Q428 : Paul’s Purpose in Romans 9-11

First of all, I want to say God bless you and thank you for your faithful stand on God’s word. I was blessed to read your article, “The Doctrine of the Remnant and the Salvation of Israel in Romans 9-11”.^a It is a subject I’ve been interested in for some time now. There are a few verses in that section that caught my attention one day, Rom. 9:6-13. I would welcome any suggestions you might have on my take of those verses. Allow me to start by saying, I think they are usually made more complicated than they actually are.

Verse 6 is part of a triad of verses that simply say salvation comes by promise as opposed to works. I think those verses talk more about how salvation will come, as opposed to who will receive it. That’s pretty much what the whole book of Romans is about - works vs belief. I don't see Romans talking about 2 different Israels, i.e. spiritual vs. carnal. I think such an idea might easily arise when taking verse 6 out of context, but I don’t believe that’s what Paul was saying. Verses 9-16 supplies further context and continues in the same train of thought. They say that God made it by promise, not by works. I believe that is all those verses are saying. I don’t see some of Israel being any better than others as the popular interpretation of Romans 9:6-8 suggests. I would appreciate your comments. Just searching for truth and I would appreciate your input in that pursuit.

A428 : by Steve Lewis

You mention that these verses “simply say salvation comes by promise as opposed to works,” and that is certainly one of the points that the apostle Paul reiterated in this passage (Rom. 9:11, 32; 11:6). But if that is all that Paul intended to communicate, he had already accomplished it wonderfully in the first eight chapters. Paul was writing primarily to Gentiles in the church at Rome, so why would he add chapters 9 through 11 concerning Israel’s apostasy and the ultimate salvation of the believing remnant?

Already in the first three chapters of Romans, Paul had expressed his concern for his Jewish kindred. They were God’s chosen people who were to be a shining beacon to the nations. In Romans 3:1-3 Paul raised the example of Israel when he said, “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?” Israel was in a position of unique privilege, so does Israel’s apostasy mean that God and His Word have failed? That is the question which Paul addresses in chapters 9 through 11. He began by repeating the great benefits God gave to Israel. But if such a blessed people could end up in such a miserable condition, how can the Gentiles trust that God will be true to His Word to them?

As mentioned in the article,^a “Romans 9:6 is a crucial verse in this passage because it explains Paul’s purpose for including chapters 9-11 in this epistle: ‘It is not as though the Word of God has failed.’ Paul is intent on demonstrating that the Word of God can be trusted completely, even though it may look as if it failed in regard to the nation of Israel.” God’s Word has not failed because God’s promises will always be fulfilled for those who believe within the nation of Israel. In chapters 9-11 Paul’s detailed explanation of God’s dealings with Israel emphasizes the absolute sovereignty of God, and he reassures his primarily Gentile readers that God is not finished with Israel. That being the case, the Gentiles can trust that He will not fail to fulfill His purposes for them either. God means what He says and can be counted on to be true to His Word.

Paul’s explanation of God’s relationship with Israel serves to reassure believers of God’s unchanging faithfulness to His own, as well as guaranteeing that God will fulfill His promises to Abraham’s faithful descendants in the future. All of these truths caused Paul to break into spontaneous worship and praise at the end of chapter 11, and immediately afterward he tells us how we should respond to these truths: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom 12:1). We can live confidently in faith, knowing that God is completely trustworthy.