THE FATE OF ISRAEL - ROMANS 11

A Remnant Saved

11:1-10

Having established that Israel rejected Jesus, Paul now asks if God rejected his people Israel. By this, he means has God come to a final and absolute rejection of Israel. His answer is no and he sets out to prove it in this chapter.

The first proof is that Paul himself is an Israelite. He is a descendant of Abraham and from the line of Benjamin. And Paul had been both saved and set apart to be an apostle. He was foreknown (set apart before he was born) and called according to God’s purpose. (Galatians 1:15) Therefore, one could not say that God had fully rejected Israel.

In addition, Paul showed how God, in the past, had always saved a remnant. He referred to the story of Elijah. Israel was apostate, worshipping Baal, led by King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, a priestess of Baal from Tyre. She even had prophets of God murdered. 

But, when Elijah said he was the only believer left in Israel, God told him he kept a remnant of 7,000 for himself. (4) You can read this story in1 Kings 19. 

Likewise,God had saved a remnant during Paul’s time, chosen and saved by grace. (5) And since it was by grace, it was not by works. We see some of these in the gospels. Certainly, the Twelve, minus Judas were Israelites who were saved. Those disciples gathered in the upper room after the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, John Mark and his mother, Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother and brothers, and others were Israelites and were saved. 

So, there were two groups of Israelites. The elect Jews were saved. The others were hardened. (7)

Paul returned again to the Old Testament to show this was God’s intention. First, he cited Isaiah 29:10 that God kept them from seeing and hearing. (8) Second, he cited Psalms 69:22, applying it to Jesus again as the stumbling block. (9-10)

Gentiles Brought Into God’s Family

11:11-15

So, God’s purpose was not the full and final rejection of Israel, but a temporary one. The purpose was to bring in the Gentiles. By bringing them into God’s family, Israel might become jealous and turn to Christ. Their rejection of Christ (their trespass) resulted in a blessing to the Gentiles. 

Paul himself started his ministry going first to the Jews, then the Gentiles (non-Jews). He preached in the Jewish synagogues. But, he eventually turned to the Gentiles because of the unbelief of the Jews. When he was opposed by Jews in Pisidian Antioch, Paul said:

“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.” (Acts 13:46-47)

Paul even pointed out that this was God’s plan and command, citing Isaiah 49:10: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” 

So, the trespass of the Jews created a blessing for the Gentiles and their full inclusion in the kingdom would mean an even greater blessing. (15) 

The Metaphor of the Tree

11:16-24

Paul used a brief metaphor to say that if the dough was holy, the whole lump (ESV, NASB), or batch (NIV) is holy (set apart or sacred) (16). This is a reference to a passage in Numbers where the Lord says that when they eat bread from the crops grown in the land, they are to make a contribution to the Lord in the form of some of the dough. (Numbers 15:17-21)

After that brief thought, Paul switched to the metaphor of a tree and spends quite a bit of time on it. He first said, if the root is holy, so are the branches. (16) The tree represents the whole people of God. There is only one tree, one people. The root is Abraham, the father of all who believe, Jew and Gentile.  

Remember Romans 4:11: “The purpose was to make him (Abraham) the father of all who believe…” It is those of faith who are sons of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7) 

The branches are the individual people in Israel, the people of God. Some branches of the tree are broken off of the tree. (17) These are unbelieving, works oriented Israelites. 

The Gentile believers are wild shoots who are grafted in to the tree of God’s people. They are inserted into the purpose of God’s redeeming grace. They feed on the nourishment of the root. This is the New Covenant. It is the New Covenant fulfilling the Covenant with Abraham, that his seed would be a blessing for peoples\nations.

Apparently, some Gentile believers were arrogant toward the Jews, bragging that unbelieving Jews were broken off from the tree so the Gentile believers could be grafted in. (18) But, that is the wrong attitude. Instead this should magnify the fear of God in them, knowing they would be cut off also if they do not continue in the faith. (21-22) Plus, they should also know that the unbelieving Israelites will be grafted back in if they come to faith in Christ. (23)

Will Israel Be Saved?

11:25-32

Paul now reveals a mystery. In scripture, mystery means a truth that has been hidden in the past but is now revealed.

