Romans 9 in Context (2) Because of the abundant use of ‘proof-texts’ from this part of Romans to justify completely contrary positions, it might be helpful to begin with a summary of Paul’s argument in chapter 9. He begins by confessing that Jewish unbelief causes him anguish of heart (9:1-3) and perplexity of mind as
Israel’s Privileges Don’t Match Her Plight I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of
Israel’s Unique Privileges For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
Some Jews Have Joined Spiritual Israel From Within Physical Israel It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Romans 9:6 9:6-13 answers the obvious question: ‘has God’s promise failed?’ At first sight it looks like God’s promise to Israel has failed (literally: fallen). He
God’s Choice of Isaac Over Ishmael and Jacob Over Esau It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other
Salvation is Always Based on God’s Mercy What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s
God as the Potter Has the Right Over the Clay One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me
God Shows Himself as He Really Is What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance
God Foretold in Scripture the Inclusion of Gentiles As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are
God Foretold in Scripture the Exclusion of Some Jews Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.” It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord
