“Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.” -Romans 11:19–20 Paul now issues a more direct warning to the Gentiles against any kind of […]
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The Humility of Grace
“do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.” -Romans 11:18 The root is the heritage the natural branches have in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Gentiles were grafted in and they derive their support from the roots; it’s […]
Grafted in by Faith
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,” -Romans 11:17 Picking up from his second illustration, Paul begins a longer discourse directed primarily at the Gentiles, warning them not to […]
Firstfruits and Tree Roots
“For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.” -Romans 11:15–16 The logic of this passage has been lost on some […]
Toward the Reconciliation of the World
“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the […]
The Riches of Israel’s Full Inclusion
“Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” -Romans 11:12 Using an argument from the lesser, Paul clarifies that he doe not mean that the salvation of the Gentiles depended on the ruin of the Jews. Far […]
Using Evil for Good
“So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” -Romans 11:11 Out of his argument that God has saved his elect and hardened Israel, Paul offers a hopeful revelation: God is not through […]
What Then?
“What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare […]
Grace Not Works!
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” -Romans 11:6 Paul here emphasizes the fact that grace has no part of works. It leaves nothing for it. It is all of God. Since God’s choice is determined by his divine wisdom […]
Chosen By Grace
“God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I […]