ROMANS 9-11

LESSON 8   ROMANS 9-11

What is the relationship between Jews and Christians?

Romans 9

Paul speaks personally about his own grief (9:1-3).

He lists their privileges (4,5):

He asks himself four questions.

Question 1: Has God’s promise failed? (6-13).

There are two Israels: the physical and the spiritual (2:28f.). God’s promise was with those circumcised in the heart by the Spirit, God’s purpose is fulfilled through election. Our salvation is due entirely to God’s grace, will, initiative, wisdom and power.

Question 2: Is God unjust? (14-18). The basis on which God deals savingly with sinners is not justice but mercy. Hardening the heart of Pharoah: God does not harden anyone who has not first hardened himself. God’s hardening of him was a judicial act, abandoning him to his own stubbornness, much as God’s wrath against the ungodly is expressed by giving them over to their own depravity (1:24,26,28).

Question 3: Why does God still blame us? (19-29) Is it fair of God to hold us accountable to him, when he makes the decisions? God has the right of a potter over his clay (20-21). Is it fitting for a human being to talk back to God, for art to ask the artist why he has made it as he has or a pot to challenge the potter? (Isaiah 29:16; 42:9).

Question 4: What then shall we say in conclusion? (30-33). Gentiles have obtained salvation by faith and the Jews did not. Israel is proud, pursuing righteousness in the wrong way, by works instead of faith, and so has stumbled over the stumbling-block of the cross.

 Romans 10

1. Israel’s ignorance of the righteousness of God (1-4) Paul longs for their salvation. He acknowledges their zeal for God, as he himself had experienced (Gal.1:14). But their zeal was misplaced. They were sincere but mistaken.
2. Alternative ways of righteousness (5-13). The gospel is neither remote nor unavailable. The law of Moses required a life that was a perfect fulfilment of the law. But that is not possible. What is necessary to salvation? First the fact of the historic Jesus Christ, incarnate, crucified, risen, reigning as Lord, and accessible. The word of faith is available. Secondly, the apostolic gospel which makes him known. Thirdly, simple trust, calling on the name of the Lord, combining faith in the heart and confession with the mouth. Fourthly, the evangelist who proclaims Christ and urges people to put their trust in him. Christ is available to everyone without distinction.
3. The necessity of evangelism (14-15). First, how can they call on the one they have not believed in? They need to know and believe in his saving work of salvation. Second, how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? They will not believe Christ until they have heard him speaking through his messengers or ambassadors. Thirdly, how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Fourthly, how can they preach unless they are sent? Christ sends heralds; heralds preach; people hear; hearers believe; believers call; and those who call are saved.
4. The reason for Israel’s unbelief (16-21). First, why did Israel not hear the gospel? They did! The apostles made known the gospel to all the Jews they met and where they met in their synagogues. Some believed and others did not. Secondly, why did they not understand? They were envious and angry of those Gentiles who did. They were stubborn. He was found by those outside Israel who did not seek him or call upon him. He held out his hands to Israel but they were disobedient and obstinate. Their response is negative, resistant, recalcitrant, dismissive.

 Romans 11

What is God’s long-term purpose for Israel? Did God reject his people? By no means! (1a) Despite them rejecting God, God has not rejected them. Their rejection is partial and temporary. A believing remnant remains. (1-10) Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! (11a) God used her unbelief to bless the world. (12-32) The rejection of the Jews is neither total nor final. That is the theme of this chapter. There is still an Israelite remnant in the present, and there is going to be an Israelite recovery in the future, which will itself lead to blessing for the whole world.

The apparent rejection of Israel (1-10).

God did not reject his people. Four pieces of evidence. The first is personal: his own example. He himself as a Jew was proof that God had not rejected his people, not even him, a blasphemer and persecutor. The second is theological: God chose and foreknew his own people. Foreknowledge and rejection are mutually incompatible. Thirdly, the biblical evidence, e.g. Elijah. Israel’s national apostasy is not complete. Fourthly, so too there is at the present time a remnant chosen by grace (5,6) not works. This is the elect, while the unbelieving Israelite majority were hardened by which God gives people up to their own stubbornness, e.g. Deut.29:2ff, and Isaiah 29:10

A chain of blessing (11-16).

First, already through Israel’s fall salvation has come to the Gentiles. In his missionary journeys the Jews’ rejection of the gospel led to its offer to and acceptance by Gentiles. Secondly, this Gentile salvation will make Israel envious and so lead to her restoration or ‘fulness’. Thirdly, Israel’s fulness will bring much greater riches to the world.

The allegory of the olive tree (17-24).

The Gentiles were grafted onto the root of Israel. Therefore, they should not presume their superiority. They should not be proud or presumptuous. Israel can be grafted back onto the root and be restored.

The divine mystery (25-32).

God has neither rejected his people nor allowed them to fall beyond recovery. “All Israel will be saved” when “the full number of the Gentiles has come in” (25,26). They will come to faith in Christ. What does this mean today? Some Christians believe that God will save the Jews through their own covenant with any necessity to believe in Jesus. This is usually called a “two-covenant theology”. But this stands in clear opposition to the one olive tree. Paul is envisaging a steady flow of Jews into the church, by grace through faith. His conclusion is first, God’s election is irrevocable (28,29). Secondly, God, by his mercy, has a future for his people (30-32). Referring to all Jews and Gentiles that have faith in Christ.

Doxology (33-36).

It is because all things are from, through and to God that the glory must be his alone. This is why human pride is so offensive. We are totally dependent upon God for everything.