Romans Meditation Lesson 56

Romans Meditation Lesson 56

“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your own estimation–that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.’ ‘This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.’ From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:25-29)

Paul continues to speak to the Gentile Christians, cautioning them from reaching the wrong conclusion about the Israelite’s relationship with God and humanity at large. The Israelites have suffered a partial hardening of their hearts to the truth of Jesus, as they have not received Him with faith. The hardening has kept the Israelites from receiving God’s righteousness. The Gentiles may question why a God of love would do this to His chosen nation, and Paul is making it clear to them that the purpose is to make room for the Gentiles to be included in a faith relationship with Christ.

In verse twenty-five, Paul makes it clear the hardening is only for a season until the fullness of the Gentiles has come to faith in Christ. Some may think the season will last until all Gentiles come to faith, but that is not likely, and many in the world, both Jews and Gentiles, will reject Christ. Paul uses the phrase “fullness of the Gentiles,” as many as will believe. When that point in time has been reached, the Israelites will no longer have their hearts hardened in unbelief in Christ. It does not mean all Israelites will come to faith, not those from a prior time.

In verse twenty-six, Paul writes, “All Israel will be saved.” Some take this statement to mean all Israelites, past, present, and future, will be saved. It does not fit the teaching that salvation comes only from God’s grace through faith in Christ. Some Jewish people and people from other cultures have rejected God. God is not extending salvation to those who have rejected Him based on culture. Others refer to the tribulation times when the Jewish people will be under great persecution, and they will be saved by the Deliverer, which will provide salvation.

Regarding the end times, Paul may be thinking of the Prophit Isaiah, who wrote the following verse. “A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 59:20)

All Israel will be saved means all who have come to faith in Christ, both Israelites and Gentiles. The Gentiles have been grafted into the Olive Tress, becoming the descendant of Abraham. “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16)

Paul now uses Isaiah 59:21, “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from now and forever.” (Isaiah 59:21), to remind Israel of Cod’s Covenant with them He will remove their sin when they obey the gospel truth of Christ for their salvation.

Paul is addressing the Gentiles and confirming the Israelites have become enemies of the gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul also states that the Israelites are beloved, meaning they are His cherished, chosen people. The Israelites are destined to return to God in their relationship with Him as they come to faith in Christ at some time in the future. God has elected some but not now all of the Israelites for the sake of their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The promises and call of God are irrevocable and will come to pass. God did make conditional covenants to bless Israel if they kept His law. Most of God’s promises to the patriarchs were one-sided from God’s goodness. God’s promises will not be removed regardless of how much the Israelite people sinned and rejected faith in Christ, their Messiah. God will, in time, call His people back into a relationship with Him, bringing the nation into Faith in Christ at the proper time.

Thomas N Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, June 4, 2024