Romans 9-11
Romans 9-11 is a parenthesis concerning a problem. “What do we do with Jews? Are they saved?”
The emphasis is that God is good (Mark 10:18). When defining “good” we must not read from human sources, which may be very truthful, but from God’s description of Himself as read in the Bible.
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- “Good” is used in Genesis 1 to describe the creation as meeting a standard—the plan God designed (the blueprint).
- God describes Himself to Moses as “abounding in goodness” (Exodus 34:6).
- God describes that lying or changing one’s mind do not refer to “good” (Numbers 23:19).
- Abominable works are described as “not good” (Psalm 14:1).
- Messiah’s message is “Good News” (Isaiah 61:1).
- Good and evil are contrasted (evil equaling breaking God’s Law) in Amos 5:14-15 and Romans 9:11.
- A number of “good” traits that God wants people to have in listed in Micah 6:8.
- Everything Jesus did, “doing good and healing” in Acts 10:38.
- In Romans 2:4, God’s goodness is described as goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, and God’s leading a person to repentance.
- God’s goodness is contrasted with God’s severity (Romans 11:22).
- God’s will is described as “good” in Romans 12:2.
- The deeds we do are to be “good works” (Ephesians 2:10).
- Praying for leaders is described as “good” (1 Timothy 2:3).
- Titus 1:16 teaches us that professing to know God will be known by our “good” life in public and private.
- Finally, in 3 John 1:11-12, there is a contrast with an example given between “good” and “evil.”
- If God is good, then He will not by some “mysterious or secret” will elect/choose/predestinate humans to the Lake of Fire holding them accountable for deeds His decreed.
Romans 9
Romans 9 shows that being Jewish does not allow an automatic entrance into heaven and why. “They didn’t pursue it by faith.” See Romans 9:30-33.
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- Verses 1-5 teach Paul’s hypothetical death wish that all Israel would believe in Jesus.
- Verses 6-13 explain that God is selective who He saves; thus, all Israel is not Israel (Israel in flesh is different than Israel in heart, for those who were believers (Abraham, David, Daniel, Deborah, Huldah, etc. were Israel in heart (John 8:37 and Psalm 73:1)). Then Paul gives an illustration of this principle by the selection of Isaac instead of Ismael, and Jacob instead of Esau. Selection is because God knows the future (prescience and foresight) of everyone’s life. Esau, the person, never was servant to Jacob, but the nation of Esau (Edom) was (2 Samuel 8:14).
- Verses 14-29: God is correct to be selective in whom He chooses. The Scriptures have already taught that faith is the condition, not a mysterious will of God. Compare the verses in Romans: Romans 1:17, Romans 3:22-31, Romans 4:5, Romans 4:13-16, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 9:30-32, Romans 10:8-13, Romans 11:20, and Romans 16:25-27.
- Verses 30-33 teach that ALL Israel did not receive righteousness, like Abraham, because they sought salvation and forgiveness of sins by keeping Mosaic Law.
Romans 10
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- Romans 10 shows how a Jew and what kind of Jew can have salvation. It is by faith. All, whether Jew or Gentile are saved only by faith. Romans 10:9-13.
- Verses 1-13 emphasizes that faith is the condition for salvation.
- Verses 14-21 explain the reason most Jews reject the Gospel (not obeying the Gospel) is because they choose disobedience instead of faith.
Romans 11
Romans 11 shows the promise of God that in the future the entire surviving family of (Israel) Jews will be saved. Some Jews in Paul’s day through today do believe (Romans 11:5).
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- Verses 1-10 God has not totally given up on, deserted, or abandoned Israel, for it is prophesied that in the future ALL Israel will be saved (Isaiah 45:17 and Romans 11:26). Even though, the majority of Jews reject Jesus as Messiah, the time is coming in the future, when all the remaining Jews will believe and be saved. This time is at the close of the final 7 (the 70th week of Daniel 9:) year Tribulation (Romans 11:25-27). God selects those who freely believe in God because God, Himself, initiated salvation.
- Verses 11-36 teach that the unbelief of Israel at present is due to their rejection of the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry. Yet, God has placed Israel on the back burner (not God’s main emphasis having a reduced priority) until the church (all believers from Pentecost to the Rapture) has been completed. God is not finished with Israel. Their promised blessings will come true.