Romans 11. Remember that Romans 9-11 is a sidebar to ethnically Jewish people, discussing what their place is in the story and how God has been faithful to them.

The Apostle Paul wraps up his discussion of the Jewish people and writes this, “Has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite…” (11:1) Paul is an ethnic Jew, and he declares that many individual Jews who met Jesus or heard the gospel after his resurrection chose to believe in Jesus. Paul calls himself, and them, a remnant chosen by grace (11:5). Though the nation as a whole rejected Jesus Christ, many individuals chose to believe and follow Jesus.  

Salvation is offered to all who choose to believe and follow Jesus, through grace. This grace pathway is open to Jew and non-Jew alike. God did not reject Israel (the people) forever, instead God has now broadened His offer of salvation to all who believe – salvation through grace has remained available for the people of Israel, as it available to all people.

Sometimes people ask questions about Romans 11:26, “In this way all Israel will be saved” or “In the like manner, all Israel will be saved”. This does not mean that every last Jew will be saved regardless of whether they have faith in Jesus or not. In this way and in a like manner means that in the same way the full number of Gentiles (11:25) will be saved by grace through faith in Jesus, so a large number of Jews will be saved in the end. Everyone has a choice to believe and be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. That’s the only way, there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (10:12).

What should catch our eye in this chapter is the discussion of the olive tree (11:11-24). Olive trees are very common in the Middle East and were often used as a metaphor for the people of God. This is not a lesson in horticulture, but more a metaphor that implies there is an ongoing people of God – some are grafted in, some are broken off. The commands in this section are interesting – Do not be arrogant toward other branches (11:18). Do not become proud but fear (11:20). It is faith that connects you to the olive tree of the people of God. You can be grateful that your faith connected you to the tree. But you should be aware that a lack of faith can also cause you to be broken off and disconnected from the olive tree, just as has happened to others. Note the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you will be cut off. (11:22).

That’s a strong warning and we should take note! God is kind, merciful, and able to restore and reconcile people to his family. Yet God also allows judgment to fall when one’s heart has grown hard through continual disobedience. (Recommend Dr. Ben Witherington on this section of Romans!)

How then are we to live and walk in faith? Glad you asked – that’s where Romans 12 begins.