Romans 11:1-36

Paul’s letter to the *Romans

Romans

Hilda Bright and Keith Simons

Chapter 11

God’s plan for *Israel’s future 11:1-32

The results of the *Jews’ failure to obey God 11:1-12

v1 So, I tell you that God did not decide to end his *relationship with his people. That is certainly not correct. I am an *Israelite myself. I am a *descendant of Abraham. I belong to the family of Benjamin. v2 God did not decide to end his *relationship with his people, whom he chose long ago. You ought to know what *scripture says about Elijah. He complained to God about *Israel. v3 He said, ‘*Lord, they have killed your *prophets. They have destroyed your *altars. I am the only person who is still loyal to you. And they are trying to kill me.’

v4 This is how God answered him. He said, ‘I have kept 7000 people who are still loyal to me. They have not *worshipped Baal’ (a false god). v5 So too, at the present time, there remain some people who are loyal to God. God has chosen them because of his kindness. v6 And if God chose them by his kindness, then their *relationship with God does not depend on their good deeds. If that were true, then kindness would not have any real meaning.

v7 So then, the people in *Israel did not obtain what they wanted. But the people whom God chose obtained it. The rest of the people became unwilling to change. v8 *Scripture says,

‘God made it hard for them to understand.

It was as if he made them blind. So they could not see (know) the truth.

It was as if he made them deaf. So they were unwilling to listen to his message.

And they are still like that today.’

v9 And David says,

‘I pray that their greedy attitudes will cause troubles for them.

I pray that their enemies will hunt them with nets and traps.

I pray that they will suffer a complete and proper punishment.

v10 Make their eyes blind.

Bend over their backs so that they can never recover.’

v11 I am not saying that they could never recover from their troubles. That is certainly not correct. But because of their wrong deeds, the *Gentiles have received *salvation. God wants to make the people in *Israel jealous. v12 The whole world benefited as a result of their wrong deeds. The *Gentiles benefited because of their error. But everyone will benefit much more when God’s plan to *save *Israel is complete.

Verse 1 God had wonderful plans for the *Jews. He sent their *messiah, who is Jesus. He offers them *grace, *salvation and *righteousness. But the reaction of most *Jews was unbelief. They refused to accept God’s generous gifts. It might seem that God’s plans for the *Jews had failed. But Paul shows in this chapter that God’s plans had not failed. In fact, God has an even more wonderful plan for the future of the *Jews.

Paul has already spoken about the effects of unbelief. In Romans 9:17, he spoke about Pharaoh (the ruler of Egypt). Pharaoh tried to stop God’s plans. Pharaoh’s efforts could not succeed. Pharaoh and his army suffered a terrible punishment. But of course, God’s plan was successful. He even used Pharaoh’s unbelief to win a great *victory.

The situation at the time of Paul was similar. People had shown great unbelief. But they could not stop God’s plan. And this is still true today. God still has a plan for the *Jews. Those people who show unbelief will not benefit. Unless they *repent, they will suffer the punishment for their *sins. But God’s plan will succeed. He will win a great *victory.

Paul shows in two ways that God has not ended his *relationship with the *Jews.

1. Paul is a *Jew himself. He is a *descendant of Abraham. He is from the family called Benjamin. This was a small family, but the first king of *Israel came from it. Paul had acted against God in the past before he became a Christian. God had forgiven him. So God could forgive other *Jews as well.

Verses 2-4

2. Paul reminds the *Jews about the answer that God gave to the *prophet Elijah. The queen made plans to kill Elijah. He knew that the people no longer *worshipped God. They had destroyed God’s *altars. *Prophets had died because of their *faith. Elijah thought that he was the only person in *Israel who was still loyal to God. God told him that this was not true. There were still 7000 people who were loyal to God. They had not *worshipped the false god, Baal (1 Kings 19:14-18).

Verses 5-6 Even as in the time of Elijah, there were still *Jews who were loyal to God. God had chosen them because he loved them. They did not deserve his love. They could not receive *salvation because of their own deeds. God showed his kindness when he *saved them. But if they deserved *salvation, God would not be showing any kindness. So God gives gifts to people that they do not deserve.

Verses 7-8 In Paul’s time, there were two groups of *Jews. This is still true in many nations today. One group showed *faith. They were the people whom God chose. He *saved them because of his kindness. But the second group showed unbelief. They were unwilling to obey God.

