Romans: Theology for Everybody (6-11)Sample

If you take the nation of Israel and Jewish people out of the Bible starting with Abraham and culminating with the coming of Jesus Christ, there is pretty much nothing left. You would assume that the largest movement of any kind in world history – the Christian church – would be filled with Jewish people. However, the vast majority of believers around the world today are Gentiles, whereas most Jewish people have no interest in Jesus. 

Paul, who writes this, is Jewish, and the Apostle to Gentiles as we learned in the previous section. In 11:25-32, we learn that this “partial hardening” of their hearts is not necessarily a permanent hardening. Paul says that the Jewish rejection of Christ is only a temporary situation that will be replaced by salvation once the full number of Gentiles appointed for salvation have experienced salvation. Paul shows that God has called Israel to Himself and that God will not fail in accomplishing his purposes. Paul also states that just as the Gospel was originally kept by the Jews, then delivered to the Gentiles, so too the Gentiles now keep the gospel and will one day deliver it back to the Jews. Paul calls this future a mystery. 

This section is one of the most controversial passages in the entire New Testament. For simplicity’s sake, there are two basic broad theological views of this section, and related sections of the New Testament. 

1) Replacement theology (also called supersessionism) which is a subsection of Covenant Theology sees the Church as having replaced Israel in all of God’s promises. Abraham began as a Gentile, was saved by grace through faith, and birthed the nation of Israel. Subsequently, whether one is Jewish or Gentile does not matter as all that matters is faith in Jesus Christ. Anyone can trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Today, the Church has replaced Israel as the fulfilment of all promises, prophecies, blessings and all references to a future restoration of the Promised Land are to be spiritually interpreted as the Heavenly Home for all of God’s people. 

2) Dispensational theology teaches that there are two peoples of God and He generally does not work through both equally and simultaneously. In the Old Testament, God worked through the Jewish Israel. Today, God is working through the Gentile Church. One day, God will remove the Gentile Church with the rapture of the saints, and there will be a return of God working on and through Jewish Israel for a massive evangelistic harvest at the end of human history before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Those holding this view look forward to a full restoration of Israel as a nation before the return of Christ.

Having now spoken in chapters 9-11 about election, Israel, Gentiles, the remnant, and ingrafting, Paul suddenly transitions from discussing human salvation to adoring God in heartfelt wonder (11:33-35). It is as if Paul has exhausted his understanding of this so called "mystery" and recognizes that at the point where understanding ceases, poetry and worship naturally begin. Paul begins by adoring God’s knowledge (understanding of all things) and wisdom (practical insight on how to respond to specific circumstances). He then moves to God’s judgments, paths, mind, counsel, and selfless giving. Paul then concludes by declaring that ultimately, all things come from God, exist through God, and return to God. The big idea is simple – everything from world history to your life are under the rule of God who has it all figured out. We can trust Him to do what is best, even when we cannot understand what He is doing. While we wait to see His plan unfold, the best thing today is to worship Him, enjoy Him, and trust Him. 

Reflection:

1. Paul says that we need to leave some things in the category of “mystery” which means God will figure it out in the future and we can trust Him. What other things would be well-served to live in the “mystery” category and not become overly dogmatic about? 

2. Which part of 11:33-36 is your favorite thing to remember about God? 

3. Paul talks about a group of people who walked away from Christ, but he longs that they would return. Who do you know that you feel the same way about?