Introduction: Romans 9-11 focuses on God’s relationship with Israel. One way of understanding this is to identify Israel’s past, present, and future. Each chapter provides an answer to an underlining question:

• Chapter 9: Has God failed us? (Past)

• Chapter 10: How can we be saved? (Present)

• Chapter 11: Has God rejected us? (Future)

 

How does Romans 9-11 answer these questions?

• Chapter 9: No, God sovereignly chose/elected Israel to renew the world

• Chapter 10: Christ alone can save Israel

• Chapter 11: No, there’s hope for Israel

 

While the focus of Romans 9-11 is Israel it’s important to note that each theme applies to us today:

• Chapter 9: God has not failed us; He has sovereignly chosen/elected us to renew the world

• Chapter 10: We can be saved by faith alone in Christ alone

• Chapter 11: God has not rejected us; there’s hope for us (the Church)

 

In Romans 11, God’s elected/chosen people were feeling spurned and excluded from God’s love. They (the majority have not come to faith) were not part of this new spiritual community established by Christ himself. “Has God rejected us?”

 

What’s Paul’s answer? There’s hope for God’s people. In short, there’s a present hope for the remnant (11:1-10) and a future hope for reconciliation (11:11-32). Paul then concludes his three chapters of God’s relationship with Israel with a majestic praise (11:33-36).

 

A Present Hope: Remnant (11:1-10)

11:1-6: The present hope for the remnant has both positive (11:1-6) and negative (11:7-10) elements. In this section, Paul identifies four positive elements. First, Paul himself was as Israelite (from the tribe of Benjamin) (11:1; Philippians 3:5-6). If God could save Paul, a persecutor of God’s people (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:9), then He could save anyone!

 

Second, God has already foreknew His people before the creation of the world (11:2; cf. 8:29-30). This foreknowledge includes the idea of a relationship. God knew us before the world began. Third, drawing from the story of Elijah (1 Kings 19:10-18), Paul points out that God has saved and sustained a faithful remnant of people who worship, serve, and follow Him (11:2-4).

 

Fourth, God’s remnant has been “chosen by grace” (11:5) and not “on the basis of works.” (11:6). So, while the majority of Jews have rejected Jesus as the Messiah and Savior, the existence of a remnant of God’s people provides a present hope of the nation of Israel.

 

11:7-10: But just as there are positive elements, there are also negative ones as well. Although they were “seeking” God (by observing the law), they “failed to obtain” this relationship of grace (11:7). Paul highlights their “hardened” hearts as the key reason for their rejection (11:7; cf. the Pharaoh: 9:17-18).

 

As noted in chapter nine, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart in response to his wickedness thereby intensifying the callousness of his heart even more. In the same way, God has given them/us over to their/our sinful passions thereby hardening their/our hearts (1:18-32). Apart from the gospel and work of the Spirit, they/we will continue to be slaves of sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:20-21).

 

Romans 11:8 (a quotation from Isaiah 29:10) elaborates on the spiritual hardening of our hearts. A “spirit of stupor” refers to a spiritual dullness, drowsiness, or insensitivity. We have become spiritually blind (eyes that would not see) and spiritually deaf (ears that would not hear) to the things of God.

 

Romans 11:9-10 is a reference to Psalm 69:22-23, where David’s enemies are promised judgment for betraying him. Perhaps there’s some spiritual irony at work here. A table was a place for community and fellowship, but here it represents judgment (snare, trap, stumbling block, retribution). Israel/we “cannot see” (spiritually blind) and will have to “bend [their/our] backs forever” (heavy burdens that are oppressive and harsh).

 

A Future Hope: Reconciliation (11:11-33)

11:11-12: While Paul’s letter is written to the church in Rome that included both Jews and Gentiles, the verses in this section (11:11-24) seem to address the Gentile Christians. He wanted them to know God’s plan for dealing with Israel and how they should treat them.

