Whom He Foreknew

He predestined to the image of His Son

For whom He foreknew,
He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called;
whom He called, these He also justified;
and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 8:29-30

The opening line of this passage does not say ‘certain ones whom He foreknew,’ as if it applied to a limited group of people which God foreknew. It speaks inclusively of the people whom God foreknew, that they were predestined. 

If we assume this is speaking of God’s foreknowledge from eternity past, then logic would demand one of two impossible conclusions. Either God foreknew all people and so all will be saved, or God only foreknew those whom He would save and did not foreknow those whom He would not save. The first conclusion is incorrect because we know all are not saved. The second conclusion is incorrect because God’s knowledge is not limited – He knows both the saved and the unsaved.

An alternate interpretation is that God foreknew who would believe in His Son and so predestined them. The problem here is that the Greek word ‘foreknow’ does not mean knowing facts about a person, but knowing a person with an intimate, relationship type knowledge. So the interpretation that God foreknew which people would believe doesn’t fit the meaning of the Greek word. 

The difficulty in identifying the correct interpretation is that Paul didn’t expound what he meant by ‘foreknew’ anywhere in this epistle. It’s like he expected that believers would be familiar with what he was talking about. As if he thought they had experienced God’s foreknowledge and predestining in their own lives.

In fact, we can show that Paul experienced God’s foreknowledge and predestination in his life. From his experience, we can see that almost every believer has had the same kind of experience as Paul.

Before we turn to Paul’s experience, we’ll need to clarify the meaning of ‘foreknowledge’ and ‘predestine’ so we can identify their occurrence.

Foreknowledge 

Foreknowledge is a compound word in Greek. The prefix simply means beforehand. It does not inherently imply eternity past, but simply references a time earlier than the present time. 

The root word, knowledge, is not factual type knowledge, but experiential-type knowledge. It speaks of something you know by experience. In the context of knowing people, it’s not knowing facts about a person, but knowing the person for who they are. It’s the kind of personal knowledge that comes through a close relationship.

Nathanael used this word for ‘knowledge’ in John 1, when he met Jesus for the first time. You remember that Phillip had invited Nathanael to come meet Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael was skeptical that anything good could come from Nazareth, but went with Phillip anyhow.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”
John 1:47-48

Nathanael’s use of ‘know’ in his question was asking how Jesus knew him so personally when this was the first time they had met. He saw that Jesus was already intimately acquainted with him, and he used this word ‘knowledge’ in reference to Jesus’ intimate knowledge of him.

So combining the prefix with the root gives us a word that simply meant, “having a personal, intimate knowledge before the present time.” 

Paul used the compound Greek word during one of his trials when telling of how his fellow countrymen knew him from beforehand.

“My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. Acts 26:4-5

He said that the Jews foreknew him from the early years of his youth. He obviously wasn’t saying they knew him from ‘eternity past’. He was merely saying that they personally knew him long before the present time, well before he was put on trial.

We’ll come back to Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 because it also shows us what he meant when he spoke of foreknowledge in Romans 8. But before we go there, let’s look at the meaning of predestined because Paul also included that concept in his testimony.

Predestined

Predestined is also a compound word made up of a prefix and a root word. The prefix is the same as with foreknowledge. It simply means beforehand, just as with foreknowledge.

The root means ‘to determine,’ in the sense of determining a boundary. This word was used for many types of boundaries, ranging from literal land boundaries to metaphorical life boundaries. An example of someone determining a metaphorical life boundary would be a person taking a vow, which is when a person promises to perform an action or take up a new habit in life. That person is basically determining a boundary in their life. 

It’s important to recognize that ‘determine’ is different than ‘decree.’ A decree requires people to comply regardless of their willingness. But ‘determine’ was generally used in contexts where the people involved were more or less agreeable to what was determined, even in situations that were determined by God. 

An example is in Acts 2 where Peter said that Jesus’ crucifixion by the Jews was according to God’s determined purpose. 

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; Acts 2:22-23

It’s rather obvious that all parties involved with the crucifixion were agreeable with what God had determined. But notice that the Jews didn’t try to crucify Jesus the first day they met him in the Temple as a 12 year-old boy. They would have several encounters with Jesus before they were of a mind to do what God determined.

I make this point because it illustrates the difference between determine and decree. A decree demands immediate obedience. But God’s determining is different, in that He is willing to patiently wait until the people involved are fully on board with what He has determined.

Thus, ‘determine’ meant setting physical or metaphorical boundaries which defined the sphere of someone’s life. That means the full word, ‘predestine’, meant to determine beforehand, that is, to beforehand define the sphere of someone’s life. 

For the purposes of removing ambiguity, let’s go back to Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 to see God’s foreknowledge and predestining demonstrated in a living example.

Paul’s Experience

Paul testified to king Agrippa about how he had been active in persecuting the followers of Jesus, even pursuing them to cities outside the land of Israel. He told of his journey to Damascus and how he was confronted by a bright light.

At midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Acts 26:13-14 

Notice the last phrase: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” This comment must have shocked Saul. 

A goad is a sharp stick that they used to drive cattle with. If a cow was being stubborn, they would jab it with the goad to get it moving the right direction. 

