Israel's Future Reception
Chapter 11
Three Proofs That God Has Not Cast Off His People Forever
In this chapter, Paul shows that God will once again take up with Israel and bring them into blessing. He begins by asking, "I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid [Far be the thought]." Was the accusation of the Jews true, who said that the gospel Paul preached disregarded the promises of God to Israel? Paul answers this in the plainest of terms—NO! While the Scriptures state that God would “cast off” His people on account of their failure to receive the Messiah (Dan. 9:24-2724Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:24‑27); Mic. 5:1-31Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. (Micah 5:1‑3); Isa. 61:1-31The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1‑3); Psa. 69:22-3622Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents. 26For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. 27Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. 28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. 29But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. 30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. 32The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. 33For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. 34Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein. 35For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. 36The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein. (Psalm 69:22‑36); Jer. 31:37-4037Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord. 38Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. 39And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath. 40And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the Lord; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever. (Jeremiah 31:37‑40); Zech. 11:1-13:61Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. 2Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. 3There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. 4Thus saith the Lord my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter; 5Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the Lord; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. 6For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbor's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. 7And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. 8Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another. 10And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. 11And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord. 12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. 14Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 15And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. 16For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. 17Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. 1The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. 4In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. 5And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. 6In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. 7The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. 8In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. 9And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 11In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. 12And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; 13The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; 14All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. 1In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. 2And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. 3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. 4And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: 5But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. 6And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. (Zechariah 11:1‑13:6), etc.), nowhere do the Scriptures state that the casting off would be full or final. Paul proceeds to give three proofs that show that God has not rejected His people entirely.
At the Present There is a Remnant of the Nation Who Have Believed The Gospel and Have Been Blessed
Chap. 11:1-6—The first proof that God has not cast off His people (Israel) fully is that there is presently "a remnant" of Jews who have believed the gospel of God's grace. Paul, in fact, is an example. He says, "For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin" (vs. 1). Even though the mass of the nation has been blinded through unbelief, there is still a remnant of elect individuals who have believed, whom God has reserved for Himself, as there was in the days of Elijah. This "election of grace" are the first fruits of the nation, and are a pledge of the ultimate restoration of Israel in a coming day (Eph. 1:1212That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)). This shows that when men fail in their responsibility, God maintains His sovereignty and secures a remnant who believe. He will not allow His purpose to bless to be thwarted (Job 42:22I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:2); Isa. 46:1010Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Isaiah 46:10)). Thus, the election of believing Jews at the present time is completely a work of sovereign grace.
Chap. 11:7-10—While the elect remnant of the nation has come into blessing, the mass has been judicially "blinded." This blinding should not come as a surprise to the Jews, because their own Scriptures state that it would happen! Paul quotes Isaiah: "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" (Isa. 29:1010For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. (Isaiah 29:10)). He also quotes David, who prophetically uttered the Messiah's imprecatory prayer on the cross when He was rejected by the people: "Let their table (their sacrificial system) be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway" (Psa. 69:22-2322Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. (Psalm 69:22‑23)). (See also Isaiah 6:9-109And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isaiah 6:9‑10) with John 12:39-4139Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. (John 12:39‑41), and also 2 Corinthians 3:14-1514But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. (2 Corinthians 3:14‑15).) Thus, this blinding is a governmental judgment of God on the nation as a whole, but individuals among them can still come to Christ in faith and be blessed.
In Calling the Gentiles, God is Provoking The Jews to Jealousy—and This Proves That He is Not Finished With Israel
Chap. 11:11-25—The second proof that God is not finished with Israel is seen in His calling of the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy (vs. 11). Paul says, "Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid [Far be the thought]. But rather through their fall [slipped away] salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." The fact that God would want to stir up Israel, by way of provoking them to jealousy that they might turn again to Him, shows that He is not finished with them yet. Paul agrees that Israel has "stumbled," but he insists that they have not fallen, in the sense that it is all over for them. Reading the verse as found in the KJV might be confusing, because after stating that they haven't fallen, he goes ahead and says that they have! This conundrum is easily cleared up by understanding that the second use of the word "fall" in the eleventh verse is really a different word in the Greek, and should be translated "transgression." To "fall," in the sense that Paul speaks of it here, is a final thing "beyond recovery" (NASB); "transgression," on the other hand, does not carry that connotation. This occurs again in verse 12. Thus, Israel has stumbled and transgressed, but they have not fallen out of God's purpose to bless them.
