In Romans 9 6-29, what point is Paul trying to make?

Answer 1

Good question....Paul is saying here that not all of the physical descendants of Abraham are to be considered those offered the promise of eternal salvation (in other words it is not the literal Jews, but the spiritual Jews who are saved - those who believe in Christ). For those who believe in Christ are the true SPIRITUAL descendants of Abraham. He used the example of Esau here because Esau was the one first in line to receive the inheritance rights because he was the first born son....yet God gave the rights to Jacob instead because Esau despised his inheritance rights...

This is why Jesus said to those who practiced Judaism, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. "

Furthermore, the Bibles tells us, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Answer 2

The physical Jews believed that since they were the offspring of Abraham, that they were the ones to whom the promises were made.However, Romans 9:6-7, tells us something totally different. "But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel.. Nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but in "Issac" your seed shall be called"....

In other words, all of Abraham's children are not "chosen" and they are not all Israel. Therefore, a physical Jew is not necessarily one of God's chosen people. The "seed of Abraham" is not determined by natural birth or genes or nationality...Rather it is Spiritual Birth, whether or not one has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior... After all Galatians 3:7 tells us plainly: "Know ye therefore, that they which are of the "Faith", the same are the Children Of Abraham".....

Even in the church, not all are truly of the church... There are many who profess to be Christians, but in fact are not Christians.. they may look like Christians, and act like Christians, by doing good deeds and going to church..yet they are nothing but filthy tombs that have been covered to hide their true disgust...These are the ones to whom Jesus will say...."Depart from me you workers of iniquity into the lake of fire and brimstone prepared for the devil and his angels..."I NEVER KNEW YOU"....

Answer 3

I think paul is trying to explain who god is and his ways. Romans 12 ,I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy,and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. He wanted to include the gentiles as being his children. Roman 25&26 ,I will call them My people, who were not My people.And her beloved, who was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them.You are not My people,There they will be called sons of the living God.

Answer 4

That God is taking away the special relationship with the nation of Israel and giving it to the Christian Congregation.

Since Israel broke the covenent with God, he has the legal right to choose someone else.

Gal.6:15,16 shows that the new creation of the Isreal of God is now the Christian Congregation.

True Jews today are Christians.

Answer 5

This is by far the best explanation I have read on this subject....

Answer 6

Wow! That is a huge topic. I think I will just give you Matthew Henry's comments on this chapter. Don't forget to pray for God's help on this all important topic. :)

The apostle's concern that his countrymen were strangers to the gospel. (1-5) The promises are made good to the spiritual seed of Abraham. (6-13) Answers to objections against God's sovereign conduct, in exercising mercy and justice. (14-24) This sovereignty is in God's dealing both with Jews and Gentiles. (25-29) The falling short of the Jews is owing to their seeking justification, not by faith, but by the works of the law. (30-33)
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Being about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, and to show that the whole agrees with the sovereign electing love of God, the apostle expresses strongly his affection for his people. He solemnly appeals to Christ; and his conscience, enlightened and directed by the Holy Spirit, bore witness to his sincerity. He would submit to be treated as "accursed," to be disgraced, crucified; and even for a time be in the deepest horror and distress; if he could rescue his nation from the destruction about to come upon them for their obstinate unbelief. To be insensible to the eternal condition of our fellow-creatures, is contrary both to the love required by the law, and the mercy of the gospel. They had long been professed worshippers of Jehovah. The law, and the national covenant which was grounded thereon, belonged to them. The temple worship was typical of salvation by the Messiah, and the means of communion with God. All the promises concerning Christ and his salvation were given to them. He is not only over all, as Mediator, but he is God blessed for ever.

The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children of wrath even as others. If left to themselves they would have continued in sin through life; but for wise and holy reasons, not made known to us, he purposed to change Jacob's heart, and to leave Esau to his perverseness. This instance of Esau and Jacob throws light upon the Divine conduct to the fallen race of man. The whole Scripture shows the difference between the professed Christian and the real believer. Outward privileges are bestowed on many who are not the children of God. There is, however, full encouragement to diligent use of the means of grace which God has appointed.

Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein the holy, happy people of God differ from others, God's grace alone makes them differ. In this preventing, effectual, distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor, whose grace is his own. None have deserved it; so that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those who perish, must blame themselves only, Hosea 13:9. God is bound no further than he has been pleased to bind himself by his own covenant and promise, which is his revealed will. And this is, that he will receive, and not cast out, those that come to Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming, is an anticipating, distinguishing favour to whom he will. Why does he yet find fault? This is not an objection to be made by the creature against his Creator, by man against God. The truth, as it is in Jesus, abases man as nothing, as less than nothing, and advances God as sovereign Lord of all. Who art thou that art so foolish, so feeble, so unable to judge the Divine counsels? It becomes us to submit to him, not to reply against him. Would not men allow the infinite God the same sovereign right to manage the affairs of the creation, as the potter exercises in disposing of his clay, when of the same lump he makes one vessel to a more honourable, and one to a meaner use? God could do no wrong, however it might appear to men. God will make it appear that he hates sin. Also, he formed vessels filled with mercy. Sanctification is the preparation of the soul for glory. This is God's work. Sinners fit themselves for hell, but it is God who prepares saints for heaven; and all whom God designs for heaven hereafter, he fits for heaven now. Would we know who these vessels of mercy are? Those whom God has called; and these not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles. Surely there can be no unrighteousness in any of these Divine dispensations. Nor in God's exercising long-suffering, patience, and forbearance towards sinners under increasing guilt, before he brings utter destruction upon them. The fault is in the hardened sinner himself. As to all who love and fear God, however such truths appear beyond their reason to fathom, yet they should keep silence before him. It is the Lord alone who made us to differ; we should adore his pardoning mercy and new-creating grace, and give diligence to make our calling and election sure.

The rejecting of the Jews, and the taking in the Gentiles, were foretold in the Old Testament. It tends very much to the clearing of a truth, to observe how the Scripture is fulfilled in it. It is a wonder of Divine power and mercy that there are any saved: for even those left to be a seed, if God had dealt with them according to their sins, had perished with the rest. This great truth this Scripture teaches us. Even among the vast number of professing Christians it is to be feared that only a remnant will be saved.