Constable’s summary of Chapter 9:
“In chapters 9-11, the apostle defended the righteousness of God in His dealings with Israel. Having explained how God justifies sinners, Paul now found it necessary to justify God Himself, to prove and declare Him righteous. The theological term that describes a vindication of God is theodicy. The apostle to the Gentiles proceeded to show that God had not removed His love from the Jews. Nothing had separated them from His love. God’s present dealings with Israel do not indicate that He has abandoned them but need viewing in the light of His future plans for the nation. In the future, God will glorify Israel.”
“In chapter 9, Paul dealt primarily with God’s dealings with Israel in the past, in chapter 10 with their present situation, and in chapter 11 with His future plans for the nation.”
Paul’s Desire For All Israel To Be Saved
Romans 1:15 (WEL) I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie. My conscience is also giving witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish for myself to be cursed from Christ for my brethren according to the flesh, 4 Who are Israelites, to whom [belongs] the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the [Temple] service, and the promises. 5 The fathers [are] of them and from whom, concerning the flesh, Christ [came] who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Romans chapters 9-11 refer to ethnic Israel by interpreting the Bible in its plain, normal sense.
Also, some links:
https://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/documents/articles/24/24.htm?x=x
(note the article from Ariel costs $5)
From Precept Austin:
Summary of Romans 9-11
Romans 9
- Past
- Election
- God’s Sovereignty
- Israel’s Election by God
Romans 10
- Present
- Rejection
- Man’s responsibility
- Israel’s Rejection of God
Romans 11
- Future
- Reception
- God’s Ways Higher
- God Not Rejecting Israel
From the Welcome Study Bible:
Chapters 9, 10, and 11 are a parenthesis explaining the purpose and place of Israel. Israel is a chosen/elect nation. Some questions answered: are there any special blessings for the nation of Israel? What is God’s plan for Israel? Did Israel’s failure cause Israel to be unelected by God? Did God’s promises for Israel fail? Why did God choose Jacob instead of Esau? Can anyone resist God’s will? Why didn’t Israel believe? How does one obtain righteousness? Is there a difference between righteousness by the Law and righteousness by faith? Why are Gentiles considered righteous without obeying the Law? Is there any hope for Israel, or are they rejected? How is a Jew saved? How can people be aware of the Gospel? The nation of Israel has failed in so many ways; will they be restored? Can believing Gentiles fail the faith? Plus, other questions.
V1 I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie. My conscience is also giving witness in the Holy Spirit…
What Paul is writing is the truth. This is the truth Paul believes.
V2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
This is an emotion and desire that Paul continually has. The Greek word for heaviness is (G3077) λύπη lýpē, which means the sorrow of one mourning for their loved one. The other word for sorrow is (G3601) ὀδύνη odýnē, which means a sorrow from pain. The combination reveals the pain of suffering plus the pain of loss.
V3 For I could wish for myself to be cursed from Christ for my brethren according to the flesh…
He does not want to go to hell, but shows the intensity of his desire for Israel (Hebrews as in DNA Jews) to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
V4 …Who are Israelites, to whom [belongs] the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the [Temple] service, and the promises.
Israel, at the time Paul wrote, were defined as that nation and people who had the adoption (1 Chronicles 17:22 and Genesis 15:6 (believing, God regarded him to be saved and adopted), glory (all the blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and his 12 sons as in Deuteronomy 38:1-13), covenants (Abrahamic (Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 6-7; Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15; Genesis 17:1-14; Genesis 22:15-18), Palestinian (Deuteronomy 30:1-10), Mosaic (Deuteronomy 11), and Davidic (2 Samuel 7:8-16)), giving of the Law (Exodus 20), Temple Service (Leviticus), and promises (all the OT promises to Israel or Israel and the world are over 7,700 by some counts). I think Israel means Israel is the only interpretation.
V5 The fathers [are] of them and from whom, concerning the flesh, Christ [came] who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
The Fathers are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the 12 sons of Jacob. In fleshly descent, Jesus is a Jew. I understand this to refer to Jesus Christ as God. Not all agree with that.
We learn:
- Paul desires his kinsfolk, Israelites, to be saved as he is.
- Israel means Israel.
Questions:
- Do you interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense?
- Do you accept that Romans 9-11 concerns Israel, not Gentiles?