God’s Mysterious Plan
for Jews and Gentiles
Romans 9:1-11:36
Explanation:
As we have seen throughout Romans, Paul leads his argument along by way of
questions and answers. So Paul begins
this unit with a general statement in 9:1-13 that leads to a series of
questions. The first set of questions
deal with the fact that not all in Israel are truly Israel and that this fact
is in accordance with God’s election of some (9:14-29). Paul then addresses why Israel has not
obtained righteousness: because they did not pursue it on the basis of faith
(9:30-10:21). The remainder of the section
explores the dynamics of the faith that justifies, recapping some of the claims
Paul made in 3:21-31.
But
Paul continues to express his hope for ethnic Israel. Even among the disobedient, Paul insists that
there is a remnant of ethnic Israel
that is chosen (11:1-10). But even
beyond these, Paul believes that even those who have stumbled, those whom God
has hardened, will come around in the mystery of God’s plan (11:11, 25-31). The section, and indeed the first part of
Romans ends with a doxology.
Patterns and Themes
- Contrast between the elect and the hardened. Concomitant contrast between true Israel
and hardened Israel,
between elect Gentiles and hardened Israel. Contrast
between the current faith status of ethnic Israel and their future one. Recurring
hope for Israel’s
salvation on Paul’s part.
- Causation by God of some to faith and others to
hardening, captured in the general
statement of 9:18, “He has mercy on the one whom he wishes, and he hardens
the one whom he wishes.” Recurring theme of the sovereignty
of God to choose.
- The usual question-answer
pattern helps Paul’s thought progress.
- Climactic doxology at the end.