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are pressing down upon us, how much easier would be the pathway that leads to eternal
glory!
No.17.
9: 1 - 12.
pp. 181 - 185
The closing words of Rom. 8: end the inner section of this epistle, which dealt with
man in general, whether Jew or Gentile, in relation to Adam. Abraham and Israel as a
nation were passed by. But that does not mean that the position of Israel with its close
covenant ties with God had to ceased to count. This favoured nation had been in the
forefront of God's purposes for His Kingdom on earth since the time of Abraham and
that relationship had not yet been altered. The Apostle's answer to the question as to
whether Israel had been cast off by God is perfectly clear. "God hath not cast away His
people which He foreknew" (Rom. 11: 2), and any system of theology that demands that
He had done so at this point must be completely wrong.
Not only this, but Paul's love for his brethren and his longing that they should be
saved is evident from this new section of the epistle:
"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 brothers, those of my own
race, the people of Israel" (9: 2-4, N.I.V.).
"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be
saved" (10: 1, N.I.V.).
Israel's attitude to the gospel, their place in God's scheme, God's elective purpose and
the position of the believing remnant must be considered. The key thought of
justification is not forgotten for the word righteousness occurs 12 times in chaps. 9:-11:
(9: 30; 11: 31, 32). One might think that with the glorious conclusion to chapter 8:,
the theme of the epistle had been brought to an end. In fact there are some expositions of
Romans that end with chapter 8:! But not so; the problem of Israel's unbelief and
their attitude to the gospel is now dealt with. This new section of Romans is a divine
commentary on what was happening in the period covered by the Acts of the Apostles.
Those who do not seriously consider its testimony and receive it as truth, are bound to be
defective in their knowledge of God's purposes.
Chapter 9: begins with sorrow, but the section ending with chapter 11: ends with
song (11: 33-36). The Apostle was racked with pain as he considered Israel's unbelief
and rejection of the gospel and was willing to sacrifice himself for their good, as Moses
of old was--"Yet, now if Thou wilt forgive their sin--and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out
of Thy book which Thou hast written" (Exod. 32: 32).
"I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in 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 brothers, those of my own