 

So, what of Israel’s future? It’s a future of hope. Paul begins by explaining that their present spiritual condition of a hardened heart was for a purpose. Yes, God is sovereignly in control of Israel and He has a plan: a future hope of reconciliation.

 

Paul outlines God’s sovereign process: (1) Israel’s hardened heart leads to salvation for the Gentiles (11:11). (2) The salvation of the Gentiles makes Israel jealous of the former’s spiritual blessings (11:11). (3) Israel’s future salvation will bring about an even greater blessing for the world (11:12). Throughout Romans 11, Paul will repeat this process (or something very similar) four times!

 

11:13-16: God has called Paul to the be an Apostle to the Gentiles (11:13; cf. Acts 9:15-16; Ephesians 3:1-12). Due to this calling, his ministry was inevitably tied to God’s sovereign plan for Israel (11:11-12). Thus, his ministry included the same three components highlighted in 11:11-12. (1) Paul brought the gospel and salvation to the Gentiles.

 

(2) Paul’s ministry would make his “fellow Jews jealous” (11:14) and bring about the “reconciliation of the world” (11:15). The phrase “reconciliation of the world” refers to the Gentiles becoming part of God’s people (9:24-29; cf. Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:1-12). God has chosen/elected Israel (OT) and the Church (NT) in Christ. When we place our faith in Christ, we become part of this chosen/elected spiritual community.

 

(3) Israel’s “acceptance” of the gospel leads to a “life from the dead.” (11:15) While commentators have expressed different interpretations of this phrase perhaps its best to see this as a reference to Israel’s future reconciliation to God which in turn coincides with an outpouring of people coming to faith.

 

Paul then employs two metaphors to explain Israel’s future reconciliation (dough, branches/olive shoot; the latter further elaborated in 11:17-24). Hugh explains the meaning of dough (for offerings and sacrifices): “In that offering the priest took some of the dough from the larger lump and offered it to God. Paul reasoned that if the lump offered to god was acceptable, the rest would naturally be as well.” (191) In other words, while Israel was presently experiencing a hardened (spiritual) heart, they will eventually return to God. Israel has a future hope of reconciliation.

 

11:17-24: The focus of these verses is the interpretation of the olive shoot (Gentiles) and branches (Israel). Paul makes five observations. First, Gentiles (olive shoot) “were grafted in” to the olive tree (God’s people). Again, this is a reference to the Gentiles becoming part of God’s people. Second, both Jewish and Gentile believers “share in the nourishing root” (root probably refers to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the foundation of the Old Testament promises made to Israel).

 

Third, Gentiles should not be “arrogant toward the branches [Israel],” (11:18) but “stand fast through faith” and “fear” God (11:20). Fourth, Gentiles should remember God’s kindness (salvation) and severity (hardening of heart) (11:21-22). God’s severity should not be interpreted as losing one’s salvation. Rather, it’s a warning for Christians to repent of their sins and not give in to their hardening of their hearts.

 

Fifth, Israel (natural branches) will “be grafted back into their own tree.” (11:24) They will return to God. There’s hope for a future reconciliation! There will come a time (in the future) when many Jews will place their faith in Christ alone for their salvation. God is great!

 

11:25-27: Throughout chapter eleven, Paul has been teaching us about the future of Israel in His plan of salvation. A “mystery” is something that was hidden previously, but now has been revealed (e.g., God sovereignly choosing/electing Gentiles in Christ). In this context, the mystery concerns “a partial hardening” of Israel’s heart “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come.” (11:25)

 

“The fullness of the Gentiles” refers to “the full number of Gentiles” God has elected/chosen in Christ. So, whenever the total amount of Gentiles has come to faith, then “all Israel will be saved.” (11:25) This does not mean that all Jews will become followers of Christ, but rather, that many Jews—a substantial amount will come to faith.

 

Regarding the timing of these two events (fullness of Gentiles, all Israel saved), it depends on one’s view of the future. If you believe in a millennial reign of Christ on earth, then you would probably believe that these events occur during the millennial. If you don’t believe in a literal reign of Christ on earth (amillennial), then you would probably believe that they will occur toward the end of this church age.