Paul said that the "diminishing [default]" of Israel has opened the way for the Gentiles to have great "riches [wealth]." The "wealth of the Gentiles" refers to the favour that God has extended to the Gentiles in the gospel, without taking into account whether they have believed it or not. In other words, Israel's "loss" has been the Gentiles gain. This is a principle in God's ways that is found in many places in Scripture (Isa. 49:4-64Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 5And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. 6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:4‑6); Acts 13:46-48; 18:5-6; 28:24-2846Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:46‑48)
5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. (Acts 18:5‑6)
24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, 26Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. (Acts 28:24‑28); Rom. 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)). He adds, "How much more their fulness!" That is, if the failure of Israel has led to blessing going out to the Gentiles in this Day of Grace, how much more will it be so when God restores Israel! Today, blessing through the gospel has gone out to the world in a limited way, but then it will be a worldwide conversion of the Gentiles (Psa. 22:27; 47:927All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. (Psalm 22:27)
9The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. (Psalm 47:9); Isa. 2:2-32And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2‑3); Zech. 2:1111And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:11); Rev. 7:99After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9), etc.). Redeemed Israel will be God's channel of blessing to the nations in that day (Isa. 60-61, etc).
Paul says, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles" (vs. 13). He felt his responsibility toward the Gentiles, and from verse 13 to 32, he turns to speak directly to them. In interpreting this chapter, it is important to understand that Paul is not necessarily speaking of the Gentiles as believers, but of the Gentiles generically. His point is that they have had the incredible privilege of the gospel extended to them. We emphasize this because later in the chapter, he speaks of the possibility of these Gentiles being "cut off." True believers, as we know, are made part of the Church, and such will never be cut off. The Christian profession at large, however, will be judged by God and cut off (Rev. 3:1616So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)), because it has not continued in the goodness of God. Paul wanted to "magnify" his "ministry" in preaching to the Gentiles everywhere that he could, because in doing so, it might stir up some of his fellow countrymen to “jealousy,” and they would believe to the salvation of their souls (vss. 13-14).
He says, "If the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" (vs. 15) Just as surely as there has been a "casting away" of Israel, there will also be the "receiving of them" again in a coming day. Reconciliation here is not the same as in chapter 5:10-11 where all is vital and eternal. Here it is dispensational, being a provisional thing toward the Gentiles at this present time. Thus, the Gentile world has been brought near to God (in general proximity), but this is only outwardly. He says that the receiving of them (Israel) will be “life from the dead.” This is not referring to literal resurrection of human bodies (1 Thess. 4:1616For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16), etc.), nor is it speaking of Israel’s national resurrection (Isa. 26:1919Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isaiah 26:19); Ezek. 37:1-141The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. 4Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. 7So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. 8And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. 9Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. 11Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 12Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord. (Ezekiel 37:1‑14); Dan. 12:1-31And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:1‑3)), but of what will the Gentile world will experience as a result of Israel being restored to the Lord. Mr. W. Kelly said, “Whatever the divine mercy in the world’s reconciling, which we now know while the gospel goes forth to every creature, a wholly different blessedness awaits the whole world as ‘life from the dead,’ when all Israel is received back and saved....Will it not be for all on earth—‘life from the dead?’ (Notes on the Epistle to the Romans, p. 224).
Paul uses two figures to illustrate his point:
• A lump of dough.
• An olive tree.
