Romans 11 25-36

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

KJ

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 

Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 

Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 

Rom 11:28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 

Rom 11:29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 

Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 

Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 

Rom 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 

Rom 11:35  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 

Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 

Main Points: Paul explains how unbelief can lead others to believe. He is finishing some of what he opens this chapter with; i.e (vs. 7) the elect will get it and some will be hardened. This may seem as a conflict to some, but as Paul continues to illustrate, ONLY GOD can do this. He is also extending the argument of holy jealousy being an effective tool to lead some to obedience (10:19-21, 11:11,14)

 

8. Explain Paul’s statement about a *partial hardening coming upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (25)    KJ says it’s “*blindness” – the root word meaning stupid or callous. “Fullness” means completion, or crammed full. Couple it with what Paul has already stated about the REMNANT, and the Gentile obedience making the Jews JEALOUS to obedience. Paul’s main point about all this is made at the end of this section. It is of God, that is why it works.

 

9. How will all Israel be saved? What Israel is Paul talking about? Mercy (31) Which implies belief (obedience). The reference may be to spiritual Israel which is not a heritage/race. Most specifically, this message concerns the Jews, and of them, the elect (29)…which finishes his hanging argument concerning the elect/remnant  (9:27, 11:5,7). In short it will be saved with the same power/method/system available to the Gentiles:  Complete faith in God through Jesus the Christ. THAT reveals God’s grace.

10. Explain verses 28-29.  As was pointed out earlier, the rejection of the Christ by the Jews opened the door (access to Jehovah) for the Gentiles. But as has alos been pointed out, God HAS NOT rejected Israel. Some of Israel will obey (remnant). God’s call to them within the covenant of promise (chap.9) will never go away. It is always available to them. They are the firstfruits (11:16).

 

11. What was brought about by the disobedience of Israel? Mercy, extended to the Gentiles. Note that this is the perception, however, the reality of it is that God has always simply looked for faith from His children.  If you exhibited faith in Jehovah, you were found righteous, it never mattered where you were born or what color your skin was. It just so happened that events unfolded so that the Jews’ rejection of the Christ prompted and/or coincided with the perception that this religion (God) was being made available to the entire world. Before this, Jehovah was perceived (wrongly) as a nation-specific God. That was never the case. Nations rejected God for idols, but Jehovah was (technically) their God.

 

12. What does it mean that God has consigned (bound-NIV, imprisoned NASB) all to disobedience? (32)  This concludes the hanging arguments; That all have fallen short (chap 3).  It supports his other hanging arguments: There is no difference between Jew and Greek (10:12). Israel is a spiritual concept (2:28/29, 9:6) based on promise.  
It also supports his arguments that this system is one relying on mercy which reveals God’s love/grace.

Who can work his way into righteousness?  Who can leverage their goodness against God, making Him bestow blessings for perfect obedience? It simply cannot happen.

THAT is not God’s fault. It is everyone’s own inability that manifests our need for a loving God. Paul’s point here is ALL are in need of Him.

 

Additional:

25) fullness G4138- plērōma play'-ro-mah From G4137; repletion or completion,

26, 32) all – G3956 pas pasIncluding all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all,

27) take away- G851 aphaireō af-ahee-reh'-o From G575 and G138; to remove

29) gifts –G5486 charisma char'-is-mah From G5483; a (divine) gratuity, that is, deliverance

      Calling – G2821- klēsis klay'-sis From a shorter form of G2564; an invitation

      Irrevocable – G278 - ametamelētos am-et-am-el'-ay-tos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G3338; irrevocable

30) disobedient- G544 apeitheō ap-i-theh'-o From G545; to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)

      Disobedience- G543- apeitheia ap-i'-thi-ah From G545; disbelief (obstinate and rebellious)

31) Disobedient –G544
32) disobedience  -G543

G545- apeithēs ap-i-thace'From G1 (as a negative particle) and G3982; unpersuadable, that is, contumacious: - disobedient.

Romans 11:11-25

KJ

Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 

Rom 11:12  Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 

Rom 11:13  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 

Rom 11:14  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, an                      d might save some of them. 

Rom 11:15  For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 

Rom 11:16  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 

Rom 11:17  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 

Rom 11:18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 

Rom 11:19  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 

Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 

Rom 11:22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 

Rom 11:23  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 

Rom 11:24  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 

Main Points: Paul turns his attention to the Gentiles in a series of if/then/conclusory statements to warn against any arrogance against Israel. Paul’s main point is that Israel is the firstfruit of God’s plan. Their history is the root/foundation for the gospel.

 

5. Explain Paul’s question in verse 11. Then explain Paul’s answer in 11/12. After hammering on the Judaizing teachers for ten chapters, Paul wants to focus on the fact that not all is lost for Israel. He summarizes that if through their shortcomings salvation to the world was brought in (gospel), consider what their obedience (or fullness) brings. That term fullness denotes “completion.” He’s telling the Gentiles ….the church is not complete without Jewish inclusion!