Evidently, even as Saul zealously hunted down the followers of Jesus, he felt something like a sharp stick inside, prodding him to stop. Probably, no one in Saul’s life would have ever guessed that he experienced internal conflict about persecuting the Lord’s people. But the Lord knew all about it. 

Thus, when Saul first met the Lord, he found the Lord beforehand knew him. 

Isn’t that, by definition, foreknowledge? We could say, ‘the Lord foreknew Saul,’ just like He foreknew Nathanael. 

I think that most believers had a similar experience when they first met the Lord. Having turmoil in their soul, they cried out to God, and found that the Lord knew their hearts and their inner unrest. 

This would explain why Paul might have felt he didn’t need to explain what he meant by ‘foreknew,’ because we all know what it is to experience the burden of inner turmoil, meet the Lord, and find that He beforehand knew us. 

Continuing on with Paul’s testimony, we find he next told king Agrippa how the Lord said He would make Saul a minister and witness of what he had seen, and send him to the Gentiles to turn them from darkness to salvation.

But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:16-18

Do you see what the Lord did there? He pre-determined the sphere of Saul’s life, saying He would send Saul as a witness to the Gentiles.

Now, notice how the Lord’s purpose came about, that Saul didn’t immediately go to the Gentiles.

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26:19-20

Notice that Saul first proclaimed the gospel in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, then in Judea, and finally to the Gentiles. In other words, he didn’t immediately enter the sphere of being a witness to Gentiles. But in the last chapter of Acts, we see him acknowledging that the gospel was going to the Gentiles. 

“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Acts 28:28-29

Thus, he reached a point where he fully turned from the Jews to the Gentiles. And in so doing, he fully entered the sphere of the Lord’s purpose which was determined beforehand, before he was saved.

In the same way, God has a purpose for every believer which He determined beforehand, that is, before they believed. His stated purpose is to transform each believer into the image of His Son. 

Think for a second on what that means. God determined to take sinful, corrupted people whom He knew beforehand and bring them into the sphere of being righteous in the likeness of His Son. It is incredible.

He doesn’t accomplish this by forcing His purpose upon us but works patiently, doing His work as we are willing to enter the sphere He has determined.

Romans 8:29

In summary, ‘Whom God foreknew’ is speaking of that intimate knowledge which God has of a person before they meet Him. He knew our inner turmoil from sin before we met Him. And while we were yet in our sin, He determined He would bring us from our sinfulness into the image of His Son. Having made that determination, He called us.

This Greek word for calling is different than the word in verse 28. This word is an invitation type call and is referring to God’s invitation to repent and believe in His Son. 

So God, knowing the unrest in our hearts, called us to rest in His Son. And when we believed, He justified us. Having justified us, He has glorified us with the glory which Paul wrote about earlier in this chapter. 

…and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:17

God has made us heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. It’s a glory that is greater than that of the angels, who are not heirs but ministers.

Context

In conclusion, let’s place these verses in their context and enjoy the thoughtflow of the passage. I’m going to paraphrase the passage, so feel free to compare with the text to verify that I’m not misrepresenting what Paul wrote. 

Romans 8:23-25. We, who have the Holy Spirit inside us, who are burdened by our sinful flesh, eagerly anticipate the day when we are delivered from all our sinful desires and are brought into the hope of righteousness. It’s a hope we wait for with perseverance.
Romans 8:26-27. We are not alone, but the Spirit helps us and presents our need before God so that He will work according to His will.
Romans 8:28. And we know that God uses all events to produce the good of righteousness in the lives of those who love Him (because He first loved them when they were still sinners), and who embraced His calling to holiness. 
Romans 8:29-30. We know that all things work together for good because God didn’t save us at random. From before we were saved, He knew us and our struggles intimately. Knowing us inside and out, He determined He would make us righteous and good like the Lord Jesus. With this purpose in mind, He invited us to believe in His Son as our savior. When we believed, He declared us righteous and made us His heirs, and joint heirs with His Son.
Romans 8:31-37. Clearly, God is committed to us for good. And if He is for us, who can be against us? 
Romans 8:38-39 This is why Paul was persuaded that nothing could separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28

Those whom God chose according to His purpose.

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 9a

Paul’s sorrow over the state the nation of Israel is currently in.

Called According to His Purpose

not according to our works

And we know
that all things work together for good
to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Intro 

There is a lot of good truth in this passage. But we could miss it if we are sidetracked by a debate over what it means to be ‘the called according to God’s purpose.’ Our strategy to avoid the debate and uncover the good truth will be to examine this verse phrase by phrase.

All things

All things doesn’t mean all objects. Paul wasn’t saying that every imaginable created object, such as potatoes, cigarettes, and brussel sprouts are for good. Some of these things may be for good, but that isn’t the point Paul is making here. 

In this passage, all things means all events and circumstances. Paul was saying that all events and circumstances are for good. Even bad events that happened because of bad choices. 

