ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:1 The majority of Israel failed to believe. Does this mean that God has REJECTED HIS PEOPLE? Paul presents himself as an example of the remnant that has been preserved. This remnant shows that God is not finished with Israel. He will fulfill his promises to his people. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:2 FOREKNEW. See note on 8:29. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:3 God assured Elijah that he had preserved a REMNANT who still followed him (1 Kings 19:18). As in Paul’s day and today, a remnant of Jews believe in Christ because of God’s electing grace (see Romans 9:27). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (v [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:7 Paul links Isaiah 29:10 and Deuteronomy 29:4 to clarify that God has HARDENED Israel so that they would not see or hear. Paul then prays for judgment (Psalms 69:22) upon the Jews of his day who have rejected Christ. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:11 God’s saving righteousness is seen in the salvation of Israel at the end of history, and in his saving plan for both Jews and Gentiles. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:12 WORLD means GENTILES here. Paul argues from the lesser to the greater. If Israel’s sin brought salvation to the Gentiles, then the blessing will be even greater when all Israel is saved (see v. Romans 11:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for ... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:15 If the REJECTION of the majority of Israel has meant that many Gentiles (THE WORLD) have been reconciled to God through Christ, then surely the ACCEPTANCE of the Jews—their future coming to Christ in large numbers—will bring about the final resurrection (LIFE FROM THE DEA... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:16 Two illustrations teach the same truth. The FIRSTFRUITS and the ROOT probably refer to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and the saving promises given to them. If the firstfruits and root are dedicated to God, so too are the WHOLE LUMP (of DOUGH) and THE BRANCHES... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:17 The people of God are portrayed here as an OLIVE TREE (see Jeremiah 11:16; Hosea 14:6). When Paul says SOME branches were removed, he probably has in mind the majority of the Jews of his day. Gentiles are the WILD shoots grafted into the olive tree that now share in the R... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:18 Gentile believers are warned against arrogance toward the Jews who were removed (v. Romans 11:17). It is God’s saving promises (THE ROOT), not their own goodness, that saved them. This should provoke FEAR and awe, not pride. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagNa... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:21 Whether Jew or Gentile, God will not SPARE anyone who does not continue to believe. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:22 The Gentile readers must contemplate both God’s KINDNESS and his SEVERITY toward them and the Jews who have not believed. They must continue in faith. Otherwise, they too will be judged as unbelievers. Paul argues from the lesser to the greater. If God GRAFTED Gentiles, w... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:25 MYSTERY in this case is something previously hidden that is now revealed. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:26 IN THIS WAY ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED. It seems most likely that this salvation of the Jewish people is in the future. This interpretation fits with the promises of God’s future work in vv. Romans 11:12 and Romans 11:15, and the future salvation of ethnic Israel at the end... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:28 FOR YOUR SAKE. Israel’s unbelief has benefited the Gentiles. This is the period of history in which Gentiles are being saved, while most of Israel remains in unbelief. But God’s promise to THEIR FOREFATHERS Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be fulfilled in the future. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:29 Israel will be saved because God always keeps his promises. As used here, GIFTS means the unique blessings given to Israel which Paul mentioned at the beginning of this long section (Romans 9:4). CALLING refers here to calling to salvation (see Romans 8:30; Romans 9:11, R... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:30 God saved the Gentiles when one would have expected only the Jews to be saved. In the future he will amaze all by saving the Jews. It will be clear that everyone’s salvation is by MERCY alone (see note on 9:14–16). The final NOW in the text means that the promise of Jewis... [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:32 The word ALL here refers to Jews and Gentiles. God’s mercy is available to all, but not all will accept it. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 11:34 Paul quotes Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11 to highlight that all good things are gifts from God (1 Corinthians 4:7). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]