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wild branches (Gentiles) could be grafted into the stem and be given life and nourishment from the root,
Jesus. He also taught what God could do in the future in his relationship with Israel to restore them to a
full covenant relationship with Him once more. Laid deftly in the lines of these explanations is a warning
to the Gentile believers to humbly recognize that God was graciously kind to them so that they would not
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respond in pride toward the people of Israel. They are told “do not be arrogant toward the branches” ;
and “even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft
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them in again.” In all of this the point that is being made is that no one is included in the body of Christ
because of any genealogical, intellectual or social connection that they might have. All who are included
are included because of the kindness of God who is being gracious to them in His choice of them to enjoy
a saving relationship with Him. This means that although our choice to follow God is not an
inconsequential obedience to His command, what the prime mover in our salvation is God’s choice of us
to be engrafted into His Son.

God has allowed Israel to be hardened in their hearts and minds so that Gentiles might believe, but they
are still the chosen covenant people of God upon whom He shows His mercy. (11:25-32)

What Paul had just illustrated with the metaphor of the olive tree he continued to explain more clearly to
the Roman believers. He did not want them lining up along either ethnic or economic lines with proud
ideas of one group being more superior than the other. Paul described this matter of the relationship of
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the rejection of Israel to the salvation of the Gentiles as a mystery. God has set aside Israel and
hardened their hearts temporarily unto the full number of Gentiles chosen for salvation is filled. This truth
is something not previously revealed that now was revealed through the ministry of the apostles.
Ultimately all of these workings of God are going to lead to the salvation of Israel and to the fulfillment of
Isaiah’s prophecy, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this
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will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Paul now drew his illustration to a close
with a summary statement about Israel and the implications of that for understanding the wonder of
God’s salvation.

His summary statement about Israel is “As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as
regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are
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irrevocable.” In other words, Israel became an enemy of the gospel so that the Gentiles would be
included in God’s saving work, but at the same time they remained the chosen nation of God who was
given promises and gifts that were irrevocable because they came from God who never changes and
always fulfills his word. God was not finished with Israel yet.

After clearly stating this summary statement Paul connected it to two issues: disobedience and mercy. He
began explained the connection between these two issues by reminding the Gentile believers that they at
one time were living in disobedience to God and God had shown them mercy by bringing his gospel to
them. It sounds very similar to a statement in his letter to the Ephesians, “And you were dead in the
trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of
the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience.” Paul used this to explain the
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current disobedience of Israel. They have disobeyed so that God would be able to show mercy to them.
He tied both the disobedient Gentiles and Jews together with the gracious mercy of God in the final
sentence of the exposition of salvation: “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have
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mercy on all.”

91 Romans 11:18, ESV
92 Romans 11:23, ESV.
93 Romans 11:25.
94 Romans 11:26-27; see also Isaiah 59:20, 21.
95 Romans 11:28-29, ESV.
96 Ephesians 2:1-2, ESV.
97 Romans 11:32, ESV.
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