6. How was Israel’s rejection the means for reconciliation of the world? What will Israel’s acceptance mean? (15) –In its broadest sense: Israel was authorized to be the mouthpiece for God, and bring the Messiah. Israel rejected and executed the messiah and the gospel (as a nation). Their dispossession of Jesus made Him a God available to anyone else who would seek Him. It is the polar opposite of the cultural view of Jehovah belonging to the Jews (which was not true). Let’s not confuse this as an accidental occurrence. God fully intended for the Gentiles to be part of this covenant.

7. Explain the message of the olive tree. What is the message to Israel? What is the message to the gentiles? The olive tree is God’s people (as built by God). Paul is telling Israel, some of you have been broken off (unbelieving branches). Some of you are faithful (root). Those who have been broken off (disobedient) can be grafted back in. More importantly, Paul focuses on the fact that what was happening is not a change to God. The tree foundation is still the same (God-made). The message to the Gentiles is two-fold: 1. Israel is the root/firstfruit of God. 2. Because of that, do not become arrogant over their disobedience. You should be looking to bring them to the gospel!

 

Additional:

If/Then Statements To Make A Point
VERSE	IF:	THEN:
12	Their trespass	Means riches for the world
	Their failure	Means riches for the Gentiles
	Conclusion	How much more will their inclusion mean
15	Their rejection	Means the reconciliation of the world
	Conclusion	What will their acceptance mean?
16	The firstfruits…are holy	So is the whole batch
	The root is holy	So are the branches
17	Some of the branches were broken off	You were grafted in (though wild)
18	Gentiles are arrogant towards Israel (broken off branches)	Remember Israel is still the root that supports you Gentiles
20	Conclusion	Do not become proud, but fear
21	God did not spare the natural branches	Neither will He spare you
23	They do not continue in their unbelief	They too will be grafted (back ) in
24	You being wild were grafted into something cultivated (by God)	How much more will the natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree

 

 

Note the use/interpretation of JEALOUS (ESV). This should not be confused with the visceral human condition of jealousy (which can be very harmful). Verse 11 is God simply stimulating them. Verse 14 is similar and might demote more emotion, but make no mistake; this is a Godly jealousy that seeks only good.

11) jealous G846 - αὐτός autos ow-tos' From the particle αὖ au (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self

14) jealous G3863 – παραζηλόω parazēloō par-ad-zay-lo'-o From G3844 and G2206; to stimulate alongside, that is, excite to rivalry

 

 

Romans 11:10-10

KJ

Rom 11:1  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 

Rom 11:2  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 

Rom 11:3  Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 

Rom 11:4  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

Rom 11:6  And if by grace, th en is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 

Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 

Rom 11:9  And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 

Rom 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 

Main Points: God has not rejected His people. There is a remnant, elected by God’s grace, not mans’ works.

 

1.    Has God rejected His people? How does the illustration of Elijah prove his point? No. God had a remnant then and now. More importantly, it was God who was being rejected by His people, not the other way around. They had killed the prophets and destroyed the altars of worship. This is a very similar situation where many were simply rejecting God’s calling to sanctification: Jesus Christ. There would be some whose hearts were open to this gospel, but many will flat out reject it.

2.    How is the remnant chosen? Why is the remnant not chosen by works? (5-6) Grace and obedience. As a flip side to Elijah’s dilemma, people who listened to God’s prophets and respected (honored) God’s worship as he prescribed will be part of the elect.
There is some of the verse missing in the ESV and HCSB. Paul ends the verse (6) with: otherwise work will be no more work. Paul is expounding on the futility of works. We/They simply cannot do what God can do. Who of us says “my work is more important that the sacrifice of Jesus?”  Coming off of chapter 10, we are to be  calling God to help us. He will help us if we love Him and show that love in our lives. If we try to make God “owe” us, we’ve lost the plot. All of our work with that attitude is worthless before God (it is no longer work). Obedience through love is good work.

 

3.    What did the elect obtain? What did Israel fail to obtain? Why did it fail to obtain it? (7-10) The elect obtained God’s grace through manifest humility….exercising a heart of faith, professing the NEED for Jesus. As has been explained in chapter nine: Pursuing the law, “Israel has not attained to the law of righteousness.”  As Paul has already explained, righteousness is not found in law, but in faith/grace. Paul just keeps circling back to this main point.

4.    How do the two quotations prove Paul’s point? (8-10) Deut. 29:4 – The context is that even though Israel witnessed God’s power, they still did not understand Him. Ps. 69:22-23 – David looks to God to exact vengeance on his enemies. Their victory over David is illustrated as a “table” or feast…something desirable. They thought they had won. In reality, because it was not of God, it was a failure, or stumbling block.
Paul is saying, you should know God better, you’ve been taught about him all you lives, but you still don’t understand Him. You think you HAVE God cornered, and by that arrogance you actually have nothing.

