Romans 11 – three parts:
V1-10
Then v11-32
Then v33-end – Doxology.
V1-10
He begins with a question. V1 Did God reject his people?
He says loud and clear – By no means! No he says
Then in v2a he firmly says ‘’God did not reject his people.’’
It is the burning question – does Israel’s rejection of the gospel means God’s rejection of Israel.
Has God rejected he has asked. He shares his biography. ‘’I am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.’’
God has not rejected the Jews, because he is a Jew, he has not rejected the Israel, because he is an Israelite.
Christopher Ash points out another helpful insight. Paul’s past may have been known by the Church – Paul himself said, he opposed Christ, he persecuted his believers etc. If you would call anyone hardened – surely Paul would have been described as that. And yet, he had come to faith and trust in Jesus – Ash suggests, Paul makes himself a model – if I can come to faith, who can’t?
V2-7 Paul shares the famous moment of Elijah, in a cave, telling God I am the only one left, and God declares 7000.
It reminded me a little of Empire Strikes Back – Luke leaves Dagobah to fly to Cloud City and Obi Wan says to Yoda, that boy is our last hope…
Then Yoda says – no there is another…
God has not rejected his people – there is not only one, but more, many more. There is a faithful remnant – which includes Paul – who have responded in faith to Christ.
Again a possible second meaning – just like Elijah, said it is only me, and God says there are others; Paul’s example challenges the Gentiles in Rome, that there could be more Jews responding to the message of Jesus than they think…
How are they a remnant -v6. ‘’There is a remnant chosen by grace. And if it by grace then it is no longer by works.’’ There was nothing the remnant did – it was by grace they were saved. They have believed – as Romans 10 said – they confessed Jesus is Lord and believed in their hearts God raised him from the dead. You remember the words from Ephesians 2:
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved… 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9).
That word grace reminds them and us, that salvation is all God’s initiative and he wants to make sure they understand that.
V7
Israel sought but did not obtain. End of Romans 9, says that the Jews were pursuing righteousness by works and not by faith. As a nation they did not obtain it, but a remnant did.
Hardening we have discussed before. As a Romanian theologian put it: ‘’The majority was hardened by God, but we should understand that people chose their own destiny, made their own decisions and followed their own way,’’ (Corneliu Constantineanu, Romans in Central and Eastern European Bible Commentary, p1325).
What that hardening meant was they failed to see or to hear the meaning of what God was doing for them in and through Christ.
However the main point in these first 10 verses is that God has not rejected all Israel, there has always been a faithful remnant – a theme throughout Israel’s history.
V11-32 Paul then moves into discussing God’s faithfulness to Israel.
There is hope for Israel and this hardening – is not final.
V11 His next question.
Have they stumbled so as to fall beyond recovery?
It is like the image of a long distance race – the runner who stumbles – can they rejoin the race, can they actually come within the medals …
Paul again is emphatic – Not at all!
He is going to share the good news that Israel’s unbelief will be used by God within the divine plan and it is not ‘’a fatal fall’’ (Michael Gorman, Apostle of the Crucified Lord, p451). In the coming verses, Paul is going to give an illustration of that great bible verse may of us treasure – also in Romans 8 – for ‘’and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…’’ The God who can work through all situations, no matter how challenging…
Israel has stumbled. Yet in that sadness has led to a positive. The salvation of the Gentiles.
He repeats this point in v11-12. Paul shows this understanding in Acts. In Paul’s first Missionary Journey – Acts 13 – after a fruitful first sabbath of preaching, the following one, he and Barnabas face opposition.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:46-47
And what wonderful words Paul uses to describe the Gospel.
He says ‘’if their transgression means riches for the world.’’ Riches. What a wonderful image for what we have received!
