The Objector
The Divine purpose for All Humanity • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Major topics of the Gospel
Reality of Humanity under Sin (1:18-3:20)
Justification by Faith, not works of the Law (3:21-5:21)
Sanctification by the Spirit, not through Law (6-8)
Response/result of Jewish rejection of Jesus (9-11)
Practical application for believers (12-15:13)
Paul’s Ministry/plans (15:14-31)
Final greeting (16)
Meaningful transition
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37–39, ESV)
“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” (Romans 9:1–3, ESV)
Paul shifts from a great High point (the endless love of God in Christ Jesus) to having great sorrow and Grief. Why?
Objector
“One of the key aspects to understanding our view of Romans 9 is who we think the objector is. Throughout Romans, Paul introduces an objector who asks questions that Paul then answers. For the Calvinist, the objector is an obstinate unbeliever who objects to their view of sovereignty as defined as meticulous determinism. We see the objector as a hardened Jew who is questioning God’s choice to bless the Gentiles with salvation through faith since it was the Jew who historically kept the oracles of God, and through whom the Messiah came.“ (Eric Kemp, Romans 9: A (Brief) Non-Calvinist Reading)
Objector - Obstinate Unbeliever or Hardened Jew
Who is Paul addressing in this text?
Who is Paul addressing in this text?
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.” (Romans 9:3–4, ESV)
Israelites
Brother (adelphos) - “a person belonging to the same socio-religious entity and being of the same age group as the so-called reference person—‘brother, fellow countryman, fellow Jew, associate.’" (Louw-Nida)
Kinsmen - “a person who is a member of the same lineage or tribe ‘nation’—‘fellow countryman.’" (Louw-Nida) (…In the Flesh)
Israelites - “the ethnic name of a person belonging to the nation of Israel—‘Israelite’" (Louw-Nida)
They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
“They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 9:4–5, ESV)
Paul is addressing the Jews currently. He has been consistent with the Jews being the objector throughout his letter.
Paul starts Rom 9 addressing the Jews and continues addressing them throughout Rom 9-11.
Some might say 1-6 – Jews, 7-29 – Unbelievers, 30-33 – Jews).
Some will interpret the text as God’s sovereign choice (9), Mans responsibility (10).
I do not see any evidence in the text for this shift. I understand Paul addressing the Jews throughout this text and bringing in the Gentiles in Rom 11:13.
“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.” (Romans 11:13–14, ESV)
Paul is going to use illustrations from history/scripture to help the Jews understand their current reality. Jews rejection of Jesus as their Messiah and living in unbelief.
Jewish Objector is consistent with the entire letter.
It is consistent to see the objector of Paul as a Jewish person that is pushing back on Paul’s teaching or the gospel.
Paul starts using this literary technique of asking and answering questions he believes will be asked in opposition to his teaching, after addressing the Jews about law and circumcision.
But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
“But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” (Romans 2:29, ESV)
Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
“Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?” (Romans 3:1, ESV) (cf. Rom 3:5, 3:9, 6:1, 6:15, 7:7, 9:14, 11:1, and 11:11)
Paul took their understanding of the Law and circumcision and turned it on its head.
Then we see these questions coming up throughout the letter.
It makes sense to see the objector as the same person in Paul’s mind.
Paul’s history and audience.
The biggest opponent to the ministry of Paul were the Jewish leaders and people in the Synagogues in all the cities in which he preached.
Paul’s letter to Galatia was a letter addressing the confusion brought about by the Judaizers.
Paul had issues with the Jews in Thessalonica.
But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
“But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.” (Acts 17:5, ESV)
Paul left Thessalonica for Berea and had problems again with the Jews.
But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
“But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.” (Acts 17:13, ESV)
The Gospel is for the Jews first then the Gentiles.
Paul is writing this letter to the church in Rome with both Jews and Gentiles.
