Romans 11:6-10 (WEL) If by grace, then [it is] no longer by works, or else grace is no longer grace. But if [it is] by works, then it is no longer grace, or else work is no longer work. 7 What then? Israel hasn’t discovered what he was looking for, but those chosen did discover it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written, “God has given them spiritual dullness; eyes to see [that] don’t [see] and ears to hear [that] don’t [hear].” [Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 6:9, Isaiah 29:10, Ezekiel 12:2] 9 Even David says, “Let their table become a snare, a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a just payback to them. 10 “Let their eyes be darkened, so they cannot see, and their backs bent over always.” [Psalm 69:22-23]
V6 If by grace, then [it is] no longer by works, or else grace is no longer grace. But if [it is] by works, then it is no longer grace, or else work is no longer work.
Grace is receiving something we do not deserve (Ezra 9:8, Galatians 1:6 (saving grace), and Ephesians 4:7 (grace for service)). The believing remnant of ethnic Israelis are believers by God’s grace, not by obeying Mosaic Law. Grace and law are two different things. Law requires our actions and duties perfectly, without sin in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. Grace requires believing faith in God, just like Abraham did (Genesis 15:6). God’s requirement and condition to be delivered from His wrath and to give spiritual blessings is faith, believing God. Abraham had believed God’s message enough earlier that he left his family and the area where he lived (Genesis 12:1-4). Grace plus works is also a false Gospel. There are no works we do after believing that confer grace.
V7 What then? Israel hasn’t discovered what he was looking for, but those chosen did discover it, and the rest were blinded.
The majority of Jews didn’t receive what they wanted and desired because they didn’t understand or were not willing to believe God like Abraham did. When Paul writes “chosen,” it doesn’t mean God chose a few to be in heaven and the majority to be in hell. That view is blasphemy. The chosen are those who met God’s conditions for salvation after He opened their eyes and hearts, freeing their will so they could believe and did. See Acts 16:14, Acts 2:37, and 1 Thessalonians 1:5. If one accepts, all is well. If one rejects, then eventually God will not convict anymore (blinded), and the person is doomed. See John 12:40.
V8 Just as it is written, “God has given them spiritual dullness; eyes to see [that] don’t [see] and ears to hear [that] don’t [hear].” [Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 6:9, Isaiah 29:10, Ezekiel 12:2]
The reason for God to give dullness of heart (will) and eyes and ears closed (no knowing or understanding) is for punishment. This happened to the Jews because they refused to believe God. Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus alone for both Jew and Gentile. The quote is from Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 12:10.
V9 Even David says, “Let their table become a snare, a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a just payback to them.
Table refers to God’s blessings as in Psalm 23:5. So instead of blessings, they receive snares, traps, and stumbling-blocks. They are unable to remove and free themselves. It is punishment.
V10 “Let their eyes be darkened, so they cannot see, and their backs bent over always.” [Psalm 69:22-23]
The idea of punishment is continued. God can and does open eyes to understand, and He can close them as punishment.
We learn:
- Rejection of believing God has eternal consequences.
- God punishes sin with allowing them to sin even more.
- There are no eternal blessings for rejectors.
Questions:
- Have you believed?
- Are you praying and witnessing to others?