Romans 9-11 Explained

[mikesw]

I shared the outline of Romans 9 to 11 in an earlier post. Outlines can be a bit sparse and odd to read. Here is an explanation written out.

I wish I had Rom 9-11 written out in more detail. The purpose of that was to show God's faithfulness to his promises. This was by showing that the real Israel was narrowed down to those of the promise, as we see in Rom 9:6-13. Then vv14-26 stave off some rhetorical opposition to God's reduction of those who benefit. In vv 27-29, Paul shows that only the remnant were to remain, as found in Isa 10:20-22; it mattered no more whether a diaspora of those without the promise existed. Rom 10 demonstrates further that God had not excluded Jews from hearing the gospel; he sent out people to preach among them, but most did not receive the report.

In Rom 11:1-2, Paul even argues against the idea that all Jews lost their chance to be justified. He reminded the reader he is a Jew and the audience was willing to hear his letter. The chapter continues with the realization the argument that though God gave them eyes not to see (in the broad numbers), their failure to come was the opportunity for gentiles to respond so that jealousy would be an added factor (as per Rom 10:19 and 11:14). Verse 14 shows he hoped at least some would respond in sufficient time. It was only natural that Jews should be grafted back in (vv 17-24).

This argument completes by saying that these events and interactions indeed led to all Israel being saved (vv 25-27). The faithfulness of God is achieved because the remnant in Christ remained. This was how Paul finalized the argument to show, against the sad apparent state of the people, that God has fulfilled his promises and thus is proven to have been faithful.

 

[mikesw]

Most commentaries regarding Romans 9 to 11 miss how the three chapters form one argument regarding the faithfulness of God to his promises by having saved all Israel (but was expressed as the result of contemporary circumstances when written). My impression from memory is that Rom 9 is usually just seen as all Christians coming merely due to promise. Then Rom 10 is seen as the way Jews failed to respond rather than about the positive action of God reaching out to them (and thus evidence that God has not rejected them). For Rom 11, some say the text conveys God's sovereignty for who gets saved. Wright seems to say Paul roughly is saying the privileges of Israel are conveyed upon the church now. My note on that suggests Wright is trying to walk a fine line in this point.

 

[atpollard]

Most commentaries regarding Romans 9 to 11 miss how the three chapters form one argument regarding the faithfulness of God to his promises by having saved all Israel (but was expressed as the result of contemporary circumstances when written).

I am unqualified to speak to “most commentaries”, however, I am personally fond of “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown”. David Brown breaks down Romans 9-11 with overarching subheadings that define the structure as follows:

CHAPTER 9​

Rom 9:1-33. THE BEARING OF THE FOREGOING TRUTHS UPON THE CONDITION AND DESTINY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE--ELECTION--THE CALLING OF THE GENTILES.

CHAPTER 10​

Rom 10:1-21. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED--HOW ISRAEL CAME TO MISS SALVATION, AND THE GENTILES TO FIND IT.

CHAPTER 11​

Rom 11:1-36. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED--THE ULTIMATE INBRINGING OF ALL ISRAEL, TO BE, WITH THE GENTILES, ONE KINGDOM OF GOD ON THE EARTH.

 

[mikesw]

CHAPTER 10
Rom 10:1-21. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED--HOW ISRAEL CAME TO MISS SALVATION, AND THE GENTILES TO FIND IT.

Thanks. That is a bit of confirmation what I found of view on Romans 10. I have quotes from various commentaries and articles sorted in many ways but did not summarize views very much.
I found most of my ideas on Romans independently and then started checking commentaries. My findings are generally unique and are founded based on the letter addressed solely to a gentile audience.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

romans 9 - 11 is Paul answering the Israel question.

It can be found in Verse 6. It is not as though the word of God has not taken affect.

He then answer many questions. being raised by the roman church. or being introduced to them.

questions Like Israel was chosen because their fathers were righteous.. He debunks this

Then we have the fact that it was not even the way we see things. For the birthright was settled in the womb.. and the older served the younger (nations)

Then we have how God questions those who question him, Can God not take something he was building. and when it becomes tainted in his hands, Can he not wipe it out and start over as the potter does the clay

then he goes into how it was prophesied the gentiles would be given grace. and the jew would fall away.

But even then, God keeps a remnant.

But in the end. God will be glorified. as he returns and his special nation repents and comes to him. and he set up his kingdom with all the nations of the world.

Letting us know currently. Israel is hated concerning the gospel. But believed concerning the election. Gods gift are irrevocable.

God gave a git to Abraham Isaac and Jacob. that gift still stands

the fatalistic view of romans 9 is in error

 

[mikesw]

romans 9 - 11 is Paul answering the Israel question.

It can be found in Verse 6. It is not as though the word of God has not taken affect.

He then answer many questions. being raised by the roman church. or being introduced to them.

questions Like Israel was chosen because their fathers were righteous.. He debunks this

Then we have the fact that it was not even the way we see things. For the birthright was settled in the womb.. and the older served the younger (nations)

Then we have how God questions those who question him, Can God not take something he was building. and when it becomes tainted in his hands, Can he not wipe it out and start over as the potter does the clay

then he goes into how it was prophesied the gentiles would be given grace. and the jew would fall away.

But even then, God keeps a remnant.

But in the end. God will be glorified. as he returns and his special nation repents and comes to him. and he set up his kingdom with all the nations of the world.

Letting us know currently. Israel is hated concerning the gospel. But believed concerning the election. Gods gift are irrevocable.

God gave a git to Abraham Isaac and Jacob. that gift still stands

the fatalistic view of romans 9 is in error

This view would not work in the context of the letter of the sort I have unraveled. The gentile believers in Rome had come to think that Jews lost their chance to be justified in Christ. The problems in Rome are so bad it takes Paul eight chapters of addressing the situations burdening the gentiles before Paul can start sharing how God remained faithful to his promises to Israel. Paul hardly would be emphasizing problematic behavior of the Jews. He would not even need to suggest Jews were unrighteous since that was the background view that Paul was overcoming in Romans 9 to 11.