Bible Study, Christian Living, Encouragement, God

Romans 11:17-36 (Wednesday Evening Bible Study)

Romans 11:17-36

  • Where we left off last week:
    • God Promised a Remnant of Israel
  • Take Away from last week:
    • God has not given up on the Jews
    • Paul thinks the Jews will respond to the gospel in the future
    • Every Jew will not be saved
    • The Jews will not be saved differently than anyone else
    • To be saved one must respond faithfully to the gospel
  • Romans 11:17-21
  • 17 Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them and have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree, 18 do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast—you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but beware, 21 because if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
    • How many olive trees is Paul talking about?  Two a cultivated olive  tree and an  wild olive  tree 
    • What does the cultivated olive tree represent? See Jeremiah 11:16-17 & Hosea 14:5-6
    • Jeremiah 11:16-17
      • The Lord named you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. He has set fire to it, and its branches are consumed with the sound of a mighty tumult. 17 “The Lord of Armies who planted you has decreed disaster against you, because of the disaster the house of Israel and the house of Judah brought on themselves when they angered me by burning incense to Baal.”
    • Hosea 14:5-6
      • I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. 6 His new branches will spread, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance, like the forest of Lebanon.
    • This is picture of Israel, the Jews.
    • Who does the “wild” olive shoot represent?
      • The Gentile Christian 
    • What happened to allow this wild shoot to be grafted into the olive tree?
      • Verse 17 Some (many) branches were broken off
    • Why were these branches broken off to begin with?
      • Because of unbelief but not all the branches were broken off…the Gentile shoot was grafted in among them indicating that those branches not removed were Jewish Christians believing Jesus to be the Messiah.
    • Who would the “root” represent?
      • See Revelation 22:16 Jesus Christ
      • Rev 22:16; 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
    • What attitude should be avoided by the grafted in branches (Gentile Christians)?
      • Superior attitude…That somehow I am better then these broken off branches…God must see me as more value then they.
    • What keeps any branch connected to the tree?
      • Faith and belief in Jesus Christ
  • Romans 11:22-24
  • 22 Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you—if you remain in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, because God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from your native wild olive tree and against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these—the natural branches—be grafted into their own olive tree?
    • What are we to consider?
      • kindness and severity of God…How do we continue in God’s kindness? Be being faithful…by continuing to trust in Christ
    • What can God do with the branches that do not persist in unbelief?
      • God is able to graft them in again. 
  • Romans 11:25-27
  • 25 I don’t want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.
    • What is the mystery that Paul is revealing?
      • We Gentile Christians should not be conceited at all because God is using the hardening of the Jews until the full number  of Gentiles as responded to the gospel
    • How should we understand verse 26,
      • …and in this way all Israel will be saved?
        • Should we take all to mean every Jew that is living at that time? Or take all to mean a large number of Jews, those who will respond to the gospel?  Or is all Israel all the Jewish and Gentile who respond to the gospel?
        • If this is speaking only to the Jews then Paul is saying after the number Gentiles has been fulfilled then the all of the Jews that will respond, will. I really don’t think it means every Jews will be saved. But a large number is what Paul as in mind  here.
    • The redeemer in verse 26 & 27 is Jesus Christ.
  • Romans 11:28-32
  • 28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage, but regarding election, they are loved because of the patriarchs, 29 since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable. 30 As you once disobeyed God but now have received mercy through their disobedience, 31 so they too have now disobeyed, resulting in mercy to you, so that they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may have mercy on all.
    • The unbelieving Jews are considered what by God?
      • But because of God’s choice, they are what? Unbelief places them as enemies of God but yet choice is to love them and continue to seek salvation.
    • Who is God extending mercy to?
      • The Gentiles by way of the gospel which included the hardening of the Jews and He will extend that same mercy to the Jews
    • Are all disobedient to God?
      • Who is saved apart from God’s mercy? No one
    • Are the Jews still loved by God?
      • Is God still faithful to His promises? 
  • This final section is called a “doxology.” A doxology is a hymn of praise to God. Paul is praising God for all he does
  • Romans 11:33-36
  • Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? 35 And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
    • Are God’s ways higher than our ways?
    • Have we done anything to deserve the salvation and mercy of God?
    • How should we respond to what God has done for us?
  • Take Away:
    • Has God given up on the Jews?
    • What does God desire for the Jews? What does God desire for the Gentiles?
      • Repentance and faithful response to Jesus Christ
    • Can Christians be cut off from salvation?
      • But they are not cut off because of indiscretion or momentary moral lapses but for unbelief
    • Our Salvation is truly a precious thing- a free gift- don’t take for granted
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Published by crosseyedjesusfreak

Kraig Birchfield is a Christ follower, husband to Kelley, Tennessee Volunteer football fan, and a Crosseyed Jesus Freak.  He is passionate about his faith, writing, reading, sports, and his calling; Preaching the Word of God!  Amory, MS is where he and his wife Kelley make their home, and he is the minister at North Boulevard Christian Church  since January of 2020.  He loves God, loves his family, and wants nothing more than to inspire you in your walk with Jesus.  If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior yet, he would love to talk to you about what that means as well.

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