Romans 11

Grace and peace,

We continue in our Chapter Memory Study with Romans 11.

The memory passage is Romans 11:33-36

Romans 11:33-36
³³ Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 ³⁴ "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" ³⁵ "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

The chapter outline theme is the Righteous Restoration of Israel.

This chapter deals with the issue of Israel's restoration. Paul's question in v1 sets up the argument in the rest of the chapter, "has God rejected His people?". His immediate answer is his trade mark 'By no means' (mē genoito, “Let it not be,”1:6, 31; 6:1, 15; 7:7, 13; 11:1, 11). He goes on to use himself and Elijah as examples. In His sovereignty, God dramatically saved Paul, a Jew, and He encouraged Elijah by assuring him there was a remnant of faithful followers. Paul in turn assures his readers that there is now a remnant of Jews who are chose by grace, not works.

While vv7-12 are about the hardening of Israel, Paul reminds us that their fall is not beyond recovery. The result of their fall is that salvation has come to the Gentiles; who are Paul's primary ministry focus.

Verse 16 sets up the extended metaphor of the olive tree by saying that the firstfruits of the dough (Numbers 15:20) and the root of the tree are holy. Meaning, what comes from the source (lump from the dough, branches from the root) has the characteristics of the source. And while some of the natural branches are broken off (Israel's rejection of the Gospel) so that wild branches (Gentiles) might be grafted in, God has the power to graft the natural branches back in.

In case we didn't get it the first time, Paul reminds us in v 25 that the hardening of Israel is temporary and partial. Now, because they have rejected the Gospel they are 'enemies'. But because of God's promises to the fathers of Israel, they are 'beloved' and favored. God has not forsaken Israel!

Verses 30-32 echo chapter 3; He has 'consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all.'

The memory section moves us from Theology to Doxology. There is an interesting relationship between the GK words for 'unsearchable' and 'inscrutable'. I am not a Greek scholar, but the poetry and similarty in these words is unmistakable. The transliterations of the words are an·ex·er·yoo·nay·tos and an·ex·ikh·nee·as·tos.
Beyond the obvious similarity, these words mean about the same thing; "can not be searched out or comprehended". Paul then quotes Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11 to magnify the 'otherness' of God. And with a final burst of praise He declares "for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen."

How does this affect my worship?
The very last verse in this chapter has come up several times in my study of worship. True worship is based solely on the worthiness of God. So it must start with Him. Anything that starts with us is incomplete and unacceptable. Worthy worship of the One who is worthy must be 'from Him' (36) and 'by Him' (Heb 13:15). Spirit-and-Truth worship must also be 'through Him'. Colossians 3:17 gives us an example; "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Only through Christ our High Priest can we 'with confidence draw near to the throne of grace' (Heb 4:16). And everything must be 'to Him'. Paul says it best, 'to Him be glory forever'. Amen.

How does this affect my discipleship?
Verse 22 challenges me. God's kindness leads me to repentance (Rom 2:4), and through His kindness I am 'grafted' in to the tree of His promise. But there is a phrase in this passage that sticks out; 'provided that you continue in His kindness'. Paul is speaking in this chapter about peoples, not individuals. The call to continue is for Gentiles; or they, as a whole, will also be cut off as Israel was. How this challenges me is that I must continue. He has showered me with grace, patience, mercy and the knowledge of Him. I must continue in it and pass it on.

May your steps be from Him, through Him and to Him,

Ethan