This mystery is that the hardening of Israel is temporary (partial), lasting until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. At that point, all Israel will be saved. (25) Paul cites an Old Testament scripture for proof. (26-27) He takes from Isaiah 59:20 and 27:9 and applies it to Christ. 

There is a lot of debate and disagreement as to what the statement “all Israel will be saved” means. There are three main theories. 

First, some think it means the remnant that is saved during the time between Jesus’ first and second advents (comings). That, however, requires one to believe all and less than all (remnant) are the same. It also does not account for the fact that the Jews turning to Christ only occurs after the number of saved Gentiles becomes “full”. 

Second is the idea that Israel here means all believers, Jew (Israelite) and Gentile, throughout history. This requires us to ignore the distinction between Israelites and Gentiles is not being discussed by Paul in the passage, which it clearly is.

Third is the idea that there will be a great turning of Jewish people to Christ toward the end of this age.  Reference is made to Revelation 7, where 144,000 from the tribes of Israel are sealed. 

While I do not think Revelation 7 is relevant to this issue, I do hold to the third option. I do not believe that every Jewish person, or every person in geographical Israel will be saved, but there will be a great turning to Christ at the end of the age. 

Irrevocable Gifts\Unchanging God

11:28-32

Paul acknowledges that the Jews are enemies of God because they have rejected his Son. (28) But, in another sense, they are loved by God for the sake of their forefathers, the patriarchs with whom God made a covenant.

God does not change. So, Paul reasons that his favor (gifts) on Israel and his calling or election of them are irrevocable. All men and women at one time were disobedient to God. God gave mercy to the Gentiles and he will at some point show mercy to the Jews. (32)

Doxology

11:33-36

This truth revealed by Paul leads him to praise. He exalts God for the depth of the riches and the wisdom and knowledge he has. They are so great, we cannot discern them all. 

Paul quoted an Old Testament passage extolling the greatness of God to show that men and women cannot know or comprehend the mind of God. (Isaiah 40:13) We must always remember that God is not a better version of ourselves. He is much greater.  All things exist from and through him and are for him.

Because he is greater, we must give him glory, as Paul does. (39) 

 "When Christ intercedes for all the elect, He prays for the the same as he did for Peter, that their faith may never fail." 

John Calvin

 Knowing God involves, first, listening to God’s Word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it, in application to oneself; second, noting God’s nature and character, as his Word and works reveal it; third, accepting his invitations and doing what he commands; fourth, recognizing and rejoicing in the love that he has shown in thus approaching you and drawing you into this divine fellowship. 

J. I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 37

THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION - ROMANS 10

 

Misplaced Zeal

10:1-4

Having established that Israel rejected Christ and stumbled over his claims because they did not pursue salvation by faith, Paul expressed his desire for the Jews to be saved. He prayed for that to happen.  (1) It is quite remarkable when you think of all of the trouble they had given him. 

Paul knew that the Jews had a zeal for God. He knew this because he had been one of them. They tried to keep the law, they sacrificed where required, and they learned the Old Testament scriptures. But, they were ignorant in their zeal. (2-3) The Greek word translated “ignorant” (In the English Standard Version) means a lack of knowledge due to rejecting or ignoring the information. 

Paul’s short autobiography in Galatians 1 shows us this zealousness. He advanced in Judaism beyond those his age, he was zealous for the Jewish traditions. He persecuted the church, believing that Jews who followed Christ were guilty of heresy and failure to obey the law. According to Acts 7, he was present at the stoning of Stephen and approved it. He was unbelieving and ignorant. 

But, then, Jesus revealed himself to Paul on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:1-19)

Likewise, his fellow Jews had zeal but without knowledge of the righteousness of God. (3) We see this in many of Jesus’ encounters with the scribes and Pharisees. They complained that he violated the Sabbath. He spoke to them about the purpose of the Sabbath and his being the lord of the Sabbath. They complained that he ate with sinners. He said his purpose was to save sinners.

The Pharisees were concerned about rules and works. Jesus was concerned about people and salvation. 

God declares us righteous when we believe in Jesus. This is the righteousness of, or from, God. (3) It is a righteousness manifested apart from the law, as he said in 3:21. 