Paul combines two passages of *scripture. He shows what happens to people in that second group. They do not believe the *gospel. And they even become unable to hear or to understand it. First Paul uses Isaiah 29:10: ‘The *Lord has made you sleep. He has closed your eyes.’ Then Paul uses Deuteronomy 29:4: ‘Even today the *Lord has still not given you a mind that understands. It is as if your eyes cannot see. It is as if your ears cannot hear.’

Verses 9-10 Paul also uses words from Psalms 69:22-23. The writer of that Psalm asks God to act against his enemies. His enemies are like people who sit at a *feast. They feel happy and safe. But enemies could attack them before they realise it. Paul associates that passage with the *Jews who refused to believe God’s good news. Paul suggests that they feel happy and safe. But their selfish satisfaction is like a trap that will cause terrible pain. The day will come when they cannot see (know) the truth at all. Then, they will suffer. They will be like blind people. Or, they will be like a person who bends over with a great load on his back. Their wrong attitudes will cause them great trouble.

Verses 11-12 Many *Jews refused to believe the *gospel. Paul has explained about the terrible punishments that those people will suffer because of their unbelief. But that is not the end of God’s *relationship with the *Jews. God still has a plan for their families. Paul emphasises that the *Jewish people will recover from their troubles. They will again be the people whom God has chosen. But in the meantime, God offers *salvation to everyone who will accept it. Because *Israel has *sinned, *salvation has come to the *Gentiles. In the Book of Acts, Luke records 4 occasions when Paul began to *preach to *Gentiles. But those *Jews refused his message of *salvation. So Paul offered it to the *Gentiles (Acts 13:46; Acts 18:6; Acts 19:8-9; Acts 28:28). The *Jews would see how God had brought *blessings to the *Gentiles. So the *Jews would be jealous and they would turn to God themselves. Their *sin had brought *blessings. So there will be an even greater *blessing for everyone in the end. The *Jews will return to God. The number of *Jewish believers will be complete. And *Jews and *Gentiles will be glad together because of what God has done.

Paul warns the *Gentiles 11:13-24

v13 I am talking to you who are not *Jews. I am the *apostle to the *Gentiles. So I think that my work for them is very important. v14 I will make the *Jews jealous by my work among the *Gentiles. So I hope that some *Jews will trust Jesus. v15 The result of their temporary loss was that the whole world could return to God. But when the *Jews return to God, the result will be wonderful. Life will replace death.

v16 People offer *dough to God. If the first piece is *holy, all the *dough is *holy. If the root of a tree is *holy, so are the branches. v17 A gardener might remove some branches from an *olive tree. Then he might take some branches from a wild *olive tree. And he can bind the wild branches onto his own tree. Those branches would then share the strength that comes from its root. You *Gentiles are like those wild branches. v18 But do not imagine that you are better than the *Jews! The branches of a tree do not support the root. It is the root that supports the branches. So remember who gave you the opportunity to know God’s kindness.

Now, the *Jews are like the branches that the gardener removed. v19 You, who are *Gentiles, might say, ‘They are like the branches that the gardener removed. And I have now taken their place.’ v20 Yes, but this happened because they did not believe God. You have taken their place simply because you believed God. Do not be proud. Be afraid of God! v21 God did not *save them, although they were like the natural branches. And he will not *save you (unless you are humble). v22 Remember! God is kind. But he is also strict. He was strict with those who refused to obey him. But he was kind to you. So you must continue to live in his kindness. Otherwise, you cannot have a *relationship with God. You would become again like branches that are not part of the tree.

v23 If the people from *Israel do not continue in their unbelief, God will mend their *relationship with him. It will be as if those natural branches are again part of the tree. God is able to do this. v24 A gardener can cut a branch from a wild *olive tree. And he can join that branch to an *olive tree in his own garden. But that is an unnatural event. Remember that you *Gentiles are like that wild branch. But the natural branches come from the same tree. So it is much more natural that they should be part of the tree again.

Verses 13-15 Paul was an *apostle to the *Gentiles. So he speaks to them about his work. Paul was teaching the *Gentiles to become *righteous by means of *faith. He knew that the *Jews were also eager to become *righteous. But they were trying to do this by their own efforts. And such a method could not succeed. But the *Jews would see that God accepted the *Gentiles. And the *Jews would be jealous. Then they too would want to have *faith in *Christ.