For example, the first event Abram experienced after he arrived in Canaan was a famine. This does not classify as a good event, but a bad event. However, God intended to use this bad event for good in Abram. With the famine, God could develop faith in Abram so that he would learn to trust God in difficult times. However, Abram chose to flee the famine and go to Egypt. But as he traveled, he became afraid that someone would kill him for his beautiful wife. Instead of trusting God to protect him, he told people she was his sister. As a result, Pharaoh took her to be his wife. 

Losing his wife was a bad event that came because of his bad choices. 

But then God intervened and compelled Pharaoh to give back Abram’s wife. Abram went back to Canaan with his wife and there built an altar to the Lord. He built the altar because he found he could trust God. So God used this series of bad events for the good of developing faith in Abram. 

Abram’s experience illustrates what Paul was saying. All events and circumstances, even bad ones, are used to produce good in those who love God.

For good

All things work together for good is not a promise that all things will turn out well in the end. We do know that all things will turn out well when we arrive in eternity, but Paul was not speaking of that happy event. He was telling us that God uses all things to produce a particular good in those who love God. And verse 29 points to what the good is.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

Notice God’s final destination for believers: they will become like the Lord Jesus. Based on the rule of context, being made like Christ is the good that verse 28 has in view.

In verse 28, Paul was saying that God uses all things to transform the personalities of His people into the likeness of His Son.

Love God

It’s a sad reality that not all believers reach the same level of Christ-likeness in their old age. But it isn’t that God fails to perform His work. It’s that not all believers have loved the Lord equally. Paul stated all things work together for good, but specifically to those who love God. That implies the more we love God, the more He can produce the likeness of His Son in us.

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

According to 1 John, our love for God doesn’t develop through a focused effort to stir up our emotions. Our love towards God develops when we see how He first loved us.

I grew up in a Christian home, so I always knew God loved me. But it wasn’t until the guilt of my sin overcame me that I saw how God truly loved me. Because it was while I felt filthy rotten in my sin that I saw God’s love for me in that He sent His Son to die for my sin. 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Our clearest view of God’s love is in the context of our sin. And when we see God loves us even as corrupt sinners, we cannot help but respond in love towards Him.

People who truly love God are those who remember that the sin in their hearts is utter corruption, and that God loves them even as sinners. For people who love God like this, God is able to use all things to produce the good of Christ-likeness in them. 

The called

Called does not mean called to be saved. The call of salvation is an invitation-type call, such as what we see in verse 29. This Greek word in verse 28 is more about taking up a lifestyle or vocation. Paul was talking about people who were called to a particular kind life.

At first glance, we might assume that the calling is a life of personally striving to become like Christ. But Paul was not saying that we must use every event to produce Christ-likeness in ourselves. He was telling us that God is producing Christ-likeness in certain ones whom He has called to a certain lifestyle. 

Paul referenced the lifestyle in the beginning of Romans where he addressed his epistle to those who are in Rome, called to be saints (Romans 1:3). This calling to be saints is surely the calling Paul was referring to in Romans 8:28.

Now, ‘saints’ simply means, ‘holy ones’. So we could say that God called them to be holy people. 

This may sound like a life of striving to become Christ-like, but there is an important factor to holiness that we should not overlook. It is probably worth our time to pause and refresh our memories with the example God’s call to Israel to be holy. 

Thus, God’s calling to be saints is a calling to live life near Him, in His presence, even though we still sin. Not everyone wants to live near God. But for those who do, God works all things for good. 

His purpose

Called according to His purpose does not mean believers are made holy based on God’s decree from eternity past. It means they did not achieve their calling to be saints through their efforts. In other words, ‘called to be saints according to His purpose’ means these people were brought into a holy life by God’s purpose, not by their efforts. Look at how Paul used this phrase in 2 Timothy 1.

God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel

As believers, we understand that our salvation is not according to our works. But we might not realize that our holy calling is also not according to our works. As with our salvation, we don’t become holy by doing good works. 

Israel’s experience parallels ours. We are made holy, not according to our efforts, but according to the purpose of God which was carried out by Jesus’ obedience.

God sent Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus fulfilled the purpose of God by bearing our sins in His body on the tree, abolishing death and bringing to us life and immortality.

There are many people who try to achieve holiness, that is, nearness to God, through their works. But we cannot draw close to God by our works, for our righteousness is as filthy rags. God brings us near through Jesus’ work. So to those who recognize they are holy by God’s purpose, which was fulfilled by Jesus’ obedience, for them God works all things for good. 

Summary

We know that God uses all events and circumstances for the good of transforming into the likeness of Christ those who love God (who see that God loved them first, even in their sin) and who embraced the calling to be holy saints by God’s purpose which was fulfilled in Christ who abolished death and brought us into the eternal favor of God.

Conclusion

God works all things for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. 

How do we love God? John said that we love God because He first loved us. He demonstrated His love when we were still sinners, in that He sent this Son to die for us. Such love surely will produce love in us. But sometimes, especially when we are doing well, we sort of forget that we are sinners. When we forget we are sinners, we don’t clearly see God’s love. 

To love God, we will need to learn to always acknowledge that sin is in our hearts. Yet God loves us. As we thus see the richness of His love towards us, we will love Him, and He will work all things for good.

