What Is Romans 9-11 About? Part Eight

When the fullness of the Gentiles came into the new covenant, the limited hardening of Israel would be lifted and God’s mercy would be extended.

Paul writes about God’s mercy in Romans 11:30-32.

Just as you [Gentiles] who were at one time disobedient to God [in transgressing the law written on Gentile’s hearts - Romans 2:14-15] have now [AD 55] received mercy [invitation and opportunity to trust in Jesus] as a result of their [Israel’s] disobedience [rejection of Jesus as the Christ], so they [Israel] too have now [AD 55] become disobedient [rejecting Jesus] in order that they [Israel] too may now [AD 55] receive mercy [invitation and opportunity to trust in Jesus] as a result of God’s mercy to you [God extended mercy to the Gentiles after Israel rejected Jesus]. For God has bound everyone [Jews and Gentiles] over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Disobedience Of The Israel And Gentiles

In Romans 11:30-32, we read that God’s ultimate goal was to have mercy on them all, meaning all of Israel and all of the Gentiles.

Both the Gentiles and Israel were at one time disobedient to God.

Paul writes about Israel’s disobedience in Romans 10:21 when he quotes Isaiah 65:1-2

Paul explains the disobedience of both Jews and the Gentiles in Romans 1-3.

Starting in Romans 1:18, Paul explains that all have been disobedient to God.

The Jews who had the law written on stone and the Gentiles who had the law written on their hearts knew right from wrong and good from evil.

Though they had this knowledge, they disobeyed God by transgressing the law.

In Romans 3:9-19, Paul writes there are none who have met the righteous requirements of the law, and, therefore, all are under the condemnation of the law.

In Romans 3:23, Paul writes that there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles because all have sinned.

Beginning in Romans 3:21, Paul explains that God has freely provided righteousness for all people.

This righteousness comes through Jesus who faithfully went to the cross and died for our sins.

His righteousness is offered to all people as a gift of God’s grace (Romans 3:21-24; 5:17).

His righteousness is received through belief/faith in Jesus.

Paul expounds on this truth from Romans 3:21-5:21.

The Disobedience of Adam, The Obedience Of Jesus

In Romans 5:19, Paul explains that through the disobedience of Adam the many (the entire human race) became sinners; but through the obedience of Jesus, the many will be made righteous.

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man [Jesus taking the sins of the human race upon himself at the cross] the many will be made righteous [through faith in Jesus].

Righteousness for the many is received by faith (Romans 5:17; 4:3-5; 23-24).

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

With this understanding, let’s return to Romans 11:30-32 where Paul writes about God having mercy on them all, Israel and the Gentiles.

Just as you [Gentiles] who were at one time disobedient to God [in transgressing the law written on Gentile’s hearts - Romans 2:14-15] have now received mercy [invitation and opportunity to trust in Jesus] as a result of their [Israel] disobedience [rejection of Jesus as the Christ], so they [Israel] too have now become disobedient [rejection of Jesus as the Christ] in order that they [Israel] too may now receive mercy [invitation and opportunity to trust in Jesus] as a result of God’s mercy to you [God extended mercy to the Gentiles after Israel rejected Jesus]. For God has bound everyone [Jews and Gentiles] over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

What Is The Mercy Offered To All?

The mercy offered to all Gentiles and all Israel was the opportunity to place one’s faith in Jesus.

It seems that Paul believed the limited time of the hardening of Israel had come to an end, or was close to coming to an end in AD 55.

The lifting of the hardening provided the opportunity for all from Israel and the Gentile nations to place their faith in Jesus and receive the gift of righteousness.

Paul Had Sorrow In His Heart For The People Of Israel

In Romans 9:1-4, Paul writes,

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel.

Paul had great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart for those of Israel who rejected Jesus as the Christ and had yet to believe.

He understood God’s final old covenant judgment, the curse of the law, would be poured upon them, just as Jesus foretold (Luke 19:41-44; 21:5-24; Luke 23:26-30).

This explains why Paul prayed for their salvation in Romans 10:1.

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

Paul understood there was an elect remnant from Israel chosen by grace to believe in Jesus as the Christ.

This remnant was during Paul’s lifetime (Romans 11:5).

It is probable the 144,000 people from the twelve tribes of Israel were included in this remnant (Revelation 7 and 14).

Following the fullness of the Gentiles coming into the new covenant, the hardening of the hearts of Israel was lifted and God’s mercy was upon all people, Israel and the Gentiles.

Anyone could choose to come to faith in Jesus.

Eleven Years Later…

About 11 years after Paul wrote Romans, the Jewish-Roman war began (AD 66).

This war resulted in the deaths of over one million Israelites.

Nearly one-hundred thousand Israelites were taken captive and sold to the nations of the Roman Empire.

No wonder Paul had great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart.

He knew what was coming.

Today…

Today, the mercy of God continues for all people.

Everyone has the opportunity to have faith in Jesus.

There is no more remnant chosen by grace as in the time Paul wrote Romans.

God’s grace continues to be available for all people, and his mercy is on all people…giving all people the opportunity to believe in Jesus.