Instead, theJews sought to obtain righteousness on their own through their works. (3) They did not submit to God’s righteousness. They wanted to be considered righteous because of their own works. 

People do that today. They want to be saved because of the good things they have supposedly done. They do not want to submit to God and find salvation through his Son. 

But, the law will not save us or them. Christ is the end of the law. (4) By “the end”, Paul means the completion of its purpose. Jesus, through his perfect life and sacrificial death, fulfilled the purpose of the law, making it unnecessary. Indeed, Jesus said “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”. (Matthew 5:17) 

By fulfilling the law, Christ was able to provide righteousness for those who believe in him. The law cannot do that.

The Message of Salvation

10:5-13

Mose wrote about righteousness based on the law, saying the person who keeps the commandments shall live, citing Leviticus 18:5. Moses may have been referring to the covenant blessings and curses found in Leviticus 26. 

But we know that no one does that perfectly. Paul has already written that no one is righteous. (Romans 3:10)

Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 30:11-14 saying no one needs to get into heaven to bring Christ down to us or go to the abyss to bring him up because we already have his word. (6)This is the word about salvation through faith. Jesus taught it. His disciples taught it. And now Paul teaches it. 

That word is this: if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (9) This verse is used in many gospel presentations. God justifies us, saves us, when we believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and is raised from the dead. (10) Again Paul cited Isaiah 28:16 for proof. 

This applies to everyone, both Jew and Gentile. Everyone who comes to faith in Jesus will be saved. (13) Paul uses the word “call”. This is a quote of Joel 3:32.

Jesus said: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)  The New Living Translation puts it this way: “those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.”

Someone Must Tell Them

10:14-15

Paul sets out a chain of events that leads to salvation. People will not call on Jesus unless they have believed he can save them. (14) They cannot believe in him unless they have heard the message. They cannot hear the message unless someone preaches it. 

The preacher, or missionary, cannot preach unless he or she is sent. (15) Paul himself was sent by the church in Antioch. (Acts 13:1-3) It is the foundation of the missionary movement. We send, they preach.    

Those who go and preach are beautiful in the sight of the Lord.

Israel Heard 

10:16-21

Israel’s problem was not that they did not hear the gospel. They had the Old Testament that pointed to Christ. They rejected Isaiah, for example. (16)  That was even part of his calling to be a prophet. (Isaiah 6) 

They had Jesus himself preaching to them as well as the disciples. They heard the gospel, but they rejected it. It was not for lack of understanding, but hardness of heart. 

So, God sent the gospel to the Gentiles. Part of the reason for this was to arouse the Jews’ jealousy that Gentiles had become part of God’s people rather than the majority of the Jews. Paul showed that Moses predicted it and Isaiah preached about it. (19-20)

But the Jews rejected the gospel because they were disobedient and contrary. (21) This is a quote from Isaiah 65:2. The Gentiles coming to Christ fulfilled Isaiah 65:1. The rejection of the Jews fulfilled Isaiah 65:2. 

This sets the stage for chapter 10, where Paul discusses the fate of Israel. 

Rejoice this week that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works that we would never accomplish. 

 

 Let us immerse ourselves constantly in the sacred Scriptures, let us work at reading them, and by the gift of Christ’s Spirit the things that are necessary for salvation will be for us clear, direct, and completely open” 

Life, Letters, and Sermons, 281 Peter Martyr Virmigli)

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY IN SALVATION - ROMANS 9:19-33

God’s Rights Over His Creation

9:19-26

Having established God’s sovereignty over salvation, Paul anticipated the next question: why does he still find fault, for who can resist his will? (19) In other words, if God shows mercy to whom he wills, and hardens whom he will, how can he hold people accountable for their unbelief?

There is a fallacy in this claim, as everyone who rejects the gospel resists God’s will. Everyone who sins resists God’s will, refusing to do what God says to do. 

Paul does not explain that conundrum, however. Instead, he said who are you to talk back to God? Human nature, especially our rebelliousness against God, causes us to question his actions and his nature. 