First, as to the lump of dough, he says, "If the firstfruit [first piece of dough] be holy, the lump is also holy" (vs. 16a). The "firstfruit" is the remnant of Jewish believers at the present time who have believed the gospel. They have "pre-trusted" in Christ and are the first-fruits of the nation that will be saved in the future (vs. 5; Eph. 1:1212That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)). Thus, if by God's grace the firstfruit is holy, so will "the lump" be holy. The lump is the nation in a coming day, when they believe on Christ (vs. 26). Paul's point is that the few Jewish believers today—“a remnant according to the election of grace” (vs. 5)—are really a pledge or guarantee that the rest are true Israelites going to be saved. The existence of the remnant at this present time (the firstfruit) is evidence that the nation (the lump) will be saved in the future. By this we know that God has not given up on Israel; there is blessing in store for the nation.
Paul then passes on to the other figure—“the olive tree” (vss. 16b-32). He says, "If the root be holy, so are the branches.” The "root" is an allusion to Abraham, the father of the nation, who was set apart in a place of "holy" association with God (Isa. 51:22Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. (Isaiah 51:2)). Paul’s point here is that if the root (Abraham) is in an outward place of blessing, so also are “the branches” (Abraham’s descendants). However, being branches does not necessarily mean that all of Abraham’s descendants are born of God. They were in a place relative sanctification. Thus, as Paul has spoken of reconciliation (vs. 15), so he also speaks of sanctification (vs. 16)—both are a relative thing, not something vital and absolute.
Three Aspects of Sanctification
There are three aspects of sanctification (holiness) in Scripture that we must not confuse:
• There is absolute or positional sanctification as found in Acts 26:1818To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18); 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 6:112Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2)
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)
11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11); 2 Thessalonians 2:1313But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2 Thessalonians 2:13); Hebrews 10:10, 1410By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14); and 1 Peter 1:22Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2). This has to do with believers being set apart to God through being born again and being saved.
• There is progressive or practical sanctification, as in John 17:17-1917Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:17‑19); Romans 6:19-2219I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:19‑22); 2 Cor. 7:11Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1); Ephesians 5:26-2726That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:26‑27); 1 Thessalonians 4:4-7; 5:234That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; 5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:4‑7)
23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23); Hebrews 12:1414Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14). This has to do with the exercise of believers’ perfecting holiness in their lives.
• There is relative sanctification, which has to do with a person being set in a place of outward association with something holy.
Relative sanctification is also seen in 1 Corinthians 7:1414For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. (1 Corinthians 7:14), but in an entirely different connection. In that case, an unbelieving husband is said to be "holy" because of his association with his believing wife. It does not mean that he is saved, but that he is in a place of holy privilege. Relative sanctification is also seen in Hebrews 10:2929Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29), but in a different connection again. The Jews who professed faith in Christ, and took a Christian position, were in a sanctified place, but it does not mean that they were saved. The writer of Hebrews warns them that if they abandoned that Christian position, they would prove to be apostates, and there would be nothing but judgment for them (Heb. 10:30-3130For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:30‑31)). Paul's point here in Romans 11:1616For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16) is that if the "root" of the nation (Abraham) has been set in a holy place of privilege in relation to God, then the "branches" (Abraham's descendants—the nation of Israel) are in that place too (Deut. 7:6; 14:26For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6)
2For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:2); 1 Kings 8:5353For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God. (1 Kings 8:53); Amos 3:33Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3)). He is not speaking of what is vital through new birth, but being in a place of favour and privilege through their association with Abraham.
The Olive Tree
Vss. 17-22—The illustration of "the olive tree" shows that God's governmental displeasure has been against Israel (on account of their unbelief), and thus they have been removed from their place of favour and privilege, and it has given to the Gentiles. This does not mean that Israel's blessings have been spiritually transferred to the Church—the error of Reformed (Covenant/Replacement) Theology. The passage concerns Israel's privilege of being in a place of outward association with God, not Israel's blessings being given to the Church.
Israel had once occupied that place of privilege, just as the natural branches of the olive tree were connected to the "root." But through their disobedience, and ultimately their rejection of Christ, those "branches" have been "broken off," and branches from a "wild olive tree" (the Gentiles) have been "grafted in." The wild olive branches refer to those of the Christian profession (which is largely composed of Gentiles – Acts 15:14; 28:2814Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (Acts 15:14)
28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. (Acts 28:28)). The branches in this passage do not refer to believers, but rather to persons (some real, and some not), being in a place of outward favour with God. Hence, the wild olive branches do not represent the Church, but rather those who profess faith in Christ in this Day of Grace. (If the branches were true believers, then this would be teaching that it is possible for a believer to lose his salvation, because verse 22 states that they will be "cut off" if they don't continue in the goodness of God. Scripture teaches that this is impossible; believers are eternally secure – John 10:27-2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28), etc.).
