Romans 11:33-36 In this lesson we first review Paul's explanation in chapters 9-11 of how God has worked through salvation history. He culminates this masterpiece with a hymn of praise of God. What are the two different ways this passage might be translated? What are three things about God that are infinitely deep? What does Paul have in mind when he speaks of the riches of God? What is God's wisdom? What is God's knowledge? Why can no one be God's counselor? What are two things we must keep in mind about knowing the mind of God in view of what Paul says here about it being unsearchable? How do the "mystery" of Romans 9-11 and Jesus himself relate to the matter of knowing the unknowable mind of God? If everything is from, through, and to God, how can we be comforted while realizing that God's mind is so unsearchable? (52 min)

Keywords Mercy, Israel, Gentiles, Omniscience, Wisdom, Knowledge

Romans 11:26-32 Picking up from where we left off two weeks ago, Paul explains how it is that all Israel will be saved. With what does he say that Israel's spiritual renewal will be associated? Why does Paul apparently make an alteration in his quotation of Isaiah? What is it about the gifts and calling of God that is the basis for Paul's confidence? What gifts and calling does he appear to have in mind? If the Gentiles to whom Paul writes are inclined to be skeptical about Paul's expectations of a great salvation of Israel, what experience does Paul offer as evidence? How does God's use of Israel's disobedience and His use of the mercy shown to Gentiles bear on the subject of the problem of evil? In all of the hardening of both the Jews and the Gentiles, indeed of all people, what is the overriding purpose of God? How can we be sure this verse does not teach universalism (that all people will be saved)? (56 min)

Keywords Israel, Gentiles, Mercy, Hardening, Salvation, Mystery

Romans 11:25-27 Paul now begins to summarize all that he has taught us in chapter 11, and also to conclude his entire argument in chapters 9 thru 11. He begins by saying that he does not wish us to be uninformed or ignorant. What is the significance of Paul's repeated use of this phrase in his writings? What is the relationship between knowledge and actions? If we are unaware of the mystery he speaks of here, what is a possible consequence? What are the two ways that the concept of mystery was viewed within the culture of the first century. What were the mystery religions, and how are they manifest in contemporary culture. How does the accessibility to "truth" become a "seller's market," and why is that not good? How does Paul use the concept of mystery? What are some of the many mysteries of which Paul writes? What is the mystery he speaks of in this chapter, and what are its chief elements? What are the three questions that confront us when Paul says "So all Israel will be saved"? (55 min)

Keywords Israel, Gentiles, Mystery

Romans 11:22-24 The subject which Paul introduced in the verses in our last lesson raises a subject he enjoins us to give careful thought to: the kindness and severity of God. This is the subject of the present verses we consider in this lesson. How are we to understand Paul's discussion of groups or nations, as opposed to individuals? What is a common error people make in their view of God? What is an "eccentric" Christian? What is Paul's point in bringing up the subject of God's kindness and severity? How does this truth about God have bearing on Gentile Christians? What personal application can we make from God's kindness and severity? Do God's forgiven people ever encounter the severity of God? What can one who is encountering the severity of God do to experience God's kindness? (62 min)

Keywords Grafted In, Broken Off, Israel, Gentiles, Kindness, Severity

Romans 11:1-2 The Apostle Paul, having demonstrated that Israel's unbelief is due only to her own disobedience and obstinacy, he now addresses the question of whether or not Israel has been rejected by God. In this passage we are introduced to the concept of the remnant. What is an important distinction to keep in view when Paul is speaking about Israel? What are the reasons Paul gives for knowing that Israel has not been rejected by God? What is Paul trying to tell us when he speaks of his being an ethnic Israelite? When he says that Israel is foreknown by God, of which Israel does he speak, ethnic Israel or the remnant? Why is an understanding of God's transcendence critical in understanding His foreknowledge? What are the two meanings which are offered for foreknowledge? How can we know which one is correct? How does God's foreknowledge prove that God has not rejected Israel? What encouragement can we take from this reality? (59 min)

Keywords Israel, Foreknowledge

Romans 9:27-33 In our previous lesson we discovered that God freely chose to call the Gentiles, who were not his people, his people. In today's lesson we find that in contrast only a few Jews, only a remnant, are among the people of God. This is the conclusion of the point Paul made in the early part of the chapter about not all the descendants of Abraham being true Israel. Is this point of Paul's something new, or does he have biblical warrant for his argument? What is the significance of Paul's use of the Greek word for seed? If God had not left such a seed, what would have happened? Paul begins to tell us now what it is that defines this remnant, as well as what constitutes the true people of God. How does Paul contrast the Gentile and Jewish approach to righteousness? What is important about the words "pursue" and "attain?" How did Gentiles attain righteousness? What hindered the majority of Israel from attaining righteousness? Why is the stone of Romans 9, I Peter 2, and Isaiah a stumbling block to some, but precious to others? What is the promise to those who believe in the stone? (59 min)

Keywords Remnant, Israel, Gentiles, Stumbling Stone, Faith

Romans 9:6-13 If, as we saw in our last lesson in Romans 9:1-5, Israel seems to have lost out on the blessings that were once hers, can we conclude then that God's word has failed? This is the issue Paul addresses in this week's lesson. What is Paul specifically referring to when he speaks of God’s word? What is the idea of failing that Paul introduces? What is God's purpose for Israel? In Romans 9-11 Paul speaks of two different Israels. In verses 1-5, of what Israel does he speak? The other Israel he writes about is what we refer to as the true spiritual Israel. In some places Paul speaks of the true Israel or descendants of Abraham as being the whole church, Jews and Gentiles. This is not the case here. How do we know this? What is he referring to? How does Paul prove his point that not all the descendants of Israel are the true spiritual Israel? What are the two promises Paul cites which limit true Israel to less than all the descendants of Abraham and Isaac? Of what does God speak when He gives his promise to Rebekah concerning what she is experiencing in her womb? How do we know that this passage is not addressing God's dealing with individuals, but with nations or groups of people? What does God mean when He says "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated?" What is the main point that Paul seeks to establish in Romans 9-11, and how will we know if he succeeds? (62 min)

Keywords Israel, Promise, Predestined, Calling, Jacob, Esau, Ishamael, Isaac

Romans 9:1-5 In this lesson we begin our study of Romans 9-11. People view these chapters from a variety of perspectives, and some simply avoid studying them because of the difficulties they present. What are some of the questions we are confronted with in these chapters? Are these three chapters an appendix to Paul's main thrust in Romans, or do they contain matters that directly relate to that emphasis? Is Paul concerned here chiefly with issues pertaining to individual salvation, or does he have something else in view? How can one be careful, when interpreting specific verses or points in these chapters, to ensure that he or she is finding the right interpretation? What two groups of people does Paul concern himself with in these chapters? As Paul opens his discussion in 9:1-5, why is he so insistent that he is telling the truth? Paul speaks of his "great sorrow" and his "unceasing grief." What is he so sorrowful about? To what extreme can Paul imagine going in order to alleviate his sorrow? What does scripture say about such a suggestion? How can Paul's remarks in this passage be likened to looking on the ruins of a great civilization? (69 min)

Keywords Israel, Jews, Predestined, Adoption