Romans 11:1-5 - Rejection

CHAPTER 11
11:1-5 - God has not rejected Jews
11:6-10 - Israel does not have it
11:11-12 - Jews’ Transgression Brought Salvation
11:13-15 - Ministry to Gentiles
11:16-21 - Cut-off vs. grafted
11:22-24 - Kindness & Severity of God
11:25-32 - Israel - for our sake
11:33-36 - Wisdom, Knowledge, All Things
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1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 
2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
3 "Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE."
4 But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL."
5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.

God Has Not Rejected Israel!

The role of Israel in the plan of salvation is further discussed in chapter 11 - see the beginning notes for chapters 9 and 10 above.

So, if the Gentiles can receive salvation without the Jews, does this mean Israel has been rejected by God? No, God has not rejected Israel. There will be a remnant saved. All of this is because of God’s grace. The Jew’s failure to believe has opened the door for the Gentiles. If Israel rejecting Jesus brought reconciliation to the world; think of the glory to come when Israel accepts Christ as Messiah and Savior.

This is a warning to Gentiles: “Don’t get cocky, kid!” (Shout out to “Stars Wars.”) Gentiles have been grafted on to the root of the family of God, whereas Israel was part of the original or natural tree. God pruned the branches of the natural tree; He can also prune the branches grafted in. Israel’s disobedience brought mercy directly to the Gentiles. Paul’s prayer is that mercy shown to the Gentiles will be a beacon calling to Israel to believe and be saved.  

V. 1 - “God has not rejected His people, has He?” - A valid question. God called the people of Israel to be His chosen people. Yet they rejected Him. They did not listen to Him. (See: Jer. 25:4ff) God gave His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin. The question is: If God provided forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ and not the Law, what need has He for the Jews? It is possible to see why the Israelites would think since the temple and sacrifices were no longer needed, then God no longer needed them. From no longer needed to rejection is a small leap.

Those asking this question (I do not believe Paul thinks the Jews have been rejected) are forgetting the promise and covenant God has made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. They are forgetting God’s promise given through Ezekiel - the Jews were His people.
In addition, however, God has also indicated that people who were not ‘His people’ were to become ‘His people’. Everyone who believes will be His People!

V. 2 - “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” - God made a promise to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation.” (See; Gen. 12:2-3, 13:14ff; 15:1-5; 17:15). They are reminded by Joshua all the things God has done for them. It was not by their efforts, but by God’s power. (See: Josh. 23:8-10, 24:1-15) They were reminded they would only be successful if they relied wholly and completely on God (See: Josh. 24:14-24). The people vowed three times to serve the Lord (Josh. 24:18, 21, 24) It was the Israelites who rejected God. “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.” (Jdg 2:10)

V. 3 - “I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE." - Quoted from 1 Ki. 19:10-18. Elijah was a prophet during the reign of Arab and Jezebel (some of most evil rulers of Northern Kingdom). Jezebel threatens Elijah. He escapes and is hiding in a cave, feeling quite despondent. God asks him, “What’s up?” Elijah, feeling sorry for himself, explains to the Lord “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword." (1 Ki.19:10) Elijah has lost hope for Israel. Not only has Israel chosen to no longer worship God, they are attacking those who do. The situation is hopeless!

V. 4 - “But what is the divine response to him?” - God says, “Not quite so fast, my friend!” “I have a plan,” God says, “to save a remnant who are faithful.” For example see Isa 10:21-22; Jer 23:3; 31:7. Of the millions of Jews in the northern kingdom, God is going to save a remnant of faithful believers - 7000. God’s plan is not thwarted. He is not deterred. (See: 1 Ki. 19:10-18).

V. 5 - “In the same way then” - Paul has equated the attitude of the Northern Kingdom under Ahab and Jezebel with the Jews of his time! Led by Ahab/Jezebel, the Jews rejected the teachings and commands of God. They rejected, by imprisonment and murder, the messengers sent by God. After repeated warnings and repeated rejections, God honored their decision. The northern kingdom was decimated by an invading army and carried off into oblivion and exile.

“there has also come to be at the present time a remnant” - Paul knows full well that not every Jew is drawn to and accepts Christ. He goes into a synagogue in every town he visits. He tells them of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Some turn to Christ as Savior - a remnant. Many rise up in opposition to the Gospel message. (See: Matt 22:14; 2 Pet 1:10; Rev 17:14).

Unfortunately, this is true of Jews and Gentiles, alike. Jesus died for all, but only many will be saved.  (See: 2 Cor 5:14-15; Matt 22:14) Look around: is every church filled to capacity? Is every person in your town or city a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord? This is not to abandon people to the fate of eternal separation from God. See the conclusion of the parable about the rich man and the poor man Lazarus: “He replied to him, 'If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’" (Luke 16:31) It was true at the first Easter. It is true today.

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Rom. 10:18-21 - Rhetorical Questions

18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; "THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD."
19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, "I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION, BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU."
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME."
21 But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE."

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But, But, What if ...

Paul continues with his concern for the Jews. Here he deals with some typical questions that allow people to avoid the question of who is Jesus. Objections like, “What if the Jews hadn’t heard of Jesus?”, or “What if the Jews didn’t know about Jesus?”

V. 18 - “surely they have never heard, have they?” - First, how can the Jews be held responsible for their rejection of Jesus if they haven’t heard of Him? On the face of it, this seems to be a silly objection. How could the Jews not known? Go back in their history - Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, the Prophets - all of these received the promise of a Messiah. The record of the Torah, the historical books, and the prophets all promise of salvation through a savior sent by God. The Jews have the written word to study and learn about God’s salvation for them.

"THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH..." - Quoted from Psa. 19:4, in which we are reminded the heavens, the stars in the night sky, tell of God’s glory. The Psalm goes on to tell us the ‘testimony’, the ‘precepts’, and the ‘commandments’ of the Lord warn us, reward us, and keep us from ‘presumptuous sins’. The TV show “X-Files” has the tag line, “The Truth is Out There.” The truth of Jesus has been there all along. Obstinance and arrogance has kept them from acknowledging Jesus as Lord, Jesus as Messiah and savior.

V. 19 - “surely Israel did not know, did they?” - Secondly, how can they be held responsible if they didn’t know Jesus came to be the Messiah? This is more immediate and personal. During the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah warned them of what was coming. In fact, the Jewish leaders asked Jeremiah to tell them what the Lord said. After Jeremiah told them the Lord was going to send them into exile with the Babylonians, the Jews rejected the message and refused to believe it. History is repeated here.
The Jewish leaders were enraged whenever Jesus claimed to be from the Father, to be the Messiah. They knew the meaning of His claims. They refused to accept Him.

“First Moses says, "I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS ...“ Quoted from (Deut. 32:21, in the ‘Song of Moses’) in which God warns Israel concerning their rebellion. They are rejecting God, by being perverse and faithless, provoking God.
God is telling Israel if they reject Him, He will turn to other people - people who are not a chosen nation. God is saying He is more than a tribal god. He will be God of people all over the world, every nation, every ethnicity. The Jew will be upset. They will be jealous of these believers. In essence saying, “Who are you to take our God, to worship our God!?” The Israelites will think they have lost the specialness of exclusivity. They could not (would not) see that God wanted to save the whole world, to be the God of all nations and people.

V. 20 - "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME... " (Quoted from: Isa. 65:1,2) - Paul’s apostleship and ministry in a nutshell: Gentiles coming to believe in God through Jesus Christ. Nowhere in religions elsewhere around the world is a god who loves people enough to save them. We don't need to save ourselves.  We cannot. He can and He does.

“... I WILL ANGER YOU” - Look at the response of the Jewish leaders to the church. Anger and hate, fear and revulsion. The leaders were alarmed that the followers of Jesus were upsetting the whole world. (See: Acts 6:12-13; 7:54, 57; 9:12; 17:5-6)

V. 21 - "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE." (Quoted from: Isa. 65:1,2) - God has beckoned them. He has called upon them. He was warned them. He has chastised them, up to and including diaspora and exile! Look back to Deuteronomy, chapter 28. Verses 1-14 starts off with “If you will diligently obey the Lord your God…”, cataloging the blessings that will come to the Jews. However, verses 15-68 list the calamities that will befall them if they are disobedient! The prophet Isaiah in Isa. 48:18 gives us Gods’ lament, “If only you had listened to my commands!” Several statements in Jeremiah indicate the destruction coming upon the Israelites are because they turned away from God, refused to listen, and disobeyed. They were repeatedly warned. God pleaded with them to return to Him.

Had they heard God was going to save the world through them? Yes, they heard. Did they know God was going to send a Messiah? Yes, they knew. They had all the advantages for which anyone could ask. They chose to go their own way.

*** End of Chapter ***

Rom. 10:16-17 - Faith by Hearing

16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 

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If Only ...

V. 16 - “They did not all heed the good news” - Whoo! What a massive understatement! Jesus predicted that some would not believe even if the dead were to be resurrected. (See: Luke 16:31, see entire story 16:19-31.) If you read through the books Isaiah and Jeremiah, you will see some common themes similar to: “If only you had listened.” Or, “You did not listen.” Or the people saying, “We do not believe you.” (That was directly to God! How’s that for ultimate arrogance and foolishness?)

Some of the saddest words in the Bible are, “If only...”

"LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" - Quote from Isa. 53:1., in which God tells of the coming of the Messiah. This is a lament that although the Savior comes, few will turn to hear and understand.  

V. 17 - “faith comes from hearing,” - Not the physical phenomena of sound waves vibrating the eardrums, but the comprehension and understanding the message delivered. Christ delivered the message, “He who ears, let him hear.” (See: Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 16, 43; Mk. 4:9, 23; Luk.8:8; 14:35) An oft-heard statement from the Lord in the OT, “Listen to my commands!”, with the implication the people would take the commands given, accept them and put them into action. In other words listening involves obedience to God’s commands. 

Faith is placing my life in God’s hands, believing He loves me and has done what is necessary to save me from hell (eternal separation from God).

“hearing by the word of Christ.” - The margin note in my NASB indicates this phrase can be read ‘hearing the word concerning Christ”. All day, every day, we hear lots of words (the 24 hour news cycles, Twitter feeds, internet news, etc.). None of them will lead us to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

This is the cusp, the pivot point - “Who is Jesus Christ?” The answer is absolutely critical. One of the significant responses to this question is “Come and see.” (John 1:46)

“Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God?” The church of Jesus Christ is founded on this question.

The answer is binary: Accept Jesus as Savior, and you are in His family, the church.
Reject Jesus as Savior - you are not part of His own people.

Rom. 10:14-15 - Hear & Believe

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"

How Does This Happen?

Paul’s great summary of basic evangelism: People can believe in Jesus if they hear about Him. Someone must make the effort to tell what they know about Jesus. We get to do that! The great commission is contained herein, reiterating what Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19) “Repentance for forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations...” (Luke 24:47)

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V. 14-15 - “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?” - How do I ask Jesus to save me if I have no idea who He is? How do I even know I need to be saved?

“How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?” - How do I understand that He loves me and has wonderful plan for my life if I have never heard of Jesus? Earlier in this letter, Paul says that people can know of God’s glory simply by looking at the universe He has created. It may be difficult, however, to deduce that God personally has acted to save you as an individual. God wants to have a personal relationship and friendship with you. That is the message that must be said and heard.

“how will they hear without a preacher?” - Someone has to do it. God asks us to come to Him and receive salvation and blessings. He asks people to share and tell what He has done for them. Evangelism is not relegated to the professional clergy. Sharing God’s love is the mission of every believer. When you tell others of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, you become the ‘preacher’ noted here. People can accept Christ as Lord and Savior because they have heard and understood what you have said.

“How will they preach unless they are sent?” - “Go!”, Jesus said. Does this mean you need to book a flight to somewhere in equatorial Africa, or Nepal, or India? Maybe. I would guess that you will bump into far more people as you go through life here and now in the good old U.S.A., than if you head to a foreign land. Look around. We are in a “target rich environment” (See: John 4:35). Because you will contact so many people who need Jesus (they may not know or understand they need Him), you are ‘sent’. Live your life to glorify Christ and share Him with those you meet and know.

"HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" - Quoted from Isa. 52:7. - My wife would say, “Not Gary’s feet!” However, the person who shares the gospel has done a beautiful thing, when another hears and believes. Do you thank God for the Sunday School teacher, or Mom, or Dad, or friend who shared and explained how you could be God’s own child? Aren’t you grateful for that person? That person shared, and you began to listen to the call of the Holy Spirit. That person introduced me to Jesus! 

I am so thankful to Bill Bright and Howard Ball, and to Campus Crusade for Christ. I am so thankful to my wife who talked my into going to Explo’72 in Dallas, Texas. There I truly listened to and heard the Gospel; committing my life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus though Bill Bright and Howard Ball broke into my mind and heart. I learned of the forgiveness and the filling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. The beauty of Christ came through to me at that conference. The only person more beautiful is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

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Romans 10:8-13 - Believe & Confess

8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

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Salvation Is Not Far From Us!

V. 8 - “But what does it say?” - What does ‘righteousness based on faith’ say?

It says, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 ) Also, “so that they [humans] would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)
It says: "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART" - This is quoted from Deut. 30:14, where Moses is telling the Jews the information they already have what is needed for salvation.

“the word of faith which we are preaching” - Paul is leading us to salvation by faith, not by works. He does not say, “If you go on this mission, you will be saved.” He does not say, “If you complete these tasks, God will be pleased and you will be saved.”

V. 9-10 - “Confess... Believe”, and “Believe... Confess” - Paul uses repetition to enforce the point in these two verses. Our faith in Christ will lead us to say out loud that Jesus is God. Calling Jesus a good teacher, and stopping there, is totally inadequate, only acknowledging He existed in history.

Our faith in Christ as Lord leads us to know He has defeated death by His resurrection.
Christ sacrificed Himself for our sins.
He died because of our sins.
That death was not futile or wasted.
How do we know this? Because of the resurrection!

Because all sin was covered by His sacrifice, He is risen to the highest honor in the universe - King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. All things have been put under His authority.

When we believe in our heart - the mind, the emotions, and the will all agree - we are as Abraham. Our faith is reckoned to us as righteousness. Think of ‘reckoned’ as an accounting term - your faith has been written down in God’s accounting ledger. That ledger will never be erased, the evidence and record is always there.

Believing is more than mental acknowledgment. Believing leads to speaking - out loud to others, witness, as it were - that we believe Jesus is Lord God and is our savior. We confess the truth, the facts, as if in a court of law. We are staking our life and reputation on Jesus Christ. The belief in Jesus is personal between individuals and God. Your father or mother cannot do it for you. Your brother or sister or best friend cannot believe and confess for you. The confession is publicly laying claim to Jesus as our savior. Our word is our bond, stronger than a written contract.

V. 11 - “Whoever believes...” - Quoted from Isa. 28:16. God was telling the people of Israel they have been rebellious. Rebellious to the point they must taught like babies, with simple words. They have exchanged the refuge in God for a deal with the devil, hope exchanged for a lie. He is offering them the chance to cancel the deal with the devil - if they would hear His message and believe in His cornerstone, His foundation!

V. 12 - “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek” - Almost a parenthetical statement inserted between the two “whoever...” sentences in verses 11 and 13. Verse 12 emphasizes the point being made in verse 11, and verse 13 emphasizes that in 12.
Paul has been building the case: Gentiles are children of God by faith, just as Jews are children of God by faith. Neither Gentiles nor Jews come to salvation by works. “Greek” used here is not a reference to Grecian, but as a stand-in for Gentiles. (Although they all lived in a Roman controlled world, the Greek culture was predominant.)

“the same Lord is Lord of all” - There is not one God or Lord for the Jews, and another different God or Lord for the Gentiles. There is only One Lord God Almighty over all. He does not have one standard or requirement for salvation for the Jews and a different requirement for everyone else.

“abounding in riches for all who call on Him” - This is one those amazing statements! Can you comprehend:

Jesus gave His life to save you from the penalty of your sin, AND, all that is His is now also yours. Isn’t salvation enough? It is more than you deserve. But that is not all!

Wrap your mind around that! Your journey in Christian faith is not in economy: with a small seat and no legroom. It is not in steerage: in the bottom and back of the ship near the engine room. Your journey with Christ is First Class - you are His and he has been highly exalted.

V. 13 - "For Whoever will call on the name ..." Quoted from Joel 2:32, in which God is encouraging the Jews to return to Him. He will pour the Holy Spirit on those He is rescuing. He will deliver them; it will be awesome. All they need to do is call.

The sermon this Sunday was on Matt. 16:13-22: Which was a watershed moment in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
It asks the all-important question, “Who do you say Jesus is?”
The answer is (must be), “I believe in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

This is a most profound and powerful statement, a sharp dividing line that separates - those who confess are saved, from everyone else. Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32 NASB) We say out loud (i.e., confess) what we believe in our hearts and minds. When we are baptized, we affirm that Jesus is Lord. We acknowledge who He is - not just another messenger in a long line of messengers sent by God.

Jesus is the representation of God, Jesus is what God is like. What is God like? Jesus Christ. My Savior, the Son of God.

Note: It is possible to say things out loud and not mean or believe them. Listen to almost any modern day politician - it does not matter, Republican or Democrat - we KNOW they are lying to us. And thus we do not trust what they say, and sometimes cannot trust what they do.

Just saying the words, “I believe in Jesus,” if you do not believe in Jesus as Savior is meaningless and worthless.

 

Romans 10:5-7 - Law vs. Faith

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down),
7 or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)."

***

Who Will Go Into Heaven for Us? Who Will Go Into Hell for Us?

V. 5 - “righteousness which is based on law” - See: Lev. 18:5. A theme repeated in the Old Testament, as seen in Neh. 18:5; and Eze. 20:11, 13, 21. A man who keeps and obeys God’s statutes and judgements will live.

V. 6-7 - “righteousness based on faith speaks” - People who really do not know or understand God will say, “Where will we find God? Where will we find salvation?” Or, “We will go on a quest! We will search high and low for someone to save us. We will search the heavens! We will go to the depths of the sea!” The person of faith understands the salvation from God is not hidden, it is not a secret for only a select few.

“WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?” - Quote from: Deut. 30:11-15. “This command that I give you today is certainly not too difficult or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven so that you have to ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven, get it for us, and proclaim it to us so that we may follow it?’  And it is not across the sea so that you have to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea, get it for us, and proclaim it to us so that we may follow it?’ But the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it. See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity."
Jesus is not hiding in heaven, to be coaxed to come save us. We don’t need to go there to get His attention, to remind Him that He needs to save us. He’s there with the Father advocating for us. 

“WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?” - This is similar to a verse in Job 28:14. “The ocean depths say, ‘It’s not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘I don’t have it.’ ” Jesus is not held captive by a superior being in Hell, and needing one of us to set Him free.

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! He has defeated death. He has defeated the grave.

***

 

Romans 10:1-4 - Sorrow for Jews

CHAPTER 10
10:1-4 - Sorrow for Jews
10:5-7 - Law vs. Faith
10:8-13 - Believe & Confess
10:14-15 - Hear & Believe
10:16-21 - Faith by Hearing
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1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
3 For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

They did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God

Paul continues the train of thought begun in chapter 9 - remorse for His ‘people’ - the Jews. (See the introduction to Chapter 9, above.) Again, Paul expresses his desire that the Jews would come to Jesus as Lord and Savior. He notes the Jews have zeal, but it is misplaced. The Jews attempt to set up their own branch of righteousness based on works. Righteousness in God’s economy is based on faith: that is, believe and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Whoever believes will be saved. The distinction between Jew and Gentile is erased - when righteousness is based on faith it makes no matter what your assumed birthright might be. When the gospel is preached, people can hear it. When people hear the gospel, they can believe. When they believe, they are saved.

But perhaps the Jews never heard.
Yes. They heard.
Perhaps the Jews didn’t know? Yes. They knew.
God has been calling out to them from the beginning.

V. 1 - “heart's desire and my prayer.” - A continuation of the hope the Israelites would come to faith in Christ Jesus. Verses 9:32-33 points out the Jews pursued righteousness by works and not by faith. Therefore they tripped and fell over the very one who could save them. Despite the persecution by the Jews, Paul prays for their salvation.

V. 2 - “they have a zeal for God” - One of the best things that can be said for the religious leaders is that they were passionate about their beliefs.

“Not in accordance with knowledge.” - They operate in ignorance. Just because you fervently believe, it does not follow that the end result of your beliefs is correct, or will end well for you. For example when you correct someone’s spelling of a word, and their reply is, “That’s the way I spell it”, does not make their personal ‘spelling’ correct.
This is a harsh reality. Think of all the religions in the world. Whether they are pagan and worship animals or plants, or various and sundry gods or goddesses; whether they are spiritualist in nature or works; whether they are "woke" or not - if the 'religion' is not based on salvation in Christ alone, the end is death. Not just physical death - all humans face that - but spiritual death, separated from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for eternity.

V. 3 - “Not knowing about God's righteousness” - God’s righteousness is beyond our comprehension, being perfect and holy. Our righteousness is based on faith and belief in Him. (See: Rom. 4:3, 9; 5:1)
How could the Israelites not know?! How could they miss that God is righteous? It was said and taught from the very first encounter between God and the Jews. I am not picking on the Jews. It is human nature to place our trust in the things we do. It is hard to measure faith - to determine if my faith is sufficient to appease the Lord. Am I believing correctly? Am I praying correctly? Will God hear me when I pray? How will I know?  We can see what we do, measure the accuracy or correctness of what we do. The acts of worship become more important than the one we worship. This is the basis of a religion based on works. 

“Seeking to establish their own” - Defining your own rules for righteousness tries to declare this sacrifice or that offering makes you righteous and acceptable to God. However, baptism does not make you sinless. Taking communion does not guarantee salvation. Neither of these activities make you a Christian - that is, a child of God, a co-heir with Christ.

The human reasoning may fall along these lines:
You can see that you are doing something.
Therefore that doing is significant.
For, if the doing is not significant, why are you doing it?

“They did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” - I will place us in the same condition of rebelliousness as the Jews - we do not wish to do it God’s way. Gentiles are no different than the Jews in turning our backs on God’s salvation. Paul here is using the rebelliousness of the Jews to show how they have rejected Jesus as Messiah, and rejected God’s calling of them. Look back briefly at their history. See: Num. 14:22; Deut. 15:5; 2 Ki. 21:8; 2 Chr. 6:16; Isa. 48:18.
Jesus knew they were stubborn. (See: Luk. 16:29-31.) The stubborn Jews were the first of many who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ, who was crucified for you and me, and was raised from the dead to show us He has defeated sin and death.
It is not the works we do, but the person we place our lives upon that saves us. (See: John 6:28-29.) Nothing else matters except Jesus Christ.

V. 4 - “For Christ is the end of the law” - A couple of translations (NLT and NIV) read that Jesus is the “fulfillment”, or the “culmination”, of the law. The law stops at Jesus. It is no longer necessary. There is no other sacrifice needed in order to come to God. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. No more lambs, no more bullocks, no more rams, no more blood needs be shed.

Some will ask, “What part of the law is null and void? The Ten Commandments? The ceremonial sacrifices and offerings? The inter-personal, community living rules and regulations? What remains?”
Jesus answered these questions. See: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?And He said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.’" (Matt. 22:36-40.)

There is no longer any efficacy in performing the ritual sacrifices and offerings. The sacrifice of the Lamb of God, and His resurrection fulfilled the requirements of the law and thereby obviated any need for such activities. The person who commits his life to Jesus, and lives in His power does not need to contemplate how to keep the 10 commandments.

Does this concept negate what Jesus said about the Law? "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place.” (Matt. 5:17-18 (NET))
I don’t think so.

“for righteousness to everyone who believes” - Loving God and your neighbor will be a natural outgrowth of your faith in Jesus. We do not earn righteousness. We cannot. The Law showed that clearly. Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior - God will confer upon you the righteousness of Jesus. Jesus will say, “This one is mine! This one has his name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” God does not want your lamb, or your ram, or your bullock, or your grain offering. God wants your life, your commitment to Him through Jesus Christ. Worrying about the law, and which piece still remains or still applies becomes a diversion.

 

(Rom. 10:1-4)