Paul was sad that so many *Jews had refused God’s way of *salvation. But now the rest of the world had the opportunity to have a *relationship with God. In the end, when the *Jews believe the *gospel, the result will be as wonderful as life from death. Perhaps Paul was thinking about Ezekiel’s *vision of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). The bones came alive as a sign that God would cause *Israel to live again.

Verse 16 Paul uses two word pictures. He shows that God would not turn away from the *Jews permanently.

1. The first piece of *dough was a gift to God (Numbers 15:17-21). The rest of the *dough became *holy too. ‘The first piece’ means the first people who believed the *gospel. They are the *Jewish Christians. When they believed, the rest of the *Jews could become believers.

2. The root of a tree affects the whole tree. ‘The root’ probably meant Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were the *ancestors of the *Jewish nation. Their *descendants were the branches in Paul’s time. God had made a *covenant with Abraham which would last always. He would be the God of Abraham’s *descendants (Genesis 17:7). As Abraham’s *descendants, the *Jews would benefit from the promises of God’s *covenant.

Verses 17-24 Paul continues to think about a tree. There were very many *olive trees in the country. So an *olive tree became a description of the *Jewish nation. ‘The *Lord called you a healthy *olive tree’ (Jeremiah 11:16).

Paul describes a technique called grafting. Farmers and gardeners world-wide still use grafting today. The problem is that a strong tree does not always yield good quality fruit. A weaker tree might yield better quality fruit. But because that tree is weak, it cannot yield much fruit. If both trees are of the same kind, the gardener can try grafting. He removes the branches from the strong tree. Then he binds a small branch of the weaker tree to the stem of the strong tree. This is a difficult task. Only a skilled gardener has a good possibility of success. But if the gardener succeeds, he will have a much better tree. It will be a strong tree that yields good fruit. And the fruit will be plentiful.

Many *Jews refused to believe God. Those people lost their opportunity to have a right *relationship with God. They were like the branches that the gardener removes from the tree.

But many *Gentiles believed God. And they were able to have a real *relationship with God. They would be like the new branches, which would receive strength from the root. Jesus used a similar description in John chapter 15.

God had joined the *Gentiles to his people, the *Jews. Paul warns the *Gentiles. They must not be too proud that they are now part of God’s people. Paul may have worried about the way that many *Gentiles thought about the *Jews. These *Gentiles did not understand the *Jews and they laughed at the *Jews. Paul did not want the *Gentiles in Rome to have the wrong attitude towards the *Jews. The Christian *faith came from the root of the *Jewish *faith. Paul imagines that a *Gentile speaks proudly. He says, ‘The *Jews are like the branches that the gardener removed. And I have now taken their place.’ Paul warned that *Gentile. If God had removed some branches, he could remove another branch. He could remove the branch that he had joined to the tree. *Gentiles can stay in God’s *kingdom only if they remain firm in their *faith (see also Hebrews 3:14). But this is not a reason for *Gentile Christians to worry that they will lose their *salvation. God is able to protect them (Jude verse 24). They now belong to God’s people. God has chosen them to be his special people. They are his royal priests. They belong to his *kingdom (1 Peter 2:9). God has changed their lives completely (1 Peter 2:10).

God had been firm with the *Jews who refused to obey him. He had been kind to the *Gentiles. So the *Gentiles must remain loyal to God. They did not deserve *salvation. They only received *salvation because of God’s kindness. But long ago, God chose the *Jews to be his own special people. He made his *covenant with them. And his promises still stand today. Paul eagerly expected a time when his own people, the *Jews, would believe the *gospel. God can make this happen.

The future for *Israel 11:25-32

v25 *Brothers and *sisters, I want you to understand this mystery. I do not want you to become proud. Part of *Israel has become unwilling to trust God. This will last only until the full number of *Gentiles has come into God’s *kingdom. v26 And so God will *save all the people in *Israel. Isaiah writes,

‘The *Saviour will come from *Zion.

He will remove all kinds of wicked things from Jacob’s family.

v27 This will make my *covenant with them become true,

when I take away their *sins.’

v28 The *Jews may seem to be your enemies when they oppose the good news. But God chose them and he loves them because of his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. v29 God does not take back his gifts. He does not change his mind about those whom he has chosen. v30 At one time, you *Gentiles did not obey God. But now you have received his kindness. This happened because the *Jews did not obey him. v31 And God has a similar plan for the *Jews. They do not obey him now. But God has been kind to you so that they too will know his kindness. v32 God has made everyone like prisoners, because they do not obey him. This is his plan so that he can show his kindness to them all.