What could Paul have had in mind – Christians being people being transformed, grace shaped, increasingly Jesus like, with the indwelling Spirit, knowing God increasingly as a Father, living in freedom from the guilt, condemnation and power of sin…
And those riches would, he believes make Israel jealous – they will see God’s work and want it…
V13-14 – continuing the idea he declares that his ministry does not only benefit the Gentiles – it isn’t only for them – but he hopes through his ministry, his own people ‘’ will be aroused to envy and some will turn to Christ.’’ There is this constant theme that the door is continually open to the Jewish people.
Two images. V16-24
He talks about dough and a tree. We focus on the tree.
The tree.
It is an image of Israel. Those who do not believe – are like branches broken off.
He wants to explain this new relationship between Jew and Gentile in the family of God – where all are saved, have the Spirit, call God Abba Father. The Messianic Jews are the natural branches; the Gentiles – the Christians – are compared to wild branches grafted in.
This discussion of the tree is said to the Gentiles deliberately. To help them have the right attitude – we see in this in V18 not to boast over the Jews., and V20 do not be arrogant he tells them.
Gentiles are only in the tree by God’s plan and grace, by faith, that they have been grafted in. They and we are included only due to ‘’God’s kindness’’. Maybe already they are taking for granted – forgetting what the story of salvation is.
Growing up in N.Ireland, there were two Scottish clubs many supported. Rangers and Celtic. Now, Rangers at that stage was seen as a totally Protestant club. In my country in those days, only Protestants supported Rangers. And at that time, for many years, only Protestant players played for the first team.
Until July 1989 when Mo Johnston signed for Rangers. Not only was he Roman Catholic, he had played for Celtic. It was something never expected… seismic shift…everything had changed.
Today, a Catholic player for Rangers is not a shock, it is seen as part of football. Not too long ago Rangers captain was Roman Catholic. But then years ago it was very different.
The Tree – The Gentiles maybe were assuming this is how it always is. No, it is a huge thing, don’t take it for granted. by grace you are part of the tree, and the tree has life because of God’s promises for the world declared to the patriarchs.
The tree allegory shares hope for the future. God can graft Israel back in. The only thing needed – v23 – if they do not persist in unbelief. As the Gentiles who have been grafted onto the tree are only there due to God’s mercy and their faith in the gospel of Christ – so the Jews only need God’s mercy and that same faith in the gospel – to be reconnected to the family of God.
This is what Paul has been repeatedly saying through Romans 10 to now. Paul does not change the criteria for inclusion – ie to be saved. The criteria – negatively – is about the end of unbelief. Positively – it is about faith in the gospel.
V25-32
There are many views on these verses…
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. Romans 11:25-26
First thing Paul says – Israel’s current unbelief – the hardening – is partial – we hear the words – hardening in part – and it is only temporary – it will only last until the full number of Gentiles comes in…
All Israel will be saved. I liked Michael Gorman’s approach to unpacking this. There are three basic questions – who, how, when?
How? Will they be saved? Looking chapters 9-11. Abandon unbelief and disobedience, believe and obey the Gospel about King Jesus. We see that in v23 and also in Romans 10 and of course the entire journey of the letter. There is no way for salvation – except by confessing Jesus as Messiah and Lord.
It has been suggested by some Christian writers that there are two ways of salvation – one for the Jews and one for the Gentiles. The Law Covenant for the Jews and the Christ covenant for the Gentiles. It is argued that v26 does not mention Jesus when discussing salvation and v28 the words about God’s call and giving.
Yet that is the reason we need to read Romans 11 in Romans 9-11 and in fact read the whole letter – when Paul speaks about salvation it exclusively refers to Christ – salvation only happens through Christ. There cannot be two different ways of salvation for Jew and Gentile.
Next question.
Who is saved.
All Israel. One argument said is that here is means the church – Jews and Gentiles together.
The problem here again is the entire letter – when Paul refers to Israel – which he does often in 9-11 – he means the Jewish people. We see this in v25 – full number of Gentiles and then v26 – all Israel. He cannot mean ‘Gentiles – ethnic definition’ and then v26 start using a new definition… Through 9-11 Paul’s anguish, burden and heart has been for this fellows Jews – ethnic Israel, the broken off branches. Also he mentions v14 the hope that out of jealously of what God was doing among the Gentiles, some Jews would be saved.
