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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 11
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary ,which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Romans 11 continues the paradoxical relationship between election and gospel. OT election was for service, while NT election is for salvation (check your concordance!). In a sense believers are called to be both God's family (NT) and servants (OT). Election is both corporate and individual, positive and negative (Jacob/Israel-Esau/Edom; Moses/Pharaoh). Ultimately the tension is not only between God's sovereignty and human's free will, but in the very character of God. Romans 9-11 emphasizes again and again the mercy of God and the rebellion of fallen mankind. God is faithful, human are faithless.
Election is not a doctrine to exclude some, but a foundation of hope, security and confidence for those who have responded to (1) the promises and (2) the Son of the covenant-making God.
B. In chapter 9 Paul asserted the sovereignty and freedom of God. Even in a covenant relationship, God is free. In Romans 10 Paul asserted that the Jews were free to accept or reject God's promises and covenants. Since they proved to be unfaithful and rejected God's promises and covenant, they were, in one sense, rejected by God. However, in Romans 11, Paul will affirm God's faithfulness, even in the face of Israel's unfaithfulness (cf. Deuteronomy 8).
C. In the past, as in the present, a Jewish remnant believed and exercised faith in God's Messiah. Paul himself was an example of this. The rejection of some unbelieving Jews allowed the inclusion of the believing Gentiles. The inclusion of the Gentiles will result in the (1) the complete people of God or (2) the full number of God's elect, both Jew and Gentile. This Gentile inclusion will motivate Israel to trust in God's Messiah, Jesus.
D. As in Romans 9, 10, Paul uses several OT quotes in Romans 11.
1. Rom_11:3 - 1Ki_19:14
2. Rom_11:4 - 1Ki_19:18
3. Rom_11:8 - Isa_29:10 and Deu_29:4
4. Rom_11:9 - Psa_69:22
5. Rom_11:10 - Psa_69:23
6. Rom_11:26 - Isa_59:20-21
7. Rom_11:27 - Isa_27:9
8. Rom_11:34 - Isa_40:13-14
9. Rom_11:35 - Job_35:7; Job_41:11
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. How did Israel miss God's way of salvation?
2. What two reasons does Paul give to prove that God has not rejected Israel?
3. Why did God harden the Jews' hearts? How?
4. What is meant by the concept of a Jewish "remnant" (Rom_11:2-5)?
5. Define the term "mystery" in the NT.
6. What does Rom_11:26 mean? Why? How is it related to Rom_9:6?
7. What warning does Paul give to the Gentile believers (Rom_11:17-24)?