Romans 9 - Introduction

IX.

There is a distinct break in the Epistle at this point. The subject of the preceding Chapter s, the development of the gospel scheme, has been worked up to a climax. We might imagine that at the end of chapter 8 the Epistle was laid aside, and the Apostle now begins upon a new topic, in the discussion of which, however, he still retains the same vein of deep emotion that had characterised his latest utterances. This new topic is the relation of the Christian system just expounded to the chosen people. And here, after a few opening words of patriotic sympathy (Romans 9:1), the Apostle discusses: (1) the justice of their rejection (Romans 9:6); (2) its causes (Romans 9:30 to Romans 10:21); (3) its compensations and qualifications (Romans 11:1); with a closing doxology (Romans 11:33). The section including these three Chapter s is complete and rounded in itself.