The Remnant Chosen by Grace
Study note
Paul emphatically denies that God has rejected his people, pointing to himself as proof -- an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin. He recalls the story of Elijah, who thought he was alone in faithfulness, but God had preserved seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal. Likewise, a remnant exists now, chosen by grace, not works. The rest of Israel was hardened, as prophesied by Isaiah and David, their spiritual eyes and ears closed.
1 So I have to ask: has God given up on his people? Certainly not! I am living proof -- I am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not thrown away the people he chose long ago. Remember the story of Elijah? He went to God and complained about Israel, saying, God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
3 "Lord, they have killed the people who spoke for you and smashed your altars to pieces. I am the only one left, and now they want to kill me too." Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what did God tell him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand people who have refused to bow down to the false god Baal." But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 It is the same right now. There is a small group that God chose because of his grace. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 Since God chose them by grace, it was not because of anything they did. If it depended on what they did, it would not be grace anymore. And if it depended on grace, then it cannot be about what they did. Otherwise the words lose their meaning. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 So what happened? Most of Israel did not find what they were looking for. The ones God chose found it, but the rest had their hearts hardened. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 The scriptures describe it: 'God put them into a deep sleep. He gave them eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, and it has lasted all the way until today.' (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David said, 'Let what they enjoy become a trap and a snare. Let it trip them up and pay them back for what they have done.' And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 'Make their eyes too dark to see, and let their backs be bent over forever.' Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Israel's Stumbling Brings Salvation to the Gentiles
Study note
Israel's stumbling was not a permanent fall but served a redemptive purpose: salvation has come to the Gentiles, which in turn is meant to provoke Israel to jealousy. Paul reasons that if Israel's loss brought riches to the world, how much greater blessing will their full restoration bring. As apostle to the Gentiles, Paul magnifies his ministry partly in hope of stirring his own people to desire what the Gentiles have received.
11 So here is my question: when they stumbled, did they fall so hard they could never get up? Not at all! In fact, because they stumbled, the door of salvation swung open for non-Jewish people. And that was meant to stir up jealousy in Israel. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Their failure brought great riches to the world. Their stumbling brought riches to non-Jewish people. Picture how amazing it will be when they come back in full! Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 I want to speak directly to you who are not Jewish. Since I am the apostle to the non-Jewish world, I take my job seriously. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 I hope that seeing what God does among you will make my own Jewish people want the same thing. Then some of them might be saved. If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 When they were pushed aside, the whole world was brought back to God. So when they are welcomed back, it will be like dead people coming to life! For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 When the first handful of dough is set apart as holy, the whole batch is holy. When the roots of a tree are holy, the branches are holy too. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
The Olive Tree Metaphor
Study note
Paul uses the powerful image of an olive tree to explain the relationship between Israel and the Gentile believers. Some natural branches (unbelieving Jews) were broken off, and wild olive shoots (Gentile believers) were grafted in. But Gentiles must not boast: they do not support the root; the root supports them. They stand by faith and can be cut off through unbelief, just as the natural branches can be grafted back in if they turn from unbelief. God is able to restore Israel.
17 Picture an olive tree. Some of the original branches were snapped off, and you -- a branch from a wild olive tree -- were grafted in among the remaining branches. Now you share in the rich sap flowing from the roots. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 But do not get arrogant and look down on those broken-off branches. Remember: you are not the one feeding the roots. The roots are feeding you. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 You might say, "Those branches were broken off to make room for me." Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Fair enough. They were broken off because they did not trust God, and you are standing because you do trust him. So do not get a big head about it. Instead, let that make you humble. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 After all, God did not hold back from cutting off the natural branches. He will not hold back from cutting you off either. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Look at both sides of who God is: he is serious with people who fell away, and he is kind to you -- as long as you keep receiving his kindness. If you do not, you will be cut off too. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And on the flip side, if those original branches stop refusing to trust God, he will graft them right back in. God has the power to do that. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 Think about it. You were cut from a wild olive tree and attached to a tame one. That goes against nature. So how much easier will it be for God to attach the original branches back to their own tree! For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
All Israel Will Be Saved
Study note
Paul reveals a mystery: Israel's hardening is partial and temporary, lasting until the full number of Gentiles comes in. Then all Israel will be saved, as the prophets foretold -- the Deliverer will come from Zion and turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Though Israel currently opposes the gospel, they remain beloved for the sake of the patriarchs, because God's gifts and calling are irrevocable. God has bound all over to disobedience so that he may show mercy to all.
25 My friends, I need to share a secret with you so you do not start thinking you are smarter than you are. Part of Israel has become hard-hearted, and it will stay that way until the full number of non-Jewish people has come to God. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 After that, all Israel will be saved. The scriptures say, "The Rescuer will come from Zion. He will remove ungodliness from Jacob's family." And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 "And this is my agreement with them: I will take away their sins." For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 When it comes to the good news, they are treated as opponents for your benefit. But when it comes to God's original choice, they are deeply loved because of the promises made to their ancestors. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29 Once God gives a gift or makes a call, he never takes it back. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 There was a time when you did not obey God. But now you have received mercy because of Israel's disobedience. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 In the same way, they have now disobeyed. But the mercy shown to you will one day circle back to them too. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 God allowed everyone to get caught up in disobedience for one reason. He wanted to shower mercy on everyone. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
A Hymn to God's Wisdom
Study note
Paul concludes his exploration of God's plan for Israel with a doxology of awe and worship. The depth of God's wisdom and knowledge is beyond human comprehension. His judgments are unsearchable and his ways past tracing out. No one has known the mind of the Lord or served as his adviser. Everything comes from him, exists through him, and returns to him. To God be the glory forever.
33 How amazing and deep are God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge! Nobody can fully explore his decisions or trace the paths he takes! O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 "Has anyone ever figured out what the Lord is thinking? Has anyone been his advisor?" For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 "Has anyone given God something first, so that God owes them something back?" Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 Everything comes from God. Everything exists through God. Everything is heading back to God. He deserves all the glory forever and ever. Amen. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.