All Israel – would seem to mean All Jews. What does All. Some writers will say that All refers to the Jews down through the ages. That could fit the ‘’full number of Gentiles’’. There is much to say for that. However, Paul knows there is a remnant know. So if ‘’All Israel’’ means simply the gathering of all the remnant down through the ages since Christ, that would not seem to be what Paul has in mind.
V29 –‘’ the gifts and calling of God is irrevocable.’’ If this simply means some Jews will believe, then this does not look like the fulfillment of a long term call, it does not seem to fit Paul’s movement towards something that will different happen among the Jews…
Paul I think is saying that someday, all Jews will be moved from disobedience to obedience, like the Gentiles received mercy and were obedient.
Okay. That leaves us with one question – ‘’When?’’
Paul says after ‘’all will be saved’’
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:26-27
These words from Isaiah point to: forgiveness of sins, removal of ungodliness, renewal of the covenant – when the deliverer comes.
Deliverer – points most likely to Jesus.
So quoting the verses from Isaiah, could be Paul saying – this is how Israel will be saved and pointing to where this is stated in Isaiah (as Paul has been quoting much from that book). So how are they all saved, by the Deliverer – again repeating the theme he has saved – saved not by the law by grace.
So this can means his first advent. Paul restates the reason why they are saved.
This would mean the WHEN simply is a point in the future, a large scale conversation of ethnic Jews, which will herald the end times –‘’when the full number of Gentiles has come in’’.
A second way to interpret the words from Isaiah is to see it as time connected. All Israel will be saved – and when – when the Deliverer comes. As the Deliverer has come already this most likely would point to our Lord’s Return. That understanding would mean, to quote Michael Gorman : ‘’the eschatological coming of Jesus our Deliverer will result in the salvation of all Jews through faith, that is, through the acknowledgement of Jesus lordship.’’ Gorman, Apostle Paul, pg. 454.
There are other suggestions, one of which is that Paul may have had in mind his own salvation when he met the Lord– and so the Jews may have a similar experience.
V28-32
In the closing words. The Jews, as a majority, may be hostile to the Gentile Christians, yet they remain loved and God has not given up on them due to the promises made and the calling he expressed with the patriarchs and at Mt Sinai under Moses.
And Paul brings it all back to mercy – grace…
Just as the Gentiles were disobedient – again we go back to Romans 1-3 – yet received mercy; so the Jews who are disobedient, we are told, they will experience the mercy of God.
Mercy on them all is the final phrase – as a Romanian theologian said:
‘’mercy is God’s final gift to humankind. God is for us. He showers us with mercy and love and nothing can separate us from his love.
God’s plan of redemption which includes the Jews and the Gentiles is based on mercy and love and has been shown in Jesus Christ.
All are welcome. No one is excluded.’’ (Constantineanu, Romans, in Central and Eastern Europe Commentary , pg 1328).
V33-36
‘All are welcome, no one excluded.’
With such a vision, you can feel your heart raise in praise.
Paul is confident in God’s ‘’mysterious magnificent mercy’’ – as Gorman puts it (Gorman, Apostle, pg 454) –
it stirs Paul’s heart to react in praise as it should ours. I can imagine him standing and raising his arms…
He is convinced of God’s redemption of the world – full number of Gentiles and all Israel.
He celebrates God’s greatness, and his ways. And the plan for humanity’s salvation. It is hard to understand, ‘’who knows the mind of God’’ – yet Paul knows God will accomplish his plan to redeem the world, he will keep his promises.
He is worthy of our worship
‘’for from him, and through him and to him are all things, to him be the glory forever. Amen.’’
Amen.
Our Final Prayer are those closing words from Romans 11 :
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
(Romans 11:33-36)