How can we be called according to His purpose? God wants us to live life near Him. Do we want to live near Him, or would we prefer independence? To live near God is to live life knowing that we are accepted and approved of by Him, and to live without fear of judgment and knowing we are in His everlasting favor. We cannot achieve these things by our good works. We can only obtain God’s acceptance and approval when we recognize that we have been brought near by His purpose which was accomplished by the Lord Jesus on the cross when He abolished our death and brought us into God’s eternal favor. As we rest in being brought near through the Lord’s obedience, our Father will work all things for good.

Text to describe what they will be looking at.

Romans 9-11

The series of articles covering Romans 9-11.

Romans 8:29

Whom He foreknew, He also predestined…

Wisdom of God

God exercises sovereignty with wisdom

For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them,
and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
do not boast against the branches.
But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root,
but the root supports you.

Romans 11:16-18

If the raw firstfruit grain is holy, then the lump of dough made from the grain is also holy. In the same way, if the root of the tree is holy, then the branches will also be holy. This illustrates the reality that because God is holy, His people are also holy. They are not holy because of their inherent holiness, but because they are God’s. Furthermore, as olive branches receive the fruit-producing richness that flows from the root of the olive tree, so His people receive rich goodness from Him.

To the present day, the nation of Israel is outside the spiritual richness of God; like branches broken from a tree, they have been broken off from Him. In contrast, believing Gentiles enjoy the richness of God; they are like wild olive branches grafted into a cultivated olive tree producing good fruit. But their ability to produce the good fruits of righteousness comes from their connection to the Root, not from some inherent goodness. Therefore, they have no grounds to boast that they are better than the Jews.

You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Romans 11:19-24

Sadly, some Gentiles do boast, saying that God cut the Jews off because of their wickedness against their Messiah. But remember, the Jew’s standing before God was not based on their works. Therefore, they were cut off because of their unbelief, not because of their evil works.  So if they turned from unbelief to belief, they could (and would) be restored as God’s people.

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27

In fact, God has revealed a coming day when He will restore Israel to Himself. While it is true that they are currently blinded so they do not understand the Word of God, the truth remains that God has not finished with them. They are still His people and He will restore them in a coming day.

Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:28-29

While it is true that they are enemies of the believing remnant, the truth remains that they are the nation whom God has chosen. Remember, their election was not based on works or faith. Furthermore, God is not a man that He should change His mind (Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29), or permanently take back the gifts and commission He has given. Thus, their current state of blindness cannot be permanent. God has a purpose for them and is working with wisdom to accomplish it. Consider the greatness of His wisdom:

For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Romans 11:30-32

Before the time of Christ, the heathen Gentiles were rebellious against God. But, although they were historically rebellious, they now have received mercy. And how did they come to receive mercy? It was through the Jews’ rebellion against their Messiah when they put Him to death, for that death provided a salvation specifically for disobedient sinners. As disobedient sinners, the Gentiles were fully qualified to receive the mercy of that salvation.

At the time of Christ, the Jews would not have been considered to be a nation practicing disobedience towards God. They did not practice idolatry. They generally kept the commands and rituals of the Law. But they lost their status of general obedience when they rejected their Messiah and put Him to death. After that, they were counted as disobedient. But their disobedience meant that they were qualified to receive mercy because the salvation was specifically for the disobedient. This meant they could receive the same mercy that the Gentiles received!

This is what God is doing with Israel! He has not cast them aside but has blinded them, reducing them to the same level of ignorance as the Gentiles, and removed them from the position of a holy nation. So there is now no difference between them and the disobedient Gentiles. Now they perfectly qualify for God’s salvation for the disobedient. Now God can show mercy to everyone!

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
“For who has known the mind of the LORD?
Or who has become His counselor?”
“Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36

Do you see God’s wisdom? He took the Jews’ disobedience and provided a salvation for the disobedient Gentiles. But because it was a salvation for the disobedient, that meant the Jews, who are now disobedient, qualified to receive salvation.

End of Romans 9-11 Series

• Paul’s Sorrow – Romans 9:1-5
• God’s Choice – Romans 9:6-13
• God’s Purposes – Romans 9:14-18
• God’s Authority – Romans 9:19-21
• God’s Purpose – Romans 9:22-33
• Why is Israel Outside? – Romans 10
• Election of Grace – Romans 11:1-15
• God’s Wisdom – Romans 11:16-36

Election of Grace

God chose for Himself those who found grace through faith

I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Romans 11:1

In Romans 10, Paul pointed out that Israel rejected their Messiah even though God had sent many preachers with the gospel message. All day long God had extended His invitation to these stubborn people (Romans 10:21), but only a few received Him. Yet, God did not discard the nation and for a simple reason.

