Romans 9: 1 - 6

GOD’S SELECTION OF ISRAEL

Romans 9:1-29

Life Application New Testament Commentary:

The end of chapter 8 marks the conclusion of the first major section of Romans. Paul has discussed the doctrines of our being made right with God and our ultimate future. But before Paul moves on to address practical concerns of local church life (in chapters 12–15), he feels compelled to speak about God’s plan for the Gentiles and the Jews, Paul’s very own people.

Rom 9:1 With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. Rom 9:2 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief Rom 9:3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ! —if that would save them.

Paul has been talking to the Gentiles a lot. The Jewish people were thinking that he had forsaken them. The Jewish people had always thought that they were chosen and there would be no others. At one time that may have been true, but after Christ it no longer was true. Paul in these three verse indicates he would trade his salvation for theirs but of course that could not happen.

Rom 9:4 They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's adopted children. God revealed His glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them His law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping Him and receiving His wonderful promises. Rom 9:5 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ Himself was an Israelite as far as His human nature is concerned. And He is God, the One who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Paul points out their wonderful history with God. He pointed out that Christ was also a Jew. I think that Jews at this time were in a rut. They had always been the chosen why should that change. They failed to gasp why Christ died on the cross.

Mat 8:9  I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it."

Mat 8:10 When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel! Mat 8:11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. Mat 8:12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Mat 8:13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour.

Jesus understood that gentiles also would be included in the kingdom of heaven.

Rom 9:6 Well then, has God failed to fulfill His promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God's people!

There are three verses that show Paul was right. Especially the last one. Rom_2:28-29; ²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. ²⁹ But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.Rom_11:5-6; ⁵ In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s ^[a]gracious choice. ⁶ But if it is by grace, it is no longer ^[b]on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. Gal_3:7-9 ⁷ Therefore, ^[a]be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. ⁸ The Scripture, foreseeing that God ^[b]would justify the ^[c]Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with ^[d]Abraham, the believer.

Note the last verse “All the nations will be blessed in you.” That does not mean the 12 tribes of Israel but All this includes us.