Romans # 19 Rom 10-19 thru 11-27
We’re going to continue on the book of Romans. Last week we left off at (ROM 10:18) so let’s pick up from there.
I. ROM 10:19-21
A. In these Vs Paul takes a little turn in his argument (in his instruction or teaching)
1. In (ROM 10:18) Paul said, “Have they not heard?” Referring to the Jews hearing the Good News.
a. But the Apostle Paul anticipated there response.
b. They might argue, “Yes, Israel heard, but she did not understand that God was going to offer righteousness by faith to all mankind, including Gentiles.”
c. So Paul quotes from Moses in (DEUT 32:21) and from Isaiah in (ISA 65:1).
i. Both OT writers wrote about God turning to the Gentiles.
B. ROM 11:1-6
1. In (V 1) Paul asks the question, “Did God reject his people?”
a. Paul then says, “God forbid.”
i. “God Forbid” is a term put in by the translators. It should actually read, “Absolutely not.”
b. Paul then uses himself as proof. He says, “I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.”
i. In other words, he’s saying, “I’m a Jew and I’ve received righteousness through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
c. Then in (V 2) Paul clearly says that God did not reject His people.
2. Then Paul’s 2nd proof that God did not reject Israel was taken from the OT during Elijah’s ministry.
a. In (1 Kings 19) Elijah cried out to God that there was no one left that still served the Lord.
i. But the Lord said to him that there was still 7000 that served Him.
ii. In other words, there was still a remnant left.
iii. If there was a remnant there is one now.
b. At the end of (V 5 through V 6) Paul emphasizes the fact that the remnant being saved is by Grace and not by works.
i. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
C. ROM 11:7-10
1. In these Vs here Paul distinguishes between all of Israel and the remnant of Israel (here called the election V 7).
a. Israel as a whole wanted to please God, but they did it by keeping the Law.
b. The elect found salvation by grace through faith.
II. ROM 11:11-12
A. (V 11) is a little blind to us. Other translations say, “Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?”
1. Paul’s answer is “God forbid” or “absolutely not.”
2. (Romans 11:12) is also a little hard to understand from the KJV.
a. The NIV says, “But if their transgression means riches for the world (others), and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!”
B. ROM 11:13-15
1. In (V13) Paul says, “I’m speaking to you Gentiles. My office is an Apostle to the Gentiles, but if some of the Jews come to the Lord because of what I am saying, then it will be live from the dead.”
C. ROM 11:16
1. In this V Paul is referring to Israel.
a. (Romans 11:16) When Paul says, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy.”
i. He’s referring to a HARVEST, and if it’s offered to the Lord as the Firstfruit, then the whole harvest is holy.
ii. The firstfruit comes 1st then the rest of the harvest.
b. In the 2nd part he says, “If the root be holy, so are the branches.”
i. The root comes 1st then the branches.
2. The firstfruit and the root is referring to Abraham who is the father of the Jews.
a. The whole harvest and the branches refers to all of Israel.
b. If Abraham is holy then all Israel is holy.
3. As a result Israel is set apart (holy) to God, and her “stumbling” (rejection of Christ) must therefore be temporary.
a. Paul believes that Israel will come to know the Lord, either before the rapture or after.
D. ROM 11:17-21
1. In these Vs Paul is saying that salvation came through the Israel nation, (mainly through Abraham), but most of the Jews have been broken off the vine and we have been grafted in.
a. In (Romans 11:18) Paul said, “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.”
i. The word “Bearest” means “Supports.”
ii. Very simply he’s saying, “If you boast, you are not supporting the root, but the root supports you.”
2. Then in (V 20-21) Paul gives us a warning.
a. If God did not spear the Jews because of their unbelief, then He will not spare us if we turn to unbelief.
i. This also shows that the teaching on “Once saved always saved” is not true.
ii. Unbelief can cause us to be broken off too.
III. ROM 11:22-24
A. Basically, what Paul is saying is that there is the Goodness of God and Severity of God.
1. Goodness for those that receive Jesus and continue in Him; and severity for those that don’t.
a. And if Israel turns to the Lord, God is able to graft them in again.
B. ROM 11:25-27
1. Paul now is using the OT to prove that the Israel nation will be saved. Not all, be most.
2. He’s quoting from Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah.
a. When will that happen? (There salvation)
b. In (V 25) Paul says “Until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”
i. That more than likely is after the rapture.
c. Thank God we don’t have to go through the tribulation. We’ll be caught up to be with the Lord before that.
WOLCC Thurs. 11/2/95