Verses 25-27 Paul tells his *Gentile *brothers and *sisters about God’s future plan for the *Jews. Many *prophets wrote about that plan, for example Isaiah 60:1-14; Daniel 12:1; Micah 7:11-12; Zechariah 8:1-23. So Paul was sure that God has a plan to *save the *Jews.

Paul refers to Proverbs 3:7 as he warns the *Gentiles not to ‘become proud’. In the original language, those words are, ‘Do not become wise in yourselves.’ So Paul urges the *Gentile Christians to trust God’s wisdom and to believe God’s plan. Many *Jews who do not believe might behave like enemies. But Christians must love the *Jews as friends, because God loves them (verse 28). And God wants Christians to impress the *Jews by means of their (the Christians’) love for God. Then the *Jews too will want to receive God’s kindness (verse 31). And that is God’s plan to *save the *Jews (verse 26). Paul says that the *Jews will not always oppose God. When the full number of *Gentiles has come into the *kingdom, God will *save all *Israel. In other words, he will *save all the *Jews that remain (Zechariah 13:8-9). Paul uses words from Isaiah to support this idea. He uses the *Greek translation (called the Septuagint). Isaiah 59:20 says, ‘The *Saviour will come from *Zion (Jerusalem).’ This may refer to the time when Jesus came. *Zion was the place from which the *gospel came. But God only *saved the first of the *Jews at that time (Romans 11:16). His future plan is for those *Jews that remain. And he will bring about his plan when *Christ returns.

So Paul was thinking also about the second time that *Christ will come. God will take away the *sin of *Israel then (Isaiah 27:9). The *prophet Jeremiah said that God had promised a new *covenant (31:33-34). People will want to obey God, because he has taken away their *sins. At the last supper, Jesus spoke about this new *covenant. His death would be the beginning of the new *covenant. God’s promise would become true (Matthew 26:28). People start to receive the benefit of this *covenant when they invite *Christ into their lives. So the *Jews will also receive the benefit of this same *covenant. They will know God’s kindness because of *Christ.

Verses 28-29 Because of unbelief, many *Jews opposed the first Christians. Those *Jews acted as if they were enemies. But God loved the *Jews. God had chosen them to be his people. He would never forget the promise of *blessing that he had made to their *ancestors. God is not like people. He brings about the things that he promised (Numbers 23:19).

Verses 30-31 In the past, the *Gentiles did not obey God. Now, because the *Jews had not obeyed him, the *Gentiles receive God’s *mercy. As the result of God’s *mercy to the *Gentiles, the *Jews themselves will receive God’s *mercy.

Verse 32 Paul has shown that there is no difference between *Jews and *Gentiles. They all have *sinned (Romans 3:9). They all can receive God’s *salvation (Romans 10:12-13). Now Paul adds that all people are like prisoners. They are like prisoners because they are unable to obey God. Until they receive God’s *salvation, *sin controls their lives. The *scripture says that the whole world is like a prisoner. This is because *sin controls everybody in the world (Galatians 3:22). There is only one way out of this prison. God’s *mercy can make free everyone who trusts him.

A song to praise God 11:33-36

Paul has explained the *gospel in the first 11 Chapter s of his letter. He has written about God’s great plan for both *Jews and *Gentiles. He has written about God’s great love, which people can never deserve. So he ends this part of his letter with a song to praise God.

v33 God’s wisdom and knowledge are very wonderful!

We can never understand his judgements.

And we can never find out his ways!

v34 Nobody can ever know what is in the mind of the *Lord.

Nobody can ever give advice to him.

v35 Nobody has ever given anything to God

so that God has to pay him back.

v36 All things come from God. Everything exists by him and for him.

We should always give the *glory to God! *Amen.

Verse 33 Paul’s praises two things: God’s wisdom and his decisions. It is impossible for a person to understand God’s ways. The word ‘wonderful’ shows that God’s wisdom is far greater than the wisest thoughts of any wise person. His judgements are better than the judgements of the wisest human judge. A human judge might know about a person’s actions. But only God understands that person perfectly. God knows the real reasons for an action. God can *judge thoughts as well as actions.

Verse 34 Paul uses Isaiah 40:13. The two statements remind us that ‘God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts’ (Isaiah 55:8).