God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Romans 11:2-4

From the very beginning, when God chose the nation, He knew that they would be a stiff-necked people and only a portion would be true to Him. Yet He chose them as His people. But that didn’t mean He would bring all of them into glory – He would keep for Himself only those who were faithful to Him. If we look at God’s people during the time of Elijah, we’ll see that most of them turned from Him and only a remnant (a few) were faithful. So out of the hundreds of thousands of His people, He kept for Himself only 7,000 because they alone had not bowed to Baal. And as it was in the days of Elijah…

Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. Romans 11:5-6

As in Elijah’s day there was a remnant, so in Paul’s day. In Elijah’s day, the remnant included those who had not worshipped Baal. But in Paul’s day, the remnant comprised of people whom God chose, not based on their works, but because of grace. Recall the basis of Jacob’s election in Romans 9:11. His election was not based on works either, for God chose Jacob in the womb before he had done anything, God’s choice of Jacob illustrated His choice of the remnant in Paul’s day – it was a choice not based on works. Thus, God did not choose for Himself the multitudes in Israel who pursued righteousness by the works of the Law (Romans 9:31-32). Instead, He chose for Himself those who obtained righteousness by grace, having believed in the Rock (Romans 9:33).

So, if God did not utterly cast aside the people of Israel, then what has He done with them?

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written:
“God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”
And David says:
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
And bow down their back always.” Romans 11:7-10

The answer is very simple: God did not cast aside His people; He blinded them. This blinding implies that, prior to their rejection of Christ, they could see (to some extent). In what sense could they see? Recall what the Lord said of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:2-3. These men were teachers of the Law of God, and the people were expected to follow their teachings. Even though the Pharisees and scribes were ungodly in their lifestyle, they could see enough to teach the Law of God. But they lost that capacity when they rejected their Messiah. Thereafter, they no longer knew the ways of God. Having stumbled over Christ, they could no longer teach the Law of God accurately.

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! Romans 11:11-12

God does not want Israel to remain in blindness. To persuade them to re-evaluate Christ, He has poured out His grace on the believing Gentiles in the same way He originally did for the Jews (see Romans 9:4-5). He showed grace to the Gentiles, not to replace Israel, but to provoke Israel into wanting what they lost. It’s a funny thing about people, that they often don’t appreciate what they have until it is taken away and given to someone else. So God removed His gifts from Israel and gave them to, of all people, the Gentiles so that Israel would, in a way, become envious and turn to God.

Imagine what God would do if Israel abandoned their stubbornness and returned to Him! If His grace is rich towards the Gentiles when Israel has rejected Him, how much greater an outpouring of His grace to all if Israel embraced Him?

For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Romans 11:13-15

Notice how Paul imitated God’s approach when he preached the gospel. When the Jews rejected his gospel, he turned to the Gentiles hoping to stir up jealousy by the grace received by the believing Gentiles. He wanted Israel to be reconciled to God, knowing that the resulting blessing would benefit the whole earth.

Romans 10

How it was that Israel fell from grace.

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 11b

God exercises His sovereignty through His magnificent wisdom.

Why is Israel Outside?

who is to blame for their fall from grace?

​Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness,
and seeking to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:1-4

Paul began Romans 9 with sorrow over Israel’s exclusion from the grace in Christ. From there, he explored the reason the people of God failed to enter the riches of Christ, concluding it was because they had rejected righteousness by faith. Despite their rejection, Paul longed for their salvation. But he knew they would never be saved if they continued to pursue establishing righteousness by the works of the Law. This righteousness of the Law is completely different than the righteousness available in Christ. 

For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
~ Romans 10:5-9

Paul quoted from Leviticus 18:5 and Deuteronomy 30:11-14 to show the contrast between the two types of righteousness. The righteousness by the law requires a life of strict obedience to the law. But the righteousness in Christ comes by faith, which means a person does not obtain it by performing some action but by believing the word preached by the apostles regarding the Lord Jesus.

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
~ Romans 10:10-13

The truth that righteousness is available by faith is readily shown from the Old Testament. Paul did so earlier, in Romans 4, using the examples of Abraham and David. He now adds Isaiah 28:16, which references the coming Messiah and the promise given to those who believe in Him. He also quotes from Joel 2:32 which speaks of the end times and how people will be saved by calling on the name of the Lord (Genesis 4:26 also speaks of men calling on the name of the Lord, showing that people have done this throughout all of history). According to the Old Testament, righteousness has always been available by faith.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
~ Romans 10:14-15

People cannot call upon God for salvation if they haven’t believed that God can provide salvation. And they cannot believe that God will provide salvation if they have not heard that God offers salvation. And they will not hear if no one is there to tell them. And no one will tell them that God offers salvation unless God sends someone with the message.

Faith is not based on nothing. It is impossible to believe someone if they have not communicated something. People cannot call upon God to save them if God has not sent the message of His salvation. 

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
~ Romans 10:16-17

Returning to the original issue of Israel’s exclusion, it is a fact that the nation of Israel has, for the most part, rejected the gospel. Not that this was a complete surprise, for the prophet foretold they would not believe the report in Isaiah 53:1. 

Given the fact that a person must hear the message of God’s salvation before they can believe in God, why is Israel outside of the grace in Christ?

But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
~ Romans 10:18

Are they outside because God failed to send them the message, and so they haven’t heard it? That is not the reason – they have heard the message! God sent the message out to the whole earth, Israel included. 

But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”
But Isaiah is very bold and says:
“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
~ Romans 10:19-20

Are they outside because the message was so unexpected that it is unreasonable to expect Isreal to embrace it? No, for the prophets foretold the coming of the message and its acceptance by the Gentiles. God let them know ahead of time that the message was coming. Why, then, is Isreal outside the grace of Christ?

