In Romans 10-11, the Apostle Paul continues to address the relationship between Israel and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He explains the simplicity of salvation through faith, contrasts Israel’s unbelief with the Gentiles’ acceptance, and provides hope for Israel’s future restoration. Throughout these chapters, Paul emphasizes God’s righteousness, the importance of preaching the gospel, and the mystery of God’s sovereign plan for Jews and Gentiles.
Exposition of Romans 10:
Romans 10:1-2
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”
Paul begins by expressing his deep desire for the salvation of Israel. He acknowledges that the Jews have a zeal for God, but their zeal is misplaced because it is not grounded in the correct knowledge of God’s plan for righteousness through Christ. Their passionate adherence to the law cannot save them because true righteousness comes through faith in Christ.
Romans 10:3-4
“For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
The Jews attempted to establish their own righteousness by trying to follow the law perfectly. However, they were ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God through faith. Paul explains that Christ is the end of the law, meaning He is the fulfillment and the goal of the law. Righteousness is now accessible to all who believe in Him, not through human effort or law-keeping.
Romans 10:5-7
“For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
Paul contrasts righteousness by law with righteousness by faith. The law’s standard is perfection—those who seek to live by the law must follow it completely, but this is impossible for fallen humanity. By quoting Deuteronomy 30:12-14, Paul shows that righteousness by faith is accessible. It does not require extraordinary effort, such as ascending to heaven or descending into the abyss, because Christ has already accomplished the work needed for salvation.
Romans 10:8-10
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Paul explains the simplicity of salvation: it is near to us and accessible. Salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ, specifically by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead. Confession with the mouth is an outward expression of what is believed in the heart. Both the inward belief and the outward confession are essential to salvation, resulting in justification and salvation.
Romans 10:11-13
“For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Paul emphasizes the universality of salvation. The gospel is available to all—both Jews and Gentiles—without distinction. The promise is clear: everyone who believes in Christ will not be put to shame, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This reflects the inclusivity of God’s plan for salvation, extending to all who place their faith in Jesus.
Romans 10:14-15
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”
Paul stresses the necessity of preaching the gospel. Salvation comes through faith in Christ, but faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ. Therefore, someone must proclaim the gospel so that others can hear, believe, and be saved. Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 to describe the beauty of those who bring the good news of salvation. This underscores the importance of missions, evangelism, and the sending of preachers to proclaim the gospel to all nations.
Romans 10:16-17
“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Although the gospel has been preached, not all have obeyed it. Paul quotes Isaiah 53:1 to show that Israel’s rejection of the gospel was foretold in the Scriptures. Nevertheless, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. Paul reiterates that faith in Christ is based on the proclamation of the gospel, and those who reject it do so in spite of hearing the truth.
Romans 10:18-21
“But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, ‘I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.’ Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, ‘I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.’ But of Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.’”
Paul addresses another possible objection: Has Israel not heard the gospel? The answer is yes—Israel has heard, but they did not respond in faith. Paul quotes Psalm 19:4 to show that the message of God’s glory has gone out to all the earth. He then uses the words of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:21) and Isaiah (Isaiah 65:1-2) to explain that God provoked Israel to jealousy by extending salvation to the Gentiles. Israel’s rejection of the gospel was part of God’s plan to bring in the Gentiles, yet God continually extended His mercy to them, even though they remained disobedient and contrary.
Exposition of Romans 11:
Romans 11:1-2a
“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.”
Paul now addresses the question of whether God has permanently rejected Israel. His answer is a firm “By no means!” Paul points to himself as proof that God has not rejected Israel because he, as an Israelite, is a believer in Christ. God has not cast off His people whom He foreknew. There remains a faithful remnant of Jews who have come to faith in Christ, just as God foreknew and planned.
Romans 11:2b-4
“Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? ‘Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.’ But what is God’s reply to him? ‘I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’”
Paul uses the story of Elijah’s despair (1 Kings 19:10-18) to illustrate that, even when it seems like all of Israel has turned away from God, God always preserves a remnant. In Elijah’s time, though many in Israel worshiped Baal, God had reserved for Himself a remnant of 7,000 who remained faithful. Paul applies this to his own day, indicating that there is still a remnant of believing Jews, even though much of Israel has rejected Christ.
Romans 11:5-6
“So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”
Paul emphasizes that the remnant of Israel that believes in Christ is chosen by grace, not by works. This continues Paul’s theme throughout Romans that salvation is entirely by God’s grace and not based on human effort or merit. If salvation were based on works, grace would no longer be grace because grace, by definition, is unearned favor from God.
Romans 11:7-10
“What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.’ And David says, ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.’”
Paul explains that Israel failed to obtain the righteousness they were seeking because they sought it through the law, not through faith in Christ. The elect—those Jews who believed in Christ—obtained righteousness, but the rest of Israel was hardened. Paul quotes Isaiah 29:10 and Psalm 69:22-23 to show that God allowed this hardening of Israel as part of His sovereign plan, a judicial act in response to their rejection of Christ.
Romans 11:11-12
“So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!”