Verses 35-36 In verse 35, Paul refers to God’s words in Job 41:11. God cannot owe us anything. Whatever we might give to him has come from him. David realised this: ‘Everything comes from you. We have given to you only what comes from you’ (1 Chronicles 29:14). God created everything. God spoke, and the world and everything in it started to exist. Everything was for God. So he was the beginning, and he will be the end. *Glory belongs to God alone. People should not be proud. They should not behave as if they do not need God. So Paul prays that people will always praise God. They should praise him because of who he is. And they should praise him because of what he has done.

Chapter s 12-15 Practical advice

Paul has explained the *gospel. Now he gives practical advice. He describes how a Christian should live in the world. He gives advice about attitudes. A Christian should behave well towards other Christians and towards his enemies. Paul deals with the relationship of the Christian to the state and its laws. He writes about responsibilities. A Christian has a responsibility to people whose *faith is weak. Finally, he writes about himself. He writes about his work as an *apostle and his plans. And he requests prayer (15:14-33).

Roman ~ a person from the city called Rome, or a description of anything that has a relationship with Rome. Rome was the most important city in the world at the time when Paul wrote this letter. It was the capital city where the Emperor lived.
Emperor ~ ruler over many countries.
Israel ~ another name for Jacob, who was an ancestor of the Israelites. Israel became a name for the country where the Israelites lived. And Israel is also a name for all the Israelites.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
Israelite ~ the people that are Jews.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

'Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
relationship ~ a friendship; or way in which people know each other.
Israelite ~ the people that are Jews.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
descendants ~ future members of a family or nation.
Lord ~ God; the word that we may use for Jesus when we obey him; someone who rules or who is a master.
prophet ~ a person who told the people what God wanted.
altar ~ a table where people offered sacrifices.
sacrifice ~ something which people offer to God, especially an animal that they killed as a gift to God. Jesus’ death was the perfect sacrifice because, by his death, he freed people from sin.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.
worship ~ to show honour to God (or to a false god), alone or with other people.
Gentile ~ someone hwo is not a Jew, or, a description of anything that has a relationship to people who are not Jews.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
salvation ~ rescue from evil things; when God forgives us our evil deeds.
save ~ to rescue from the power of sin.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king who would come to rescue them; the Christ (that is, Jesus).

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Christ ~ the Greek word for Messiah, that is, Jesus.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.
grace ~ God’s love that people do not deserve.
righteousness ~ goodness; a right relationship with God.
relationship ~ a friendship; or way in which people know each other.
victory ~ success against an enemy.
repent ~ to change one’s mind totally; when someone who was doing wrong things begins to obey God.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.
prophet ~ a person who told the people what God wanted.
faith ~ trust in someone or something; the things that Christians believe about Jesus.
gospel ~ good news.
feast ~ splendid meal.'Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
preach ~ to tell and to explain the good news about Jesus.
apostle ~ someone who goes out to preach about Jesus; one of the 12 men whom Jesus sent out.
preach ~ to tell and to explain the good news about Jesus.
dough ~ flour and water that a person has mixed in order to make bread.
holy ~ something or someone that is special for God.
olive ~ a small fruit. People used this fruit for food and to produce oil for their lamps. ‘Olive trees’ are the trees that yield this fruit.
righteous ~ good, holy.
holy ~ something or someone that is special for God.
Christ ~ the Greek word for Messiah, that is, Jesus.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king who would come to rescue them; the Christ (that is, Jesus).

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
vision ~ picture in the mind; a wonderful sight that God has given.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
covenant ~ agreement between God and a person or people.
kingdom ~ people or area which a king rules.
Saviour ~ Jesus, who rescues people from sin.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.
Zion ~ Jerusalem.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.
mercy ~ kindness, the love that God shows when he forgives.
glory ~ great beauty and honour. Only God (or Christ) has perfect glory.
Christ ~ the Greek word for Messiah, that is, Jesus.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king who would come to rescue them; the Christ (that is, Jesus).

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
amen ~ a word at the end of a prayer. It shows agreement.
judge ~ to act as a judge; to accuse other people; to pretend to be a judge.
glory ~ great beauty and honour. Only God (or Christ) has perfect glory.
Christ ~ the Greek word for Messiah, that is, Jesus.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king who would come to rescue them; the Christ (that is, Jesus).

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.