When the passage is taken in context, it states:
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7nor are they all children because they are Abrahams descendants, but: THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED. 8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9For this is the word of promise: AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON. (Romans 9:6-9)
It has nothing to do with Gentile believers or the Church because Gentile believers and the Church are not the "children of promise". That title belongs to the descendants of Abraham and Isaac. The true Israel is the assembly of Jewish believers.
Great post!
Sorry for the double post. You are correct, Israel is Israel and the Church is the Church. Two different ministries.