Romans 11 Study Notes
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11:13-14 Paul magnified his ministry by working with all his strength to accomplish it. His purpose was to save as many Jews as possible, who would become jealous.
11:16-24 The olive tree was a symbol of the nation of Israel. It was used in this section by Paul as an illustration or allegory of God’s dealings with Jews and Gentiles. The patriarchs are represented by the root of the tree. The Gentiles are a wild graft. Pruned off branches are the unbelieving Jews. Salvation is by faith, and the Gentiles need to be humble about their position. Spiritual pride has no place in salvation by grace. God is able to restore the Jewish people to the place of faith. Salvation is always a miracle. It is no harder for God to save a Jew than a Gentile.
11:25-27 A mystery has been revealed by God: (1) A partial hardening has come to Israel; (2) this will continue until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and (3) then all Israel will be saved. “Israel” is the name for the Jewish people. It is used seventy times in the NT of Jews, Hebrews, or Israelites. It is not used as a title for the church. Galatians 6:16 is not an exception; it refers to saved or godly Jews as “the Israel of God.” Here in v. 26, “all Israel” means there will be a conversion of the Hebrew nation. It does not mean that every single Jew living will be saved. Salvation is defined in vv. 26-27 as the new covenant that the Messiah will inaugurate.
11:28-32 Israel’s vocation and gifts are irrevocable, so their future salvation is certain. God in his mercy gives grace to the disobedient: both to Gentiles and Jews. Both were so imprisoned in their disobedience that there was no way to escape except by God’s mercy.
11:33-36 In these verses Paul concludes his line of reasoning that Israel’s current unbelief is no argument against the truth of the gospel. He is moved to exclamations of wonder at God’s wisdom, power, and plan. Who could have foreseen what God was working out? Paul cites various OT texts to express God’s incomprehensible purposes.