How does Righteousness by Faith Affect Jews and Gentiles? (Romans 9)

1. Read: Romans 9:1-5 and Romans 1:16-17

2. About the Text:

1) Romans chapter eight ended with the great blessings found in Christ.

2) Paul now turns to consider those who are not in Christ.

3) Specifically, Paul considers unbelieving Jews and their objections.

4) Paul knew this system very well because he once was once of this mindset (Philippians 3:5-6).

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Paul speaks sincerely (1).

1) He says he is telling the truth.

2) He says he is not lying.

3) He says his conscience is clear.

4) He says the Holy Spirit also witnesses to him.

5) Why would he say this? It is a matter of deep personal significance to him.

2. Paul has great sorrow (2).

1) He has great sorrow.

2) He has continual grief in his heart.

3) Why does he have great sorrow and what is it about?

3. His wish regarding his Jewish brethren (3).

1) He wishes that he were accursed of Christ.

2) He wishes this on behalf of his brethren/countrymen in the flesh.

4. They are Israelites to whom pertain numerous blessings (4-5).

1) The Adoption

2) The Glory

3) The Covenants

4) The Giving of the Law

5) The Service

6) The Promises

7) Of whom are the fathers

8) From whom came the Christ

5. Christ (5)

1) Christ is over all.

2) Christ is the eternally blessed God.

6. Paul is sad because his Jewish brethren are lost without Christ.

1. God’s word is not to be blamed for this being the case (6).

2. They are not all spiritual Israel who are of physical Israel (6).

3. They are not all children of God who are of the seed of Abraham (7).

4. It is in Isaac that God’s seed would be called (7).

5. Paul explains what this means (8).

1) Some children of the flesh of Abraham are not the children of God.

2) The children of the promise are counted as God’s seed/children.

6. Paul explains how this is true (9).

1) The word of promise is God’s word to Sarah to have a child.

2) Isaac was born because of the promise, not because of the flesh.

7. Additionally, God’s promises to Rebecca regarding her children show this (10-13).

1) Rebecca conceived by Isaac.

2) The twins in the womb had not known good or evil.

3) God told Rebecca that the elder would serve the younger.

4) God said that he loved Jacob but hated Esau.

5) This shows that the purpose of God’s election prevailed.

6) This was not of works, but of God who called Isaac.

7) Paul’s point is that the promise and calling of God prevail over the merits of the flesh.

1. These are hypothetical objections of Jews who believe they are saved due to their lineage.

2. Is God unrighteous for some of physical Israel not being His children? (14-18).

1) The answer is “no,” because God will have mercy on those who chooses, not because of who has a certain lineage in the flesh.

2) This means that salvation is not based on man’s devices, but on God’s showing mercy.

3) Pharaoh is also an example of one whom God hardened and did not save.

4) God has mercy on whom He wills and hardens whom He wills.

5) Paul’s point is that God is not subject to man, but man to God.

3. Why does God find fault? Who has resisted His will? (19-24)

1) Who is man to reply against God?

2) Does the clay question the potter as to why he has been so made?

3) Doesn’t the potter have the right to make his vessels as he sees fit?

4) What if God wanted to do this?

a. Show His anger by enduring with longsuffering the vessels of wrath?

b. Show His power by making known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy that he prepared beforehand for glory?

5) The vessels of glory are those whom God called not only of the Jews but of the Gentiles.

6) This is Paul’s main point, that some Jews will be lost and some Gentiles will be saved.

4. How does Paul know that some Gentiles will be saved some Jews lost?

1) He quotes from the prophets.

2) Hosea 2:23 proves that some Gentiles will be saved.

3) Isaiah 10:20-23 proves that some Jews will be lost.

4) Isaiah 1:9 proves that some Jews will be lost.

1. Paul’s conclusion about the Gentiles as a group (30).

1) They did not pursue righteousness as Israel did.

2) They have attained to righteousness through the promise of God by their faith.

2. Paul’s conclusion about the Jews as a group (31-33).

1) They pursued the law of righteousness, but did not attain to it.

2) They did not attain to it because they did not pursue it by faith.

3) They did not attain to it because they pursued it by the works of the law.

4) They did not attain to it because they stumbled at the stumbling stone.

5) Isaiah 28:16 predicted that this would happen.

6) Who is the “stone of stumbling” under consideration? Christ Jesus.

1. Remember from Romans 9 . . .

1) Paul’s great sorrow.

2) The True Children of God

3) God is Righteous to Condemn the Faithless and Save the Faithful

4) Faith is the Path to Righteousness

2. Invitation