An example of this occurs when a mother tells a child to do something and the child demands to know why. It is not that the child knows he or she is ignorant and seeks enlightenment from the mother. Rather, it is the child questioning the mother’s authority to command the child and the reasonableness of the command. If you have ever read the comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes”, you have seen some examples of this.

The most common response of mothers to this question is “because I said so”. By that the mother means I have the authority to command you and you do not have the right to challenge me.

Paul does that very thing here. He gives two examples. First, the object molded does not question its molder why he made them like this. This is an argument “ad absurdum” or reductio ad absurdum - showing that the opposing argument results in absurdity. 

Did you ever make a candle as a craft when you were a child. One way is to cut down a milk carton, pour in paraffin, and insert a wick. You get a square candle out of it. The candle does not puff up and demand that you explain why you did not make it round instead. 

Second, a potter has a right to make whatever kind of object he wants of his clay. If he wants to make a vessel for honorable use, he can. If he wants one for dishonorable use, he can do so. In this metaphor, the honorable stands for the saved and dishonorable for the unsaved, unbelieving. God has the right to choose which sinner he will save. 

You might remember that Job questioned God, saying if he had sinned, he would understand his suffering, but, since he had not sinned, he wanted God to explain himself (“let the Almighty answer me”). (Job 31)

Instead of explaining himself, God stated, with multiple examples, why Job had no right to question him. (Job 38-41) God summarized his statements  with the rhetorical question: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?”. (Job 40:2). Job got it. He repented in dust and ashes. (Job 42:6)  

Third, God had the right as God to show his wrath and power. He exercised much patience toward those who do not believe. He called them “vessels of wrath prepared for destruction”. (22) He did this to make known the riches of his glory for undeserving vessels of mercy (those he saved.) (23) (Ephesians 1:6) 

Paul again spoke of predestination, saying he prepared the vessels of mercy, those whom he saved (prepared for glory), “beforehand”. We are reminded of Ephesians 1, which says God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world and that he predestined us for adoption as his sons, all according to the purpose of his will. ( Ephesians 1:4-5) 

Paul also referred to believers as those he called. (24) This refers us back to 8:30, where he said that those God predestined he also called. 

Those he called, believers, are not just from the Jews but also from the Gentiles. (24) In support of this idea, Paul cited the Old Testament book of Hosea. (25) There God foretold that he would call those who were not his people, i.e. not Jews, his people, beloved, and sons of the living God. (Hosea 2:23) Paul those shows the Jews that it was God’s purpose and intention to bring the Gentiles into “his people” in addition to the Jews. He will develop that idea further in chapter 11. 

The Jewish Remnant Saved

9:27-29

As further proof that God’s word had not failed, Paul shows us that God had previously said only a remnant would be saved. He cited two passages from Isaiah for proof. 

First, Paul cited Isaiah 10:22, saying that Israel may have many people, but only a remnant of Israel will be saved. The original context was the invasion of Israel by Assyria. Paul gave it an second fulfillment regard the unbelief of the Jews.

The second citation is from Isaiah 1. There, Isaiah, speaking for the Lord,  decried the spiritual state of Israel. They rebelled against God, despising him and becoming estranged from him. He told of the desolation that God had brought upon the nation because of their iniquity. Things were so bad that, if God had not let some survive, they would have been completely destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9)

The idea of saving a remnant appears in several places in the Bible. Noah’s family was a small remnant God saved as he destroyed the world with a flood. (Genesis 6) Only Lot’s family were saved from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19) During the time of Elijah, all of Israel served Baal except a remnant of 7,000 God had preserved for himself. (1 Kings 19)

Jesus also spoke of a remnant of humanity being saved. He said: “"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

 

The Great Contrast

9:30-33

Paul pointed out the reason for the failure of the Jews to be saved. They did not pursue righteousness by faith, but by works. They came to believe they could observe the rituals and rules outwardly without believing and trusting in God inwardly. Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for this. 

Because of this, Jesus became a stumbling block for them. They were offended by his claim that they were sinners who needed to repent. They were offended by his claim to be the Son of God in whom they were to believe. And these things were foretold by God through the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 28:16; 8:14; 49:23)

It is good news for us, though, that the last line of the quote is that whoever believes in Jesus will not be put to shame.