Romans 11:11-32

God has not then, absolutely speaking, rejected His people; but it is perfectly true that He has hardened and rejected a portion of them. Yet there are two restrictions to be noted here: This chastisement is only partial; and, besides, it is only temporary. It is this second idea which is developed in the following passage. It is obvious how far Reuss is mistaken when he calls this second passage, in relation to the former, “a second explanation.” This critic's constant idea is that of contradictory points of view placed in juxtaposition in the apostle's writing. On the contrary, the following passage is the logical complement of the preceding: “And this chastisement, which has fallen on Israel only partially, is itself only for a time.”

This passage includes four sections, having each a distinct subject.

The first, Romans 11:11-15, points out the two ends, the proximate, and the final, of the rejection of the Jews. The proximate end was to facilitate the conversion of the Gentiles, the final end is to restore the Jews themselves by means of the converted Gentiles, and that to bring down at length on the latter the fulness of divine blessing.

The second section, Romans 11:16-24, is intended to put the Gentiles on their guard against the pride with which they might be inspired by the position which is made theirs for the present in the kingdom of God, as well as against contempt of the Jews into which they might be carried.

In the third, Romans 11:25-29, Paul announces positively, as a matter of revelation, the fact of the final conversion of Israel.

Finally, the fourth, Romans 11:30-32, contains a general view of the course of divine work in the accomplishment of salvation.

It is impossible, in a subject so difficult, to imagine a simpler and more logical order.