But to Israel he says:
“All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.”
~ Romans 10:21

Paul placed the blame fully on Israel. God did not withhold the message, nor did He make the message impossible for them to believe. The truth is, they have not believed because they rejected God’s word of salvation. God urged them to receive His salvation, but they have rejected His word.

Paul showed that God is not to blame for Israel’s exclusion – Israel herself is.

Romans 9e

The reason Israel did not receive the righteousness in Christ.

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 11a

The correct perspective on the Jewish people.

God’s Purpose

vessels of wrath and vessels of mercy

What if God,
wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known,
endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy,
which He had prepared beforehand for glory,
even us whom He called,
not of the Jews only,
but also of the Gentiles?

Romans 9:22-24

In the preceding passage (Romans 9:14-21), Pharaoh and Israel were likened to clay vessels formed from the same lump.  They were both stubborn and stiff-necked, but God used them for different purposes. God used Pharaoh’s stubbornness to show His power and make His name known, and used Israel’s stiff-necked nature to show the greatness of His mercy. Pharaoh was a vessel of dishonor, Israel was a vessel of honor. This passage now introduces vessels of wrath and vessels of mercy. For the first few lines, it is natural to assume that the vessels of wrath correspond to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and the vessels of mercy represent the Jews. However, it appears Paul used a literary sleight of hand, revealing in the last line that it is the Gentile believers who are the vessels of mercy and the Jews who are the vessels of wrath. It is a brilliantly performed reversal designed to astonish the reader and show the exceeding greatness of God’s wisdom in His work with the Jews. Let us look again at the passage in this light.

The passage shows God’s purpose by asking a long question, which we shall break into parts. What if God wanted the world to know of His wrath toward sin and power for judgment? Surely no one could fault God for giving a demonstration. What if His demonstration extended over centuries as He endured the ungodly rebellion of the Jewish people? Surely no one could fault God for being long-suffering. What if He did this so that repentant Gentiles may know the great magnitude of God’s mercy toward sinners?

God’s purpose in making the Jews His people was to demonstrate His wrath, power, and mercy. It is clear that His strategy was effective because, to this day, believing Gentiles learn of God’s wrath toward sin and His power to judge by looking at passages similar to the following verses.

As He says also in Hosea:
“I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
“And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The remnant will be saved.
For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

And as Isaiah said before:
“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,
We would have become like Sodom,
And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”
~ Romans 9:25-29

If God’s judgment on His people is this severe, what kind of judgment is reserved for the Gentiles? Believing Gentiles see this and realize God has shown them immeasurable mercy!

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.
~ Romans 9:30-31

This begins the conclusion of the matter. Heathen Gentiles have received the righteousness of God through faith which is to all and on all who believe (Romans 3:21-22). But the nation of Isreal, the people of God, have not obtained this righteousness.

Recall how the chapter began by mourning how Israel, the people of God, have fallen outside the grace in Christ. It then raised the question of how the people of God could be outside the grace of God. Before answering this question, the chapter showed that the people of God were not His people because of their faithfulness to God. God made them His people despite their unfaithfulness to demonstrate certain of His attributes, namely, His wrath and power (along with His mercy). With that background, the passage finally answers the question of why Isreal has fallen outside God’s grace: it is because they have not attained the righteousness that the Gentiles received.

Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
~ Romans 9:30-31

Why has Israel not received the righteousness in Christ? The answer is crystal clear. It is because they didn’t believe in Christ. They pursued righteousness through keeping the Law instead of receiving it by faith. For that reason, the people of God fell from grace. 

I suppose at this juncture, some would ask, Why didn’t they have faith? Was it withheld from them? Thankfully, Paul answers this question in Romans 10…

Romans 9d

God places men in whatever role He pleases according to His purposes.

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 10

How it was that Israel fell from grace.

God’s Authority

He makes what He wants

You will say to me then,
“Why does He still find fault?
For who has resisted His will?”

Romans 9:19

The above questions come in the context of how God used stubborn Israel to show the extent of His mercy and used stubborn Pharaoh to show the greatness of His power. They are questions that someone might ask when confronted with this topic. The first question asks about the justice of condemning Pharaoh for his stubbornness. If God wanted a stubborn man to show His power, and Pharaoh provided the obstinacy God was looking for, then how can God judge Pharaoh for being stubborn? Didn’t Pharaoh ultimately do what God wanted? It seems unjust for God to condemn Pharaoh.  

The second question addresses the level of God’s control. Is it possible for a person to act the opposite of what God wants? With Pharaoh, if God wanted Pharaoh to be stubborn, could Pharaoh do anything else? If Pharaoh could not help being stubborn because such was God’s will, then how can God justly hold him accountable?

Notice how the following verses do not give a direct answer to these questions.

But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?
Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”
Does not the potter have power over the clay,
from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
~ Romans 9:20-21

The Lord often used questions not to learn information but to shed light on a topic.  Paul used these questions in the same way. The questions in verse 19 were based on the presupposition that God changed Pharah’s personality.  They assumed that God overrode Pharaoh’s will and made him stubborn so God could display His power. Instead of trying to answer questions based on a false premise, Paul raised new questions that clarified the reality of the situation.

