Romans 11

Respond to this: Christianity is exclusionary.

Romans 11:1-10 ✝ How does Paul answer the question: “Did God reject his people?” ✝ God did not reject his people even though they rejected him. Paul explains: God did not reject the elect from the nation of Israel.

Romans 11:1-10 ✝ How does the situation in Paul’s day (and in any day, for that matter) parallel the situation in Elijah’s day? ✝ At one point in his ministry, Elijah thought he was the only believer left in Israel. God assured him that he (God) had kept seven thousand Israelites from worshiping Baal. Although most Israelites reject God, God still keeps his “seven thousand” from falling away and leads them to faith in Christ.

Romans 11:1-10 ✝ What does Paul mean by saying that Israel sought God’s salvation so earnestly? ✝ People like the Pharisees tried hard to keep God’s law in order to find peace with God. But their seriousness about the law actually kept them from obtaining God’s grace and favor.

Romans 11:1-10 ✝ What does Paul say God did to those who continued to reject God? ✝ God hardened their hearts so they could not come to faith. Paul is leading up to the main point he wants to make, that just as God hardened Pharaoh so that his name would be proclaimed throughout the world (because of the plagues), God also hardened some of the Jews so that his name would be spread throughout the world and the gospel would be given to the Gentiles.

Recap of Romans 11:1-10 ✝ God did not reject his people, the Israelites. He still had a group of elect whom he would bring to faith (as he did with Paul). He hardened the hearts of Israelites who rejected him.

Ingrafted Branches

Romans 11:11-24 ✝ What does Paul mean when he says he makes much of his ministry to the Gentiles? How will Paul’s making much of his ministry to the Gentiles help the Jews? (verses ) ✝ This is key to understanding this section. Paul rejoices in God’s gift to him of being able to preach to the Gentiles. He holds up this privilege to the Jews and, in effect, says, “Look what you had. But you lost it because you rejected it. Now God is giving the gospel to the Gentiles.” Paul knows that when he does this, the elect among the Jews will take notice, think about what he is saying, and come to faith. His work among the Gentiles, therefore, has a specific goal directed to the eternal welfare of the Jews.

Romans 11:11-24 ✝ Who are the natural olive branches? Who are the wild olive branches? ✝ The natural branches are the children of Abraham. The wild branches are the Gentiles. ✝ What error does Paul anticipate the Gentiles might fall into when they hear him say the natural branches were broken off and they, the Gentiles, were grafted in? ✝ They might become proud, thinking they, the Gentiles, were better than the Jews.

Romans 11:11-24 ✝ What would rob the Gentiles (that’s us) of the place they have received in God’s kingdom? ✝ Pride would lead Gentiles into the same sin of unbelief that led the Jews to harden themselves against God and lose out on their salvation. ✝ What would restore a Jewish person to membership in God’s New Testament kingdom? ✝ Repentance and faith in Christ as the Savior.

Recap of Romans 11:11-24 ✝ Paul explained the relationship of the Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation.

Romans 11:25-36 ✝ Read Which of these three is correct? ☧ “All Israel” refers to all with Jewish DNA. ☧ “All Israel” refers to the Holy Christian Church. ☧ “All Israel refers to all the elect among those who Jewish DNA. Cf. Romans 9:27; 11:13-14 Cf. Romans 9:6; Galatians 6:15-16; Isaiah 59:20 Consider: “hardening in part” Explain why!

Romans 11:25-36 ✝ In verses 28-32, Paul gets to the heart of how God brought his elect from among both Jews and Gentiles to faith. Trace Paul’s reasoning to understand this beautiful and wise plan. ✝ The Jews, who had hardened themselves against God’s promises for centuries, are now hardened by God “in part” and are enemies of the gospel. God hardened them on account of the Gentiles, so the gospel could be preached to them. But because of his promises to Abraham and the other patriarchs, God has maintained among the Jews a remnant, a group of elect people, whom he will bring to faith. (continue next slide)

Romans 11:25-36 ✝ The Gentiles, whose former disobedience (idolatry, sins of the flesh, etc.) is beyond doubt, have now received the privilege of hearing the gospel because God took it away form the Jewish nation. What is more, it has now become clear that the Jews are no better than the Gentiles. By being made aware of their own disobedience, the Jews will be open to hearing about God’s grace, which they can now hear from the mouths of the Gentiles. This all happened because only when people realize their natural disobedience will they experience the terrors of conscience and appreciate and believe the gospel.

Romans 11:25-36 ✝ How does Paul conclude this entire section? (verses 33-36) ✝ He sings a hymn to God, praising his wisdom, his love, and his mercy. ✝ What does this doxology teach us about God? ✝ He is beyond our understanding, we can not repay him.

Recap of Romans 11:25-36 ✝ Paul concluded this section with insights into how God sees to it that his elect are saved. He praised God for his wisdom and love.