Untitled Sermon (2)

Romans 9:1 NKJV

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

Function of chapters 9-11 is to address the question, “if this is the gospel (1-8) about a Jewish God and Jewish Messiah, involving Jewish people (ex. Abraham & David), why then has the majority of Israel not received it and been saved?

Key Text: Romans 9:6. Has God’s word Failed?

Ch. 9-11 continue the discussion started in ch. 3 and contain many parallels.

Romans 9:4 NKJV

who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;

This list is a continuation of what Paul began in Romans 3:2.

“chiefly” or firstly” they received the oracles or word of God. Now Paul tells us the rest.

Adoption: Israel was God’s firstborn. Ex. 4:22; cf. Ho. 11:1. God was their Father. Je. 31:9

Glory: The glory of God dwelt with them. Ex. 29:42ff.; 40:34ff

Covenants: to Abraham Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 17:2, Moses Ex. 24:8, David 2 Sa. 23:5

Law: Transcript of God’s character. Dt. 4:7f

Service: referring to the temple service. 1 Ki. 8:10f

Promises:

Fathers:

Christ:

Romans 9:1 NKJV

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

The reason he mentions so strongly that he is not lying is because some Jews may have thought him a traitor given how many gentiles he brought to salvation. Did Paul not love his people anymore?

Romans 9:3 NKJV

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

Accursed. Gk: anathema.

Paul is wishing that he was condemned under God’s wrath in place of the jews so they can be saved.

This alludes to Exodus 32:30-32.

Moses intercedes for the Israelites for their sin willing to have his own name blotted from the book of life.

This demonstrated his self-sacrificial character. The same character that was in Christ (Isaiah 53:8; 1 Peter 2:24) and now in Paul.