Romans Chapter 9

Romans Lesson 9

Romans Chapter 9

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

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Introduction: Last week, in the last half of chapter 8, we found that the Holy Spirit intercedes and helps us when we pray. Also, we found that God works all things for good to us who are His children, and Paul elaborated in great detail at the end of the chapter how nothing can separate us from the love of God.

I. Paul’s Concern for Israel

Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Rom 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Paul declares that he is telling the truth when he desires for all of Israel to be saved. His conscience bears witness in the Holy Ghost that this is true. Paul many times said that God was his witness that he told the truth. It takes a man or woman being led by the Spirit of God to have this type of conviction, and it takes walking a circumspect life for those around you to believe you. Paul had great convictions, and was known for his zeal for God.

2 Cor 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

2 Cor 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Phil 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Phil 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

In verse 2, Paul speaks of his continual sorrow in his heart for the nation of Israel. He goes so far in verse 3 to say he wishes he could be accursed from Christ for his brethren. There are various opinions as to what Paul meant by this statement.

Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Paul was a man who knew what it meant to be cut off from Christ. It may have meant that Paul was willing to be cut off from Christ if this would bring the Jews to Christ and for them to be saved. We have a record over in Exodus when Moses had a similar desire to see God forgive Israel.

Exo 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Exo 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

The reality of God is that each man and woman will answer for themselves. The one and only one that could sacrifice His life for others and be acceptable to God was Jesus Christ. This was in the divine plan of salvation by in the council halls of eternity past when God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost made the way of salvation. Paul could not give his life that others might be saved, and while all of us should live in such a way with such dedication, we answer for our decision about whether we believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.

I’ve heard many pastors say that if they could do it, they would be saved for everyone that was in attendance in the services, but we can not make that decision for the other person. Paul’s overwhelming desire was for his kinsmen, the Jews, to be saved. All of us have a special love for our own people and especially our own families. Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus. In hell, the rich man looked up and saw Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom and cried out to Abraham that he might send someone to save his five brothers from the flames of torment.

Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

II. The Privileges of Israel

Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Remember the question that Paul asked at the beginning of Chapter 3. “What advantage then hath the Jew?” The answer is in these 2 verses. They had many privileges given to them because they were the chosen nation of God. They received the adoption… not all nations, just Israel. They received honor and glory because they were God’s witnesses.

Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

What an honor to be the witnesses of God. This was given to one nation and one nation only. Today, in our time, the church is God’s witness in this lost and dying world. Even Israel has lost this honor because they rejected the messiah that God sent. Today, we live in the time of the Gentiles. But one day, and I don’t think it will be long, the nation of Israel will be reborn as in a day. And the great nation of God will once again be known as the nation of God.

God made special covenants with Israel, and those will always be honored. When God makes a promise, he fulfills his end of every bargain. The promise to Abraham extended on into the great nation of Israel and all nations of the earth were blessed.This was through Abraham’s son of the flesh, Isaac, but more so in the greater Son, Jesus Christ, have all nations been blessed.

God gave the law to this chosen nation. The service of the tabernacle and the temple services were given to Israel as a nation. And think of all the promises (some still to come). Many temporal blessings were given and some will be fulfilled in the near future in what is known as the kingdom age. Christ will set up His Millennial kingdom, and we will be here on earth with Him.

Special gifts of the fathers were given. The Jews point back to many great fathers such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Through these men came the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

Matthew Henry pointed out in his commentary that Paul was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. We ought to be in a special manner concerned for the spiritual good of our relations, our brethren and kinsmen. To them we lie under special engagements, and we have more opportunity of doing good to them; and concerning them, and our usefulness to them, we must in a special manner give account.

2. Especially because of their relation to God (v. 4, 5): Who are Israelites, the seed of Abraham, God’s friend, and of Jacob his chosen, taken into the covenant of peculiarity, dignified and distinguished by visible church-privileges, many of which are here mentioned:—(1.) The adoption; not that which is saving, and which entitled to eternal happiness, but that which was external and typical, and entitled them to the land of Canaan. Israel is my son, Ex. 4:22. [1]

III. In Isaac Shall Thy Seed be Called

Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

We can rest certain that the Word of God never has, and never will fail. God is not like man, and can not lie. Every promise He ever made has already, or one day will be fulfilled. There are many failures recorded in the Bible, but not one of them was God’s failure. Man is fleshly, and the flesh will fail us. God is Spirit, and the Spirit is perfect and not subject to fail. Not all the descendants of Abraham, according to the flesh, are God’s chosen people.

John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

John 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Jesus spoke to this group of Jews that did not believe that He was the Son of God. But Jesus did not pardon their ignorance, but pointed out that if they believed not in Him, then they were following after their father the devil. We need to learn when to speak and when to keep silent as it teaches over in Ecclesiastes. I heard David Jeremiah teaching on the meekness of Jesus this past week, and he pointed out that Jesus was a very strong man. He said that the world is done a great disservice when preachers portray Jesus as a helpless and a person with no backbone. Jesus was the ultimate man.

What he taught about meekness was very important. When someone attacked him as a person, he turned the other cheek. But when they attacked God or the Word of God, Jesus sprang into action with no fear and with clear teachings. Several times in the word of God, it tells of Jesus becoming angry. When they would not let the children come to him, it upset Christ. And when they set up the tables to sell animals for sacrifice at the temple, not only was he angry, but he overthrew the tables and drove them out with. Jesus was a strong man, and understood the true meaning of meekness.

John 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Concerning who was God’s chosen people, we find that Ishmael and Esau were not counted as God’s chosen people, but they were the sons of Abraham.

Gen 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Gentiles who have accepted Christ as their Savior are called children of Abraham, but they are not included in the promises mentioned her concerning the nation of Israel.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

IV. Two Lines of Descendants

Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Rom 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

J. Vernon McGee had this to say about verse 8. “The Apostle Paul makes a clear distinction between the elect and the non-elect in the nation Israel. “The children of the flesh” are not the children of God. “ “The children of promise” are the ones counted for the seed. In Acts 21:20, Luke tells us “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law.” There were in Israel thousands of Jews who turned to Christ after His death and resurrection. They were the elect, and Paul always call them “Israel.”

There are two lines of children… the natural and the spiritual descendants. Ishmael was born after the flesh and represent the children of the flesh.

Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

Gal 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

The natural line was figuratively represented in Genesis by the dust of the earth. (Gen 13:16)

Isaac represents the spiritual descendant. He was born in a supernatural way, therefore those who are descended though the line of Isaac are children of the promise. The spiritual seed are represented as the stars of heaven.

Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

V. The Elder (Esau) Shall Serve the Younger (Jacob)

Rom 9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Rom 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.

Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Over in Genesis chapter 25, we find that Esau and Jacob were born twin brothers. Esau was born first. God promised to Rebekah that the elder son would server the young son, before they were born.

Gen 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Gen 25:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

This promise was meant in a ‘national sense’ rather than a ‘personal sense’, since we know that Jacob never exercised power over Esau, nor was Esau subject to Jacob.

Gen 33:8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

Gen 33:9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.

Gen 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

Gen 33:11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

Gen 33:12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.

Gen 33:13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

The elder serving the younger found its fulfillment in the descendants of Jacob and Esau. In later years, Esau’s descendants did serve those of Jacob’s. Verse 13 mentions “As it is written.” What did this refer to? It was about God’s love for Jacob. “Jacob have I love, but Esau