testing 5-2-1

This post is the first in a series on chapters 9, 10, and 11 of the book of Romans. Each part is adapted from an essay I wrote from my personal study of this passage. The essay can be found here.

Difficult But Worth It

Romans 9 through 11 is one of the most profound passages in the Bible. Yet it can be one of the most bewildering, especially compared to chapters 1 through 8. At first glance, we can see the major themes: the sovereignty of God, election, Israel, the promise made to the patriarchs, Gentiles, mercy, and faith. Clearly, the correct interpretation of this passage has great impact on wide ranging topics. It affects the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, the nature of the present age, and God’s plan for Israel and Gentiles. Which are all important to the interpretation of the rest of scripture.

The chain of reasoning just isn’t obvious to most Christians. Usually, if chapter 9 seems clear, chapter 11 is utterly confounding, and chapter 10 seems redundant to earlier chapters. At best, they seem disjointed. To make matters worse, Bible commentaries differ wildly. So what is the key to understanding these chapters? Can we hope to come to a conclusion on the matter, or will this portion of scripture always remain hazy?

After careful study, this passage should not only become clear, but also prove to be one of the most thrilling portions of scripture, revealing much about the character and wisdom of God. As the apostle Peter would say, some of these things are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16). But with the Holy Spirit’s enablement, we can grasp the true meaning of this magnificent portion of God’s word, and rejoice with the Apostle when he writes: “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! … For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33, 36)

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