Paul asks whether Israel’s stumbling (their rejection of Christ) is final and complete. His answer is no—Israel’s stumbling is not meant for their ultimate fall. Instead, their rejection of Christ has led to salvation coming to the Gentiles, which in turn is meant to provoke Israel to jealousy and eventually bring them back to God. Paul looks forward to the day when Israel’s full inclusion (their future widespread belief in Christ) will bring even greater blessings to the world.
Romans 11:13-14
“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.”
Paul turns to address the Gentile believers directly, explaining that his ministry to them is intended not only to bring Gentiles to faith but also to provoke the Jews to jealousy, so that they might turn to Christ. His desire is that, through his ministry to the Gentiles, some of his fellow Jews will be saved.
Romans 11:15-16
“For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”
Paul emphasizes the future hope of Israel’s acceptance. If Israel’s rejection of Christ has resulted in reconciliation for the world (i.e., the inclusion of the Gentiles), then Israel’s future acceptance of Christ will be even more powerful—like life from the dead. The metaphor of dough and branches suggests that Israel’s original role as God’s chosen people still has significance, and their future restoration will bring great blessings.
Romans 11:17-18
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.”
Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to illustrate the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles. Some of the branches (unbelieving Jews) were broken off, and the Gentiles (wild olive shoots) were grafted into the tree, meaning they now share in the blessings of God’s covenant people. However, Paul warns the Gentile believers not to be arrogant or boastful over the broken branches. They are not the source of their own salvation—the root (God’s covenant with Israel) supports them.
Romans 11:19-21
“Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.”
Paul acknowledges that unbelieving Jews were broken off so that the Gentiles could be grafted in. However, the reason for this was their unbelief, not a permanent rejection of the Jewish people. The Gentiles should stand in humility, recognizing that their place in God’s people is based on faith, not merit. If God did not spare the natural branches (Israel), He will not spare the Gentiles either if they fall into unbelief.
Romans 11:22-24
“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.”
Paul highlights both God’s kindness and severity. His severity is shown toward those who have fallen into unbelief (Israel), while His kindness is shown toward the Gentiles who now believe. However, Gentiles must continue in faith to remain in God’s kindness, or else they too will be cut off. Paul also offers hope for Israel’s restoration: if Gentiles, who are “wild branches,” can be grafted into the olive tree, how much more easily can the natural branches (Israel) be grafted back in if they come to faith?
Romans 11:25-26
“Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.’”
Paul reveals a mystery: Israel’s partial hardening (their present unbelief) is temporary and will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to faith. After that, “all Israel will be saved,” meaning that a future widespread turning of Israel to Christ is part of God’s redemptive plan. Paul quotes Isaiah 59:20 to show that the Deliverer (Jesus) will come to save Israel and remove their sin.
Romans 11:27-29
“‘And this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’ As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Paul affirms that God’s covenant promises to Israel are still in effect. Though many Jews are presently enemies of the gospel, they remain beloved by God because of His promises to their forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable, meaning that God’s purposes for Israel cannot be undone or canceled.
Romans 11:30-32
“For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.”
Paul explains that both Jews and Gentiles have experienced disobedience, but God uses this disobedience to extend mercy to both groups. The Gentiles received mercy because of Israel’s disobedience, and in the future, Israel will receive mercy as they see the Gentiles’ faith and turn to Christ. God’s plan allows for all people (both Jews and Gentiles) to experience His mercy, emphasizing that salvation is by God’s grace, not human merit.
Romans 11:33-36
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Paul ends this chapter with a doxology of praise to God. Reflecting on God’s plan for salvation—His wisdom, grace, and mercy—Paul is overwhelmed by the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge. God’s ways are far beyond human understanding, and His judgments are perfect. All things—creation, salvation, and history—come from God, are sustained by God, and exist for God’s glory. Paul’s final conclusion is a call to worship and glorify God for His sovereignty and grace.
Key Themes in Romans 10-11:
- Salvation by Faith: Paul emphasizes the simplicity of the gospel message—salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. This salvation is available to all, both Jews and Gentiles.
- The Necessity of Preaching: Faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ, highlighting the importance of missions and preaching the gospel to all nations.
- Israel’s Unbelief and Future Restoration: Although Israel rejected Christ, this rejection is not final. God has a plan to bring Israel to faith in the future, and a remnant is already being saved.
- God’s Sovereignty and Mercy: God’s sovereign plan includes both Jews and Gentiles. His mercy is shown to all, and His purposes will be fulfilled in His time and way.
- The Mystery of God’s Plan: God’s ways are beyond human understanding. His judgments are unsearchable, and His plan for salvation is both profound and praiseworthy.
Conclusion:
Romans 10-11 reveals God’s magnificent plan for salvation, emphasizing the necessity of faith in Christ and the preaching of the gospel. Paul outlines how both Jews and Gentiles fit into God’s redemptive purposes and how Israel’s present unbelief will one day lead to their restoration. These chapters highlight the sovereignty of God, the importance of faith, and the incredible depth of God’s wisdom and mercy, calling all believers to worship Him for His grace and power.