 

Paul further explains Israel’s future spiritual condition in 11:26-27 (citing Isaiah 59:20-21; 27:9). These verses prophesize about a future Deliverer (Jesus) from Zion (Jerusalem), who will take away (banish) the sin (ungodliness) from Jacob (representing the nation of Israel) (11:26).

 

This new covenant will not be based on the law and good works, but based on grace and faith. Most likely, this covenant is referring to Jeremiah 31:31-34: God made a promise to His people: God would “put [His] law in their minds and write it on their hearts” (31:33) and “forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (31:34).”

 

11:28-32: On the one hand, the Jews are “enemies” of the gospel because they have rejected Jesus (the Messiah) and the gospel. But, on the other hand, “they are beloved” because of their forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, God’s promises made to Israel) (11:28). God’s choosing/electing the nation of Israel (gifts, calling) in Christ has been secure and irrevocable (unchanging, permanent) (11:29). Because God’s promises are irrevocable, we can trust in their eventual outcome and fulfillment.

 

Even though they were disobedient, the Gentiles have now received mercy (11:30). Likewise, Israel is presently disobedient, but they too, will be shown mercy in the future (11:31). Romans 11:32 is not teaching universalism (God will show mercy to all and therefore everyone will be saved). Rather, God will have mercy on “all” in the sense that numerous Jews and Gentiles will have come to faith in Christ (11:31).

 

Majestic Praise (11:33-36)

11:33-36: After writing about God’s relationship with Israel (past: chosen/elected; present: spiritual hardening; future: many reconciled), Paul is overwhelmed with uncontrollable passion and breaks out with majestic praise. Paul shares three reasons for praising God.

 

First, God’s “wisdom and knowledge” are spiritually extravagant (depth of the riches) and His “judgments and ways” are infinite (unsearchable) (11:33). No one can fathom “the mind of the Lord” or provide Him with counsel because God’s understanding has no limitations or shortcomings (11:34).

 

Second, God is the creator and owns everything (Psalm 24:1). When someone gives us a gift (birthday, Christmas, anniversary, graduation, etc.) we may naturally feel like we need to “repay” them in kindness. God, however, doesn’t feel the need to “return the favor” because a “gift to him” is not really a gift because everything is His.

 

Third, God sustains everything! Everything—all animals and all of creation—everything that lives owes their existence to God’s sovereign power and infinite knowledge and wisdom (11:36). When all is said and done, Paul can only conclude that God alone deserves majestic praise—“to him be glory forever. Amen.” (11:36)

 

1. Has God rejected the nation of Israel? Explain (11:1-6)

 

2. How does Romans 11:7-10 teach the “hardening” or “callousness” of Israel’s heart? How does this truth apply to us today?

 

3. What is God’s plan to make the nation of Israel “jealous?” (11:11-15) What’s our role? In other words, how do we encourage this kind of spiritual jealousy?

 

4. Read Romans 11:16-24. God’s rejection of Israel is only temporary. Explain Paul’s illustration of dough with sacrifices and offering and the olive tree.

 

5. How has God’s temporary rejection of Israel become a blessing for us? (Consider Paul’s use of wild branches being grafted in to the olive tree.)

 

6. What is the future of Israel? (11:25-32) What does it mean that “all Israel will be saved?” (11:26) When do you think this will happen?

 

7. Read Romans 11:33-36. Paul ends this chapter (and the culmination of chapters 9-11) praising and exalting God. In short, God’s plan of salvation from the Old to the New Testament, from the Nation of Israel to the Gentiles produces a passion for worship.

 

Take some time this week to praise God for His plan of salvation, for sending Jesus to save us, for the gospel (at home, while driving, on walks, while cooking, at work, during studying, as you exercise). Make a decision to become a passionate worshiper of God when you gather in your small groups and for corporate worship this week.