Romans 9 through 11

Clay and potter sketch 3 (2)

Chapters 9 through 11 of the book of Romans is foundational to understanding the Bible and our place in the biblical narrative. So, naturally, our in-depth study of these chapters is foundational to much of this blog.

I gave a short overview of these chapters for Thrive Gig Harbor:

Audio only:
http://www.thriveharbor.com/romans/2019/8/15/20-romans-9-11-an-overview-david-baumgaertel

Our six-part expository series on Romans 9 through 11 is as follows:

Part 1 – Introduction/The Starting Assumptions/The Context

Part 2 – Has the Word of God Failed? 9:1 through 9:16

Part 3 – Clay in the Potter’s Hand/The Stumbling Stone. 9:17 through 10:5

Part 4 – The Word is Near You/Israel is Not Totally Rejected. 10:6 through 11:10

Part 5 – Israel is Not Permanently Rejected. 11:11 through 11:27

Conclusion – The Gifts and Calling of God Are Irrevocable. 11:28 through 11:36

The whole essay can be downloaded as a PDF here.

THE SUMMARY

Below is an outline of the three chapters that might be a helpful framework when reading this series. To answer the question, “How can we trust God’s promise to us, when Israel seems to be rejecting the gospel? Has God kept His promise to them?” the Holy Spirit through Paul has shown:

  1. (9:6-13) Not all of physical Israel is true Israel (not all are recipients of the promise to Israel)

    1. (9:10-13) Israel’s lineage won’t save them because mercy is given by God and no one can lay claim to it

      1. (9:14-16) The mercy of their national election was by grace
      2. (9:16-18) God, because He is God, has the right to judge

    2. (9:17-22) God can and does righteously use the unrighteousness of men

      1. (9:15) What God says to Moses (a loaded context from Ex 33)
      2. (9:17-18) The illustration of Pharaoh
      3. (9:19-24) Potter’s vessels

    3. (9:25-29) Proof is in the prophecy

    4. (9:30-10:21) Israel has not attained righteousness because they sought their own

      1. (9:30-33) they stumbled at the stumbling stone (Jesus), whose righteousness they need
      2. (9:30-10:4) that righteousness is attained by faith, not law
      3. (10:5-13) This principle has always been in the word of God,
        1. (10:14-15) the word demands a preacher because it needs to be heard!
        2. (10:16-18) They have heard, but they have not all obeyed the gospel
      4. (10:17-20) They were warned that they would be provoked by God granting mercy to Gentiles
      5. (10:21) God had shown great patience with a disobedient and contrary people, but even now…

  2. (11:1-10) They are not totally rejected

    1. (11:1) Paul is proof

    2. (11:2-6) The nation’s present condition is like Elijah’s time

      1. (11:3-5) God had a remnant then, and He has one now
      2. (11:6) The remnant is His doing

    3. (11:7-8) To summarize, Israel has not attained what it seeks, but the elect remnant has, and the mass is blinded

  3. (11:11-33) They are not finally rejected

    1. (11:11-24) They were blinded for a purpose

      1. (11:11-12) To save Gentiles as Gentiles
      2. (11:13-15) That they may be provoked to jealousy
      3. (11:16-24) Illustration of the Olive Tree.

    2. (11:25) Their blindness will end when that purpose is complete

    3. (11:26-27) All Israel will be saved at a future time

    4. (11:28) Because the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable