Before verse 25, the NIV inserts a heading in bold type as if stating an absolute fact: All Israel will be saved. So we will need to look at that!
I said in the previous study that Paul will now begin to build a case for the salvation of all Israel – but he quickly has to explain that not all who are descended from Israel are the true Israel (Romans 9:6-9). Actually, during the whole of history there have been those Israelites who have deliberately turned their backs on God to follow idols and they have already been paid the wages for their sin (Romans 6:23).
The study in 2 Kings describes the final punishment for the northern tribes of ‘Israel’ as they went into exile, never to return. The land of ‘Israel’ (north of Jerusalem – as opposed to ‘Judah’ in the south) had then been repopulated with other peoples, captives taken from lands occupied by the Assyrians. In Paul’s time they were called Samaritans. Today much of this area constitutes part of ‘The West Bank’.
As we start this chapter we must remember Romans 10:1
1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
And then Romans 10:16
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ (Isaiah 53:1)
And also Romans 10:21
21 But concerning Israel he says,
‘All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.’ (Isaiah 65:2)
So now we can move into chapter 11
Read Romans 11:1-4
1 I ask then: did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah – how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 ‘Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me’ (1 Kings 19:10,14)
4 And what was God’s answer to him? ‘I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18).
Elijah had (temporarily) stopped the terrible slide into Idol-worship that had culminated in the reigns of Ahab and Jezebel. But then he was overcome with depression and believed it had all been in vain. God met him, revealed that he personally had reserved a remnant of seven thousand Godly people, and demonstrated that actually he was still quite capable of standing against the devil’s attempts to overthrow him.
Romans 11:2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.
Read Hebrews 9:15
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31; Luke 22:20) , that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Read Romans 11:5
5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
So the Israelites like the Gentiles, are called and chosen (Matthew 22:14). And only those that personally respond will be saved. But the verse goes on ‘by grace’. Only by the grace of God can anyone respond to the call.
6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written:
‘God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.’ (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10)
9 And David says:
‘May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling-block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent for ever.’ (Psalm 69:22-23)
Again, Paul is drawing a distinction between those who are ‘elect’ (chosen) and those who although ‘religious’ did not have the faith to believe.
11 Again I ask: did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.’ 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
Gentile Christians might consider themselves above Israelites who had been ‘cut off’. That was very dangerous – if the natural branches had suffered for their wrongdoing, those who had been adopted into God’s family should not be arrogant but live in gratitude and humility.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
(If this phrase raises questions see study on John 15e)
23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
Rotten branches had been cut out and new strong vibrant Gentile branches grafted in to give the tree new vigour. Now new branches from the original rootstock will also be grafted back to make the tree complete.
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
‘The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.’
Original branches had to be cut out and other ‘wild olive’ branches grafted in until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And verse 26 ‘in this way’ suggests that in the ‘family tree’ analogy God’s eternal plan had a complete picture of what the tree should look like.
Now we have to be careful; many literally believe that ‘all Israel will be saved’. In the same way that the Lord stepped into Paul’s life and turned him around, he could foresee a time when there will be a worldwide revival amongst the Israelites and a mass turning to him. Personally I don’t understand that those who had been disobedient in past history would also be saved, but if that is what God will choose to do, I can’t say that he can’t!
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
The extent of God’s grace and mercy is immeasurable. God’s enemies, and disobedient children are all still loved by him, and like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) can be welcomed back as full family members.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?’ (Isaiah 40:13)
35 ‘Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?’ (Job 41:11)
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
So to Romans 12:1
Therefore
The first part of this letter covered the theory, now we come to the practice.
The first two verses will look at our body, and then our mind.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
A sacrifice had to be perfect – without spot or blemish. And we are to be a living sacrifice, devoted to God. It is literally to be all or nothing.
The term ‘devoted’ to God in the Old Testament often meant the total giving over to God of a place, person, or thing. Remember Achan (Joshua 7:1-26).
These days devotion has two linked but different meanings – what are they?
Either undying love for someone, or something like a room or building solely given over for a specific purpose.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Renewing your mind means literally to change it! A mind wholly taken up with pleasing God is difficult to achieve, but it is something to be aimed at.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
This list is not exhaustive (but it may be exhausting!). We all have gifts in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you (v3). It is up to us to use those gifts – don’t bury them (Matthew 25:14-30). And don’t become proud (v3) as if somehow you have earned your gift.
9 Love must be sincere
Some of us have experienced insincere love and it is devastating. Love is the most basic of our emotions, and something within which we can place all our trust. God’s love for us is limitless – so our love for others must be true and sincere.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.
(Did I mention it could be exhausting?)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. (Deuteronomy 32:35)
20 On the contrary:
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ (Proverbs 25:21-22)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The words of Jesus in Luke 6:20-38 underlies this passage and it is not easy reading (see this study)
