Page 41 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Douglas J. Moo (722 – 723)
Moo opens with three views on “all Israel will be saved,” (1) the community of the elect, including both
Jews and the Gentiles (2) the nation of Israel (3) the elect within Israel. Moo states that the first received
some support in the very early church and became widespread in the post-Reformation period but has
received less support in the modern period. He further states that the luck of support for this view
seems to be justified, adding that, Paul has used the term “Israel” ten times so far in Rom. 9 – 11, and
each refers to ethnic Israel. Moo emphasizes that other scholars noted that Paul does not write that
“every Israelite will be saved,” he instead writes that “all Israel will be saved.” As the OT Jewish sources
demonstrate, not every single Israelite will be saved but Israel the nation as a whole. For example, when
we say that the whole nation was outrageous at the incident, we don’t mean that every single individual
was outrageous, yet the nation as a whole was. Moo thus concludes that salvation is about the ethnic
nation as a whole, but not every individual Israelite, just like in Mark 1:5 demonstrate. Moo also insisted
that the alternative is the interpretation of the elect that existed throughout the course of Jewish
history as a whole.

Conclusion
Both Scholars agree that the term “Israel” means an ethnical nation. And both agree that the salvation
will be for the nation of Israel as a whole, but not all individual members. Moo however leaves room for
other options. To this respect we may safely conclude that the phrase “Israel will be saved” means the
ethnic nation as a whole, but not all individual members.

Finally, Paul gives a doxological climax: extolling the wisdom of God and his purposes (11:33-36)

How does the Outworking of God’s Righteousness look in the life of Believers? (12:1-15:13)

First is the act of dedication (12:1-2). The Romans were told to present their bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and acceptable before God, and we are to follow suite. Second is Using one’s gifts to serve the
church (12:3-8). Third is the exhortations to love and peace in relationships toward believers and other
people (12:9-21). Fourth is submission to the governing authorities (13:1-7). Fifth is to avoid debt and
love to love your neighbor (13:8-10). Sixth, holiness in light of the eschatological consummation (13:11-
14). Seventh is mutual acceptance of one another (14:1-15:13). Eighth is a warning to the strong and the
weak against judging their brother/sister (14:1-12).

Concerning warning to the strong and the weak against judging their brother or sister, Paul gives three
principles:
(1) Principle of equality: Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? (14:1-4)
(2) Principle of motivation: Let each one be convinced in his own mind (14:5-9)
(3) Principle of accountability: Each one will give account of himself to God (14:10-12)

In warning the strong not to cause their weaker brother to stumble (14:13-15:4), Paul gives three
principles:
(1) Principle of restraint: limiting one’s liberty for the sake of others (14:13-21)
(2) Principle of faith: protecting one’s conscience in ethical decisions (14:22-23)
(3) Principle of sacrifice: remembering the example of Christ (15:1-4)

Paul eventually gives a concluding prayer and appeal to unity and mutual acceptance (15:5-13).

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