 

Additional:

Grace G5485 χάρις charis khar'-ece From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act

 

Note the parallels:

Killed the prophets | Killed Jesus

Demolished your Altars | Corruption of the Temple/Law

Paul is still delivering some tough love to his brothers.

Romans 10:1-21

KJ

Rom 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 

Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 

Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

Rom 10:5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 

Rom 10:6  But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 

Rom 10:7  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 

Rom 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

Rom 10:12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 

Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 

Rom 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Rom 10:18  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 

Rom 10:19  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 

Rom 10:20  But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 

Rom 10:21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. 

Main Points: Paul re-iterates his plea to lead his kinsmen to salvation. He also continues his argument for coming to God in a state of faith as opposed to attempting to establish their own brand of righteousness.

 

1.    What lesson do we learn from verse 2? Zeal without knowledge is useless. Paul knows this firsthand. He is overtly qualified to call this out.

2.    Why has Israel not found justification? (3) In a linear explanation: They ignored God’s righteousness. They sought to make themselves righteous (through works). They did not submit themselves to God. When we consider this, isn’t it basically the subordinate making themselves as gods? If you can make God “owe” you something, isn’t that exerting your own power? (extortion)

3.    Explain verse 4.  End: G5056 – telo - properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result- Jesus is the righteous result of the law. No other person could do this. He is the conclusion of the law (or…the end of it)! Note: Although Jesus did not sin, He did not exercise his righteousness as something owed. He still humbled Himself before the Father in obedience. 

4.    How is one justified by law? (5)  “live by them” Lev 18:4-5. The concept of LIVING something extends way past doing it as a means to an end. Living it means the righteousness the law was to instill becomes a part of the character. ….being honest and gentle…considerate etc. If we look to chapters like 5-7 we see the law had become an invitation to sin, not a way to overcome it.

5.    What is the righteousness based on faith, according to Paul? (6-10) (Refer to Deut 30) Paul is reaching back to chapter 2 where he states that God’s kindness should lead a person to a life of repentance. He actually corrects their thinking of the law. It TOO was supposed to lead the person to love God. Instead, they held on to sin and tried to extort “righteousness” by their own works. Paul focuses on the believer being moved to “confess” that Jesus is Lord based on a deep belief within the heart. That moves beyond what Jesus did (ascend/descend) and forces the one hearing to make a change in thought/actions. How does Jesus change me internally/externally? The law was built to do that as well, but it was missing the Jesus component of propitiation.

6.    What is the point of verse 12 in the context of Paul’s argument in this chapter and the last chapter? I think we need to couple verse eleven as well since it is similar to that OT reference in chapter 9- (9:33) Is.28:16. Paul’s effort here is to unify the church by convincing the Jews that Gentiles are afforded this opportunity for salvation. Isaiah infers that ANYONE who trusts in God will not be disappointed. Paul’s focus is on “ANYONE” and shows that it extends beyond Israel. It extends beyond law and mere obedience (pervious verses).

7.    How does one “call on the name of the Lord,” according to this text? (13) Within the text, it is simply to assent verbally that Jesus is Lord. We must not ignore this word structure. It uses two words one means to “call, aloud.” The other word means “superimposition.” This is not just a “hey there” or a call to pay attention. It is an entreaty: for help, aid, assistance. That is the foundation of the Christian calling Jesus “Lord.”  This sensibility also continues Paul’s argument that we cannot do this on our own. It is a call to humility.

8.    What is the point of verses 14-17? Following Paul’s linear pattern: 1) The law has been fulfilled. 2) God now relates to us through His son Jesus the Christ. 3) This new way is extended to the entire world. It is not nation specific. 4) These things bring questions as to how the Gentiles can be included. Paul’s MAIN POINT is that (as always) God’s plan is contingent on FAITH which any person can generate, but it must be of a Holy foundation. That holy foundation is God’s word. (Some translations interpret “the word of Christ” or “the message about Christ”, which is agreeable, but the actual word used typically denotes Jehovah. He gets a little into the nuts and bolts of it, but his main point is Gentiles have access to God too.
Note: In the same way the Gentiles were unbelievers, the Jews were (of Jesus) as well.

9.    Has Israel heard? (16) “But they have not all obeyed the gospel” – the statement can apply to anyone who does not believe and confess Jesus. It is likely directed at Israel for what he is about to say next.

10.  What is the reason Israel has not obeyed? (19-21)  Arrogance/faithlessness: Other nations that were perceived to lack understanding  pleased God (because of their faith). People who were not perceived to be looking for God found Him (by faith). God calls Israel “disobedient and contrary.”  The big difference here is humility. Those who call for aid vs. those who call for earned righteousness.

 

Additional:

10) confess: G3670 hom-ol-og-eh'-o From a compound of the base of G3674 and G3056; to assent,

13) Call –G1941 : ἐπικαλέομαι epikaleomai ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee

Middle voice from G1909 and G2564; to entitle; by implication to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.): - appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname.