Romans 9 — Israel Saved by Faith
Introduction: Paul wanted his readers to know just how much he loved his brethren the Jews who had their ancestral identity in Jacob, as a nation chosen by God and called Israel. But the mercy and blessing by faith in Christ was not reserved only for those who are of Israel, but for Gentiles as well, because faith in Christ, not bloodline or works, is God’s revealed plan for salvation of the soul of each believer. This chapter of Romans is in my own paraphrase, to some extent in an amplified style, prepared by examining several translations, and with some use of a Greek lexicon.
NOTE: Verses in the comments are from the 1769 King James Bible.
A — Paul Had Great Sorrow That Not All Israel Is Saved
Romans 9 “1 I speak the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience is clear before the Holy Spirit, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could desire even to be accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom belongs the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the temple service of God, and the promises; 5 all of which belonged to the patriarchs, and of whom in human ancestry Christ came, who is over all, forever to be praised as God.”
Comments: Paul was moved to let the believers at Rome know that his remarks thus far were not meant to condemn those children of Israel who had not yet come to Christ in faith. With an oath by the Holy Spirit he expressed that, because of his sorrow of heart, he would be willing to be accursed from Christ if that could bring salvation to all of his fellow Israelites. The LORD had set Israel apart for adoption, glory, and the covenants. They were given the law, the temple service of God, and the promises — all belonging to the patriarchs. And the greatest blessing is that in human ancestry Christ came from the patriarchs, and he is over all, forever to be praised as God. Though God had to judge Israel for abandoning his blessings (Zechariah 7:9–14), the LORD never completely abandoned his love for Israel. Luke 13:34–35 records Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem while promising he would return.
B — The Children of Promise Are the True Offspring of God
Romans 9 “6 It is not that the word of God is ineffective. For they are not all Israel, which are in the bloodline of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the ancestors of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall God’s offspring be called. 8 That is, they which are the children of natural ancestry, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the offspring. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Comments: The wanderings of Israel away from the LORD in rebellion could in no way make the Word of God ineffective. The true descendents of Israel were given their position of salvation through a promise, not through natural ancestry. The birth of Isaac by a woman past the normal age of childbearing demonstrated God’s divine power to fulfill his promise under conditions considered impossible by human reasoning (Genesis 17:15–22). Not all of the natural descendents of Abraham became heirs to the special blessing he received from God — the birth of Isaac’s twin sons later gave further example of how God was the one to determine those who would become his eternal heirs.
C — God Changed Jacob’s Name to Israel
Romans 9 “10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls; 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”
Comments: Paul went to the next step in the revered line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to show how even fraternal twins in the womb of Rebecca were distinctly prepared by God for his purpose by his predetermined choice, not because of any good or evil either had done before birth. Genesis 25:22–23 “The LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb… and the elder shall serve the younger.” The separation of Jacob and Esau was clearly demonstrated over many centuries, with the Edomites never able to regain the blessings given to the Israelites. Malachi 1:2–4 records the LORD’s declaration that Edom would be called “The border of wickedness, and The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.”
D — Mercy and Compassion Are by the Will of God
Romans 9 “14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of those who try by their own will, nor of those who run the race of life superbly, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I elevated your position, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore he has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will, he hardens.”
Comments: If we apply our own reasoning to these things, would we say that God is not being righteous? Paul is very firm in declaring this would be an utterly ridiculous conclusion. Proverbs 21:30 “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” Daniel 4:35 “He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” The LORD told Moses: Exodus 33:19 “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” And the LORD elevated Pharaoh so his power in him would cause his name to be declared throughout all the earth (Exodus 9:14–16). Therefore, God has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens.
E — The Potter Has Unlimited Power over the Clay
Romans 9 “19 You then will say to me, Why does he still find fault? For who has resisted his will? 20 No, but you being just a man, who are you to talk back against the will of God? Shall the thing formed say to the one who formed it, Why have you made me this way? 21 Doesn’t the potter have power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?… 24 Even us, whom he has called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As he says also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and call her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”
Comments: Paul provided a picturesque metaphor about the potter and his clay to portray how ridiculous it is for mere man to question the will of God. God has created all of mankind and judges some guilty of sin to be condemned, and others he has chosen for eternal life. Paul said God can also use his long-term patience before bringing final judgment to those predetermined to suffer his power and wrath, that he might more fully make known the riches of his glory on those of both Jews and Gentiles he had prepared in advance to receive his mercy and love. Hosea 1:10 and 2:23 prophesy that those told “Ye are not my people” shall be called “the sons of the living God” — many Gentiles have become heirs with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel through the mercy of the LORD.
F — The Stumbling Stone and Rock of Offence
Romans 9 “27 Isaiah also cried out concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved… 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who did not observe righteousness, have attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which sought after the law of righteousness, has not attained righteousness through the law. 32 Why is that so? Because they did not seek it by faith, belief, and trust; but by trying to earn it with good works under the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes in him shall not be ashamed.”
Comments: Isaiah had written about the stumbling stone for those who don’t accept God by faith. Isaiah 8:13–14 “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear and your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel.” Jesus spoke a parable about tenants who killed the owner’s son, then quoted Psalm 118:22 about the cornerstone (Mark 12:9–11). After the resurrection, Peter and John boldly declared: Acts 4:11–12 “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” This is the enduring message Paul was giving in his letter to believers at Rome.
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, I want to remember how Paul described the special blessing that belonged to the children of Israel through the patriarchs: they were given adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the temple service of God, and the promises. Then, in human ancestry Christ came through the patriarchs, and he is over all, forever to be praised as God! I thank you, LORD, that Paul continued to show that it was your choice to bless Jacob as the younger of the twins while they were still in Rebecca’s womb. This was another demonstration of your purpose, LORD, according to election, not of works, but for those you call to yourself. Therefore, being chosen by God is not of those who try either by their own will, or of those who run the race of life superbly, but of the mercy of the LORD. The metaphor of the potter and the clay provides a way to remember and meditate on the vast difference between the God of all creation and all descendents of Adam. As Paul closed this chapter, I thank you, LORD, that as a Gentile I have received your righteousness by faith in Christ, while for many Jews, Christ has been that stumbling stone and rock of offense. LORD, I praise you that you chose me with absolutely no merit in the things I do, but by your predetermined grace to me. So my faith is in my Cornerstone, the Lord Christ Jesus. Hallelujah, amen!
Published 2 June, revised 12 June 2016