“The church in Rome which is a melting pot of Jew and Gentile. Sometime between 41 AD and 53 AD, the Emperor of Rome, Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome. During the time of this expulsion, Gentile Christians established a thriving church in Rome. The synagogues left behind by the Jews remained abandoned since Christians did not want to be associated with Jews for obvious religious and political reasons. The Christian church in Rome was probably a series of house churches. At some point after Claudius’ death in AD 53, his successor Nero rescinded the expulsion. Both Jewish Christians and Jews flooded back into the city. What were the Jewish Christians to do? Return to synagogue? Join Gentiles in their house churches even though the Law forbid Jews from entering the homes of Gentiles? One can imagine both Jews and Gentiles looking down on one another and having a difficult time finding a way forward in unity.” (Eric Kemp, Romans 9: A (Brief) Non-Calvinist Reading)
Paul is addressing this problem with the Gospel.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:16–17, ESV)
“He is going to spend the rest of the book showing the Jews that they have to be righteous by faith, just like the Gentiles. They cannot sit on their blood heritage as Jews and be saved.” (Eric Kemp, Romans 9: A (Brief) Non-Calvinist Reading)
How does Paul feel about them?
How does Paul feel about them?
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.” (Romans 9:1–4, ESV)
Paul’s feelings.
Great Sorrow - “a state of mental pain and anxiety—‘sadness, sorrow, distress.’" (Louw-Nida)
Anguish - “a state of severe emotional anxiety and distress—‘great distress, intense anxiety.’" (Louw-Nida)
Paul is sorrowful and anguished about the Jewish people. why? Because they have rejected Jesus as their messiah and are living in unbelief.
Paul is reflecting the heart of Moses and Jesus.
Moses after the people make and worship the golden calf.
The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.”
“The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.”” (Exodus 32:30–32, ESV)
Jesus
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39–40, ESV)
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34, ESV)
Paul is showing the same grief over the stubbornness and unbelief of the Jewish people that Jesus expressed.
Paul is not angry with the Jews, but understands that they are living in unbelief and ignorance. In that state they are rejecting the very Messiah they were, and still, long for.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:1–4, ESV)
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12–14, ESV)
Why are they hardened?
Why are they hardened?
They are hardened in their unbelief and rejection of Jesus.
Did not pursue it by faith
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
“What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,” (Romans 9:30–32, ESV)
Despite the preaching of the Gospel, they reject Jesus.
Peter and the rest of the Apostles. (in the temple and Sanhedrin)
Paul’s continual preaching and persuasion in the Synagogues.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” (Romans 10:13, ESV)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
“Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”” (Romans 10:20–21, ESV)
Jews become hardened because of their unbelief and rejection. God leaves them in their hardened condition to accomplish His purposes (Gentile inclusion).
Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
“Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.” (Romans 11:19–20, ESV)
Partial hardening upon Israel for a reason
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
“Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25, ESV)
Partial hardening - “stubborn unwillingness to learn—‘unwillingness to learn, mental stubbornness, closed mind.’ πώρωσις ἀπὸ μέρους τῷ Ἰσραὴλ γέγονεν ‘the stubbornness of Israel is for a time’ Ro 11:25." (Louw-Nida)
Pharaoh - Hardened
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (Romans 9:17–18, ESV)
Hardens - “to cause to be stubborn and obstinate, especially with regard to the truth—‘to make stubborn, to make obstinate.’ ὃν δὲ θέλει σκληρύνει ‘whom he wishes to, he makes stubborn’ Ro 9:18." (Louw-Nida)
Strengthening them in their resolve. Pharaoh in his rejection of letting Israelites go, Israelites reject Jesus as their Messiah.
Takeaway
Takeaway
Romans 9-11, Paul is addressing the issue of the Israelites rejecting Jesus as their Messiah in unbelief.
The Objector Paul is addressing in this text (and Letter) is a hardened Jew.
A hardened Jew is an Israelite the rejects Jesus in unbelief.
God holds the Israelites in a partial hardening to bring in the Gentiles.
that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
“that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” (Romans 9:2, ESV)
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1, ESV)