The fact that the passage is written to those who represent the wild olive branches shows that at the time of Paul's writing this epistle, Israel was viewed as already being set aside in the ways of God. Notice also that he says that "some" of the natural branches have been broken off; he did not say all of them, because there is the remnant of Jews who have believed the gospel (vs. 5). The natural branches being "broken off," refers to the nation of Israel being set aside nationally in the dealings of God. Micah 5:33Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. (Micah 5:3) attests to this. He states that in view of the Messiah being rejected by the Jews, He would "give them up" until a time of travail comes upon them—which refers to the Great Tribulation. The wild olive branches that have been grafted in are warned that they, too, will be "cut off," if they don't "continue in His goodness" (vs. 22). This refers to the privilege that is presently being shown to Christendom being taken away through judgment (Rev. 3:1616So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)). Revelation 2-3 is evidence that the Christian profession has not continued in the goodness of God and awaits judgment. There is no mention in Scripture of Christendom being restored.
Vss. 23-24—Paul then speaks of the possibility and the inevitability of the "natural branches" being grafted in again. This obviously refers to God’s taking up with Israel again, in a national way. The condition is simply, "If they abide not still in unbelief." That is, if they give up on their stubborn unbelief—which a remnant of the nation will do in a coming day.
The Mystery of Israel's Blindness—A Temporary Thing
Vs. 25—Paul then says that he did not want the brethren to be "ignorant" of the "mystery" of Israel's blindness. It is quite possible that we could be lifted up in pride ("wise in your own conceits"), thinking that we are better than Israel. It is only "blindness in part" that has happened to Israel because there is a remnant that has believed the gospel. And, that blindness will only continue "until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." This refers to the complete number of elect persons who will believe the gospel going forth today. The Lord will then take the Church home to heaven at the Rapture (John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3); 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). After this, the Lord will take up with Israel again and the Jews will then enter "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:77Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7)), also called "the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth" (Micah 5:33Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. (Micah 5:3)), and the "great tribulation" (Matt. 24:2121For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)). Through the intense pressure of this trial, a remnant of God-fearing Jews will "turn to the Lord" in repentance about their national sin of crucifying Him (2 Cor. 3:11Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? (2 Corinthians 3:1)6a). See also Isaiah 53. Immediately, "the vail" that has been over their eyes and hearts "shall be taken away" (2 Cor. 3:11Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? (2 Corinthians 3:1)6b). "They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him" in repentance (Zech. 12:1010And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)), and then the Lord will open a "fountain" (figuratively) for the cleansing of their sin, whereupon they will be restored to Him (Zech. 13:11In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (Zechariah 13:1)). "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness" (Isa. 29:1818And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. (Isaiah 29:18)). And again, "The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken" (Isa. 32:33And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. (Isaiah 32:3)).
The Scriptures State That the Lord Will Come Out of Zion and Save Israel
Chap. 11:26-32—This brings Paul to a third proof that God is not finished with Israel—the Word of God (particularly the Old Testament Prophets) plainly states that the Lord will save "all Israel." Since this clearly hasn't happened yet, it is a promise that is yet to be fulfilled. If God has pledged with His Word that He will do this, He cannot go back on it. If He were to go back on His Word, then He would have more to lose than Israel! He would lose His honour and reputation, and show Himself to be a God that cannot be trusted! Since He cannot and will not deny Himself, His Word shall stand. "God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Num. 23:1919God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)).
In saying that "all Israel shall be saved" we know from what Paul has already taught us in chapter 9:6-8 that this refers to all true Israelites. That is, those who have not only Abraham's bloodline, but also Abraham's faith. The aspect of salvation here is not only that of the soul, but also in a literal sense—saved from their enemies and established as a nation in Christ's future millennial kingdom (vss. 26-27). Paul quotes Isaiah 59:20-2120And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. 21As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. (Isaiah 59:20‑21) as an example of a prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled in connection with Israel's national blessing.