The first question asked if a created being has the right to question his God. It is followed by a second question that clarified the focus of the first question, asking if a created being can question what God has made of him. The third question supplied the answer through the illustration of a potter who made various types of vessels from the same lump of clay. Clearly, the potter had the right to make whatever vessels he desired from a lump of clay. There is nothing wrong with a potter taking some clay and forming part into a beautiful vase and the remainder into a waste bucket. The clay has no right to question what the potter makes from it.

Notice that the potter did not change the substance of the clay to make the different vessels. He did not take some clay, make it lumpy, and then smash it when it did not form into a beautiful vase. No, he took portions of the same clay and used them to make a variety of vessels, some for one purpose and some for other purposes. 

In the same way, God did not change the substance of a man or men to accomplish His purposes. He did not take a man, make him stubborn, then smash him because he would not comply. No, He took from a common group of stubborn mankind and formed two groups, one for showcasing His mercy (Isreal) and one for showcasing His power (Pharaoh). 

Could Pharaoh ask God why He used Pharaoh in unrepentant stubbornness as a vessel for displaying God’s wrath and not as an unrepentant vessel for displaying God’s mercy, like God did for Israel?

• It is righteous for God to use Pharaoh’s stubbornness to display His wrath and, at the same time, hold Pharaoh accountable for not repenting. 
• It is righteous for God to use Israel’s stubbornness to display His mercy and, at the same time, hold Isreal accountable for not repenting. 
• It is righteous for God to use anyone’s stubbornness for any purpose and, at the same time, hold them accountable for not repenting.

Romans 9c

The different ways God has worked with stubborn people.

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 9e

The reason Israel did not receive the righteousness in Christ.

God’s Purposes

based on His own prerogative

What shall we say then?
Is there unrighteousness with God?
Certainly not!
For He says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”
So then it is not of him who wills,
nor of him who runs,
but of God who shows mercy.

Romans 9:14-16

The earlier verses showed that God chose to give Jacob’s descendants greater blessings than He gave Esau’s descendants. Was it wickedness for God to show greater favor to Jacob’s descendants? Absolutely not. As God said in the passage where Moses asked to see God’s glory, He reserves the right to show grace and compassion to whoever He desires (Exodus 33:14-19). Although Israel sinned greatly with the golden calf, God chose to show them mercy. It certainly was not wrong for Him to withhold judgment and show compassion.

God’s choice was of His own prerogative. He didn’t show mercy because Israel had the right flavor of repentance, or because Moses used the proper prayer formula. His demonstration of mercy was not out of compulsion, but according to His purposes; He does not have the same purpose for all people. Consider the contrast between God’s purpose for Israel and His purpose for Pharaoh.

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh,
“For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”
Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. Romans 9:17-18

Carefully notice what God told the stubborn Pharaoh. He did not say, ‘…I have made you stubborn, that I may show My power…’ but told the man that He had ‘…raised you up…’ to the throne. The man who was Pharaoh was a strong-willed and stubborn man. But he did not become Pharaoh by his own strength of will; God declared responsibility for his ascent to the throne. 

God was quite clear on His purpose for raising this man to the throne – that everyone would come to know of God and His power. God could have raised up a compliant man, but He wanted the world to know that the God of the Hebrews was God over all. So God took an obstinately stubborn man and made him Pharoah.

In the process of demonstrating His power, God hardened Pharaoh. Many have proposed that God’s hardening of Pharaoh was like the hardening of concrete: Pharaoh first chose to oppose God and God hardened him into that position. However, this interpretation doesn’t quite match the meaning of the Hebrew words for harden. The definition of the key Hebrew word, Strong’s #H2388, indicates that the hardening was a form of strengthening. 

The level at which God intended to show His power was beyond the ability of any mortal man to withstand, even a stubborn man like Pharaoh. It is true that for the first few plagues, Pharaoh held to his stubborn resolve to keep his slaves. But eventually, it became necessary for God to temporarily bolster Pharaoh’s determination so he wouldn’t prematurely collapse under the weight of the plagues. Put simply, God strengthened Pharaoh in his stubbornness until He completed His intended demonstration of power. After the final plague, God ceased hardening Pharaoh and Pharaoh then gave in and let the people go.

Notice the contrast in God’s purposes for Israel versus Pharaoh. Israel was a stiff-necked and stubborn nation (Exodus 32:9, 33:3-5, 34:9), even as Pharaoh was a stubborn man. But God purposed to demonstrate His mercy through the stubborn nation, while He purposed to show His power through the stubborn man.

Certainly, there is nothing wrong with God using Pharaoh’s stubbornness to showcase His power and, at the same time, using Israel’s stubbornness to showcase His mercy. God may use stubborn people as He pleases.

Food for thought: on the Day of Judgment, God will hold Pharaoh accountable for his obstinance. This raises some rather serious questions about the justice of God, don’t you think?

Romans 9b

God’s choice of Israel as His people was not based on their faith or lack thereof.

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 9d

God places men in whatever role He pleases according to His purposes.

