November 19, 2020
The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome. The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.
The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.
The principal theme of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.
While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man’s sin and God’s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer’s salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, God’s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one’s liberty in Christ.
It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500’s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.
Romans 11
The Remnant of Israel
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 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? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 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.”
9 And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever.”
Gentiles Grafted In
11 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. 12 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!
13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 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, 18 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. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation
25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
27 “and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- Has God rejected his people Israel (vv. 1-2)? Paul tells us that God has not rejected Israel at first, but then he says that their reconciliation was a means of reconciling the world (v. 15). What does Paul mean by “rejection?”
- Reflect on the various ways God has worked through the Jewish people down through the ages to open the blessings of the promise to the Gentiles.
- If Gentiles are the branches grafted into the nourishing root, what attitude should Gentiles never have towards the Jewish people (v. 18)?
- God has not rejected the Jewish people by forbidding them from participating in the promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ the Messiah. However, it means that they must place their faith in Jesus the same way everyone else in the world must do. There will be a special move of God some day in the future when the Jewish people will turn to faith in Jesus in great numbers (vv. 26).
Prayer: I praise you Lord for your wonderful plans and how you bring about your will in this world. Thank you for your beautiful plan of redemption to bring the Messiah from the Jewish people as the savior of the world. Thank you for making yourself known to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father.
Thank you for loving me and saving me from my sins. I know you have plans for me and our world and I trust you to bring them about in due time. I lean on you every day for guidance in all I do. I know you want to prosper me and give me hope and a future. Please give me patience to wait on you. In Jesus ‘ most precious and holy name I pray. Amen.
Good & timely message!
Thank you!
Susan Key
AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!!! I LOVED THE MESSAGE I READ TODAY. PRAISE GOD AND OUR SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS. I PRAY IN JESUS NAME,AMEN
Gracias padre por rescatarme gracias por tu amor inmenso gracias porque eres misericordioso y sobretodo mi padre celestial que me ha transformado mi vida me has sanado y toda mi fortaleza y fe está en ti sin ti no somos nada mi Dios amado ayúdame a ser luz en el mundo y sal en la tierra para que otros puedan conocerte y ver tus bendiciones y tu misericordia gracias mi padre amado por toda tu bondad en nombre de tu hijo amado Jesús amén y amén ?
Heavenly Father,
I bow in prayer today, thanking you for another day. Fill me with your spirit today and use me to show others the love Jesus has for them.
There are so many hurting, crying out to you, Father. You hear each cry. Comfort, heal, provide, guide as only you can.
LORD, fill Christ-followers with your Holy Spirit. Empower your church to be your church here on earth. In all we do this day, may we mirror your love, compassion and the willingness of your son to lay down his life for others.
Open our eyes to see the lost, the hurting. May each of us lift up a wanderer in our lives today and to earnestly pray for their salvation. Oh Father, hear and answer of pleas.
Now, as the sun rises, let’s be going to find one more lost soul for your precious son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
What an amazing plan! Choosing the people of Israel, rescuing them, blessing them, allowing them reject him so that he could show his unconditional love and grace to us. Thank you Lord for your free gift of grace, that I get to choose, as you have chosen me. Help me support others and work through me to reveal yourself to another person today. In Jesus’ name.
To Him be glory forever. Amen.