Romans 11

Description

Romans 11 reveals God's intricate and sovereign plan for both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing the necessity of faith and warning against the peril of boasting.

Illustrations

King Saul: The Danger of Boasting in Heritage

King Saul, Israel's first king, began his reign with humility but eventually grew prideful and relied on his own wisdom instead of God's. He took pride in his position and lineage, failing to recognize that his authority came from God. As a result, the kingdom was taken from him and given to David, a man after God's own heart. This life account serves as a sober reminder that boasting in one's heritage or position can lead to downfall. It echoes Romans 11's warning to Gentiles not to boast against Israel but rather to recognize God's ongoing plan for His people.

Jephthah: A Lesson in Humble Inclusion

Jephthah, a Judge of Israel, was the son of a prostitute and was driven out by his half-brothers because of his birth. Yet, when Israel was in distress, they called him back to lead them. Jephthah didn’t boast against his brothers but recognized that his strength and position were by God's grace. His life illustrates the importance of acknowledging that God’s plans often include those whom society might overlook or disdain. This aligns well with Romans 11’s instruction for Gentiles not to boast against the natural branches, Israel, but to realize that they too are included in God’s plans by grace.

The Penitent Thief: From Boasting to Humble Faith

One of the thieves crucified beside Jesus initially joined in mocking Him. However, as he witnessed Jesus' demeanor and heard His words, he repented and asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. This man went from boasting in his own suffering to humbly acknowledging Christ as King. His last-minute change of heart is a vivid illustration of Romans 11’s principle. It's never too late to stop boasting in our own position, ethnicity, or heritage and to start standing by faith in Jesus, who invites all to be grafted into the promise of eternal life.

By reflecting on these lives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the need to avoid boasting against Israel—or against anyone—recognizing that God's grace is the source of all blessings and privileges we may enjoy.

What is the Context of Romans 11?

Romans 11 is situated in a pivotal section of the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, serving as the concluding chapter of a three-chapter discourse (Romans 9-11) that addresses the issue of Israel’s unbelief and God’s sovereign plan for both Jews and Gentiles. The book of Romans is fundamentally a comprehensive exposition of the gospel, outlining the sinfulness of humanity, the saving work of Jesus Christ, and the transformative power of faith. In Romans 9-11, Paul grapples with the tension between God's promises to Israel and the reality that many Jews have rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Romans 11 resolves this tension by revealing that God has not forsaken Israel; rather, He has a remnant chosen by grace and a future plan to bring ethnic Israel to faith. This chapter thus serves as a theological climax that unifies God's dealings with both Israel and the Church within the framework of His eternal purposes.

What is the Main Idea of Romans 11?

The main idea of Romans 11 is that God has not rejected Israel; rather, He is working through both Israel's unbelief and the inclusion of the Gentiles to fulfill His sovereign and redemptive plan for all people.

What One Thing Does Romans 11 Require Us to Do?

You Should Avoid Boasting Against Israel.

The implicit imperatives in Romans 11, particularly in verses 18 and 20, serve as a warning against arrogance toward the natural branches, which are Israel. Paul’s admonition to the Gentile believers is clear: do not be conceited but stand by faith. The underlying Greek word for boasting, "kauchaomai," and for fear, "phobos," underscore the need for humility and reverent reliance on God's grace. This humility should extend to our understanding of God's sovereign plans for both Jews and Gentiles in the larger scope of redemptive history. Therefore, Romans 11 instructs us to refrain from boasting against Israel and, by implication, to recognize and respect God’s ongoing purposes for His chosen people.

There are several reasons we should avoid boasting against Israel.

1. Because God Preserves a Remnant (Romans 11:1-10)

Paul opens this chapter by emphasizing that God has not forsaken His people Israel, answering in the negative to his own rhetorical question. The term "remnant" in Greek is "leimma," which means what is left, or remainder. The same term is used in Romans 9:27, speaking of Isaiah crying over Israel, and emphasizing that only a remnant will be saved. This showcases the wisdom of God in His sovereign election. God has a remnant chosen by grace, and this has been the pattern throughout Israel's history, such as during the time of Elijah. We should avoid boasting against Israel because God always keeps a remnant, fulfilling His promises even when it seems improbable.

2. Because You Stand By Faith (Romans 11:11-24)

The term "grafted" in Greek is "enkentrizo," implying the act of inserting a shoot into a stock. The same term is used in verse 19 and 23, to indicate both the grafting in of the Gentiles and the potential grafting back of the Jews. While it may seem counterintuitive, God’s wisdom had a redemptive plan that extended grace to all. The key admonition to Gentiles is not to be arrogant but to stand by faith, captured by the Greek term "phobos," meaning fear. We should avoid boasting against Israel, because we only stand by faith. Without God’s intricate and gracious plan, we would also be cut off for unbelief.

3. Because God Redeems Israel (Romans 11:25-32)

The term "mystery" in Greek is "mysterion," which Paul uses to describe God's plans that were previously hidden but are now revealed. The term also appears in Romans 16:25, describing the mystery that is now disclosed through prophetic writings. In Romans 11, this mystery is that Israel has experienced a "partial hardening" until the full inclusion of the Gentiles, after which all Israel will be saved. This may seem paradoxical but is entirely consistent with God’s wise and comprehensive redemptive plan. We should avoid boasting against Israel because God’s redemptive plan reveals a wisdom that incorporates both Israel and the Gentiles. He will ultimately save Israel, fulfilling His covenant promises to her.

In summary, Romans 11 provides compelling reasons to avoid boasting against Israel: God preserves a remnant, makes Gentiles stand by faith, and has a future redemption for Israel. Each of these reasons manifests God’s intricate, wise, and sovereign orchestration of events for His glory. Therefore, we should heed the implicit imperatives in Romans 11 to maintain a humble posture that respects and recognizes God’s ongoing purposes for His chosen people, Israel.

Invitation

Romans 11 reveals the wondrous wisdom of God in His dealings with both Jews and Gentiles. The chapter unfolds God's intricate plan of salvation that spans ethnicities and generations. It tells us that God has not rejected His people, Israel, but rather has extended His grace to the Gentiles as well, fulfilling His promises in ways that we could never have imagined.

This magnificent wisdom and grace are most fully displayed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as God's plan included both Jews and Gentiles, so the gospel invitation is open to all. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), but the good news is that God has provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came to earth to die on the cross as a substitutionary atonement for our sins. He met God's righteous demands against our sinfulness and then rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

By faith in Jesus Christ, you too can partake in this divine plan of salvation. God's grace is freely extended to you, regardless of your background, culture, or past mistakes. Stand by faith in Him, just as Romans 11 instructs us. Do not boast in your own efforts or lineage but rather in God's kindness that leads to repentance and faith.

Turn away from self-reliance and pride, and humbly accept the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Place your trust in Him today, acknowledging His death and resurrection as the sufficient payment for your sins, and you will be grafted into God’s eternal family, becoming part of His magnificent plan of redemption. Amen.

Bibliography

ChatGPT. "The Theological and Practical Implications of Romans 11: A Comprehensive Study." OpenAI, 2023.

Bibliography

ChatGPT. "The Theological and Practical Implications of Romans 11: A Comprehensive Study." OpenAI, 2023.

Keywords

Romans, Romans 11, Israel, Gentiles, Remnant, Faith, Boasting

Description

Romans 11 reveals God's intricate and sovereign plan for both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing the necessity of faith and warning against the peril of boasting.