God’s Choice

not based on actions

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”

Romans 9:6-9

God chose the nation of Israel to be His people by the word of a covenant (Genesis 17:7-8). He brought them out of Egypt and abundantly blessed them (Romans 9:4-5). He made them the people of God. So why were they outside of the blessings in Christ? Did God’s word of covenant fail (Romans 9:6)?

No, it did not. Abraham’s descendants as a whole were called the people of God, but that did not mean they were all the children of God. A child of God is someone who trusts the Lord implicitly. Abraham became a child of God when he believed in the Lord, which means he believed God could and would fulfill His promise (Genesis 5:5-6). But not all his descendants (the Israelites) were children of God (Romans 9:6).

Consider Isaac, who was both the child of promise and a physical descendant of Abraham. Isaac stands in contrast to Ishmael who, although he was a physical descendant, was not a child of promise (Romans 9:7-9). Isaac shows that not every physical descendant of Abraham was a child of promise. 

Apply the truth of Isaac to the nation of Israel. The Israelites were all physical descendants of Abraham. But there are many examples of Israelites, such as Dathan and Abiram, king Ahab, the many idolators, among others, who were very ungodly. So we see that many in Israel were not the children of God – they did not believe in God with respect to His promises.

This raises an important question. If the Israelites were not all the children of God, then how is it they were the people of God? In answer, Paul gives us a second illustration.

And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”
As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Romans 9:10-13

Consider these two men, Jacob and Esau. They were each physical descendants of both Abraham and Isaac (the son of promise). Also, unlike Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau had the same mother. In addition to this, they were twins. Yet God deliberately gave the blessing of Abraham to the one and not the other.

The timing of God’s choice showed that He did not base it on the boys’ actions, for they had not yet been born. It is important to recognize that God based His choice solely on His purposes – it had nothing to do with the boys’ character or conduct. Thus, even though Jacob was often a scoundrel, God promised the blessing to him – Jacob’s actions were not a factor in God’s choice.

God’s choice of Jacob included his descendants. Throughout their entire history even to the end of Old Testament, God showed them greater favor than other nations, such as Esau’s descendants.  Although they often were very wicked, they remained the people of God because their actions were not a factor in God’s choice.

Thus, Israel’s failure to enter the blessings of Christ does not mean God’s word of covenant failed because, although the Israelites were the people of God, they were not all the children of God. Their status as the people of God was not based on their righteousness but based solely on God’s purposes. Because belief in God’s promises is essential to entering into the blessings of Christ, those who were not the children of God remained on the outside even though they were the people of God.

This raises another big question. Is it wrong for God to arbitrarily show greater favor to one nation over others?

Romans 9a

Paul’s sorrow over the state the nation of Israel is currently in.

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 9c

The different ways God has worked with stubborn people.

Paul’s Sorrow

Israel on the outside

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities nor powers,
nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

I tell the truth in Christ,
I am not lying,
my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.

Romans 9:1-2

What a contrast in tone and emotion between the above passages! Great exuberance and joy at the close of Romans 8, followed by heavy sadness and heartache at the beginning of Romans 9. Why the sudden change in mood?

The end of Romans 8 is the crescendo to the first half of the epistle. As you may recall, Paul began his discourse on the glorious gospel with a somber discussion on the guilt upon all mankind but quickly turned to the wonderous propitiation and justification in Christ Jesus. On these concepts, he built the magnificent realities of the newness of life in Christ and the marvelous deliverance from bondage and condemnation, culminating with a view of the believers’ security in God’s purpose for them. At the pinnacle of his discussion, Paul’s exuberance fairly leaps off the page at his acclamation of the grandeur of God’s love.

His tone and level of exuberance would be fitting for the setting of a celebratory party! One can imagine the prodigal son experiencing a comparable level of joy and delight in the festive feast his father gave upon his return. The similarity of rejoicing is understandable since both had discovered that their father’s love was greater than they had imagined.

There is another similarity between Paul and the prodigal son that might help us understand Paul’s sudden change of mood in the above passages.

Like the prodigal son, Paul also had an older brother who remained outside of the celebration in the father’s house, preferring isolation from the father over taking part in the festivities. Paul’s older ‘brother’ was the nation of Israel. 

Like the prodigal son’s older brother, the nation of Israel had all the benefits and privileges of staying true to what was upright. As the father withheld nothing from the older brother, God withheld no good thing from the nation of Israel. 

However, as Paul looked outside from the festivities, he caught a glimpse of his brother’s form in the gathering shadows. He saw, as did everyone, that the nation of Israel was outside of the abundant blessings in Christ. Their situation broke Paul’s heart, even in the midst of his joy.

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. Romans 9:3-5

This is why we see such a dramatic change of mood.

God chose the nation of Israel to be His people by the word of a covenant (Genesis 17:7-8). He brought them out of Egypt and abundantly blessed them (Romans 9:4-5). Why, then, were they outside of the blessings in Christ? Did God’s word of covenant fail?

Romans 8:29

Whom God foreknew, He predestined…

Romans 9-11

Introduction to the study on the thought-flow of these chapters.

Romans 9b

God’s choice of Israel as His people was not based on their faith or lack thereof.