Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey

Paul continues to struggle with the mystery of Israel’s election. He again emphasizes his desire for Israel’s salvation (Romans 9:1-3). The answer will not come until he (along with us) understands “this mystery” (Romans 11:25). In this chapter Paul reflects on the fact that Israel does indeed have “a zeal for God” (Romans 10:2) but they have missed the understanding of faith. This is also to say they have misunderstood the nature of God’s righteousness. God’s righteousness saves through faith not through deeds or religious observances. The righteousness that comes through the law is inadequate. Paul’s picture then of Israel is that, chosen by God, they have nonetheless refused to submit to God‘s righteousness, “the righteousness that comes through faith’ (Romans 10:6).

1. Paul again makes it plain that it is his “heart’s desire and prayer to God” for Israel, the historic nation, to be saved. In the course of his reflection Paul apparently receives an answer to his prayer which will be the climax of chapter 11. At this point however he is struggling to understand God’s plan of election for Israel. In chapter 9 he reflected on God’s freedom in election, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy” (Romans 9:15). He then acknowledged that God’s election involves judgment as well as salvation. Pharaoh being an example (Romans 9:17). He also noted that there are distinctions within Israel. Not all Israelites truly belong to Israel (Romans 9:6). God himself has created these distinctions as is the case with Jacob and Esau (Romans 9:11-13).
2. These points, while true, are not completely satisfying as has historically been the case with Romans 9 (Karl Barth devotes an extensive exegesis to this chapter in his Church Dogmatics which represents probably the best attempt in the twentieth century to analyze it). I would say the bottom line is that chapter 9 is a true but incomplete statement of God’s election (Luther for example goes overboard on it and comes dangerously close to making God the author of evil).
3. In chapter 10 then Paul turns away from the issue of God’s sovereign power and looks at Israel as being responsible for its present unbelief. Paul testifies that Israel has “a zeal for God” but it is not enlightened (Romans 10:2). Throughout history unenlightened religious zeal has been responsible for any number of horrific acts, from war to torture to the burning of suspected witches. Why is Israel’s zeal so unenlightened? Paul claims that it is because Israel tried to establish its own righteousness. The righteousness of God is a pure gift (Romans 3:21-28). After receiving this gift through Abraham and Moses Paul is arguing Israel sought to find reasons for its election in itself. In so doing they fell into pride and refused to submit to God’s righteousness (rather than their own, cf. John 8:33).
4. Paul then makes the bold statement that “Christ is the end of the law.” The word here for “end” has the meaning of purpose or goal. Christ is the final purpose for the law. By law Paul probably means more than just the ten commandments. He is thinking of the whole sacrificial system of the law. This system acknowledged sin, grace and forgiveness. This was the whole basis of the Day of Atonement (“Yom Kippur,” Leviticus 16). Yet Israel had managed to view its keeping of the law, even in the total sense, as somehow dependent upon themselves, as testifying to their own righteousness (Luke 18:11). Therefore, trusting in themselves and not submitting to God’s righteousness, they saw no need to recognize Jesus as their savior.
5. Paul then goes on to speak from his eschatological perspective, looking at things in the light of God’s final plan and purpose for humanity. He points out that the law itself prophesied the coming of Christ (Romans 10:6-8, Deuteronomy 30:11-14). Christ has come to his own people as God’s fulfillment of his promise to Abraham (Romans 4:16).  Yet faith requires a response from us (Paul is looking at things differently than he did in chapter 9. His emphasis here is on the human response). Jesus is the fulfillment not only of the hopes of Israel but of the whole world. Faith in him requires confession and belief. It is not about keeping the law (Romans 10:5; Leviticus 18:5). It is about believing in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10).
6. God’s plan was never only about Israel. This, for Paul, was Israel’s mistake in his day. Israel prided itself on its distinctive calling. Yet God’s election of Israel was to be for the benefit of the whole world. In Abraham all the nations are to be blessed (Genesis 18:18). Paul then can appeal to the prophets themselves regarding God’s universal purpose: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32). Even then in the law God was providing a salvation for the Gentiles as well as the Jews (this argument goes all the way back to chapter 2).
7. The message of salvation needs to be heard. It needs to be proclaimed. Paul again appeals to the Old Testament regarding “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news (gospel),” Romans 10:15; Isaiah 52:7. People need to hear the message of salvation. Quoting again, Paul cites Isaiah, “Lord, who has believed our message?“ Romans 10:16; Isaiah 53:1). Only by hearing will people believe.
8. Paul then returns to his original dilemma regarding Israel. The fact is they have heard the message. It is found throughout their scriptures (Romans 18:18, 19, Psalm 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:21). Paul himself had proclaimed the message of Christ in the synagogues as had the other apostles. This goes back to the basic irony that Israel rejected the gospel while the gentiles accepted it (Acts 13:42-48). Yet even this was part of God’s plan as stated in the Old Testament (Romans 10:20; Isaiah 65:1). Yet Paul still comes back to the unresolved problem of his own “great sorrow and unceasing anguish” (Romans 9:2). Israel has not accepted God’s righteousness. They have not believed in Christ. Though chosen by God they remain a “disobedient and contrary people” (Romans 10:21; Isaiah 65:2). Paul’s original question remains. How could it be that God’s promises to Israel will remain unfulfilled? What of his conviction that their faithlessness can not nullify God’s faithfulness (Romans 3:3)? These questions will be answered in the next chapter, one of the most remarkable in all of Scripture.
9. Questions for Us –
   1. What are some examples of “unenlightened zeal” in our own time? How have we shown this kind of zeal? Why do you think we are so prone to find a basis for righteousness in ourselves? Why is it so important for us to take credit for the faith we profess?
   2. Why do you think the question of Israel’s salvation is so important for Paul? What do you think is at stake for him in the issue?

« Back to the main Bible Study page