Vss. 28-29—Still addressing the Gentiles, Paul has shown that God has blessing for both Israel and the Gentiles, but in two different ways and at two different times. He says, "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes." The Gentiles can thank God that Israel has stumbled, because it has opened the door for their sakes. But that doesn't mean that it's all over for Israel. He says, "But as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes," and will be blessed some day in the future. He assures us of this, stating that "the gifts and calling of God" in connection with Israel, are "without repentance." That is, God will not repent (change His mind) of what He has promised to Israel. Hence, the promises made to the fathers and the prophecies made by their Prophets concerning Israel's blessing are sure.
Vss. 30-32—Paul concludes his remarks by stating that when it comes to God's blessing for man, whether for Jews or for Gentiles, it all comes down to His sovereign goodness and mercy. While the Gentiles have "now obtained mercy" through Israel's "unbelief," "they (Israel) also may obtain mercy" in the same way in the future. Thus, “God hath shut up together all in unbelief, in order that He might show mercy to all.” Hence the gospel Paul preached did not in any way conflict with the promises of God to Israel.
Three Expressions Used in Scripture In Connection With the Gentiles
• "The Times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:2424And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24))—This refers to the period of time when "the throne of the LORD," which denotes His power in government (1 Chron. 29:2323Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. (1 Chronicles 29:23)), has been transferred to the Gentiles (Dan. 2:37; 5:18-1937Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. (Daniel 2:37)
18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor: 19And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. (Daniel 5:18‑19)), on account of Israel's failure (2 Chron. 36:14-2114Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. 15And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 17Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 18And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. 19And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 20And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: 21To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. (2 Chronicles 36:14‑21)). This period of time began in 606 B.C. and will close at the Appearing of Christ (Luke 21:24-2824And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:24‑28)). The government of the earth during this time has passed through four successive Gentile empires—the Babylonians, the Medes and Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans. During the Roman rule, God introduced an interposed heavenly calling of the Church by the gospel as a parenthesis in His dealings with the earth, after which "the throne of the LORD" will once again be given to redeemed Israel and established in Jerusalem when Christ will reign as King over all the earth (Jer. 3:1717At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. (Jeremiah 3:17); Dan. 2:35, 4435Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. (Daniel 2:35)
44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Daniel 2:44); Zech. 14:99And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:9); Psa. 47:77For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. (Psalm 47:7)).
• "The riches [wealth] of the Gentiles" (Rom. 11:1212Now 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? (Romans 11:12))—This refers to the special favour that God has extended to the Gentiles in giving them an opportunity to hear the gospel.
Paul's Doxology
Vss. 33-36—At this point, Paul has reached the summit of truth in the epistle. Like a mountain climber who has reached the peak of the mountain that he has been climbing and turns around to look back to see how far he has come, Paul looks back over the trail of mercy and grace that he has expounded in the foregoing chapters, and spontaneously breaks out in a doxology of praise to God for His wisdom and ways. Nothing could be more appropriate to such a story of grace! It depicts what ought to be the response of every Christian.
In this doxology, we see that the Apostle's heart is full of praise and admiration for God's great plan to save and bless both Jews and Gentiles. Seven great attributes of God are mentioned: the “riches,” the “wisdom,” the “knowledge,” the “judgments,” the “ways,” the “mind,” and the counsel of God. All of these things have worked together to secure our blessing in a way that is beyond understanding.
Paul ends by acknowledging that all good and blessing have their source in God Himself; it is all "of Him." Everything that He has brought to pass for the blessing of man is "through Him," and will ultimately return "to Him" for His own glory. This shows that God is the Source of all good, the Agent of all good, and the Object of all good. Everything has been designed to bring "glory" to Him, and will bring glory to Him in the day of Christ's manifestation. Paul rightly concludes the doxology with a hearty "Amen" ("So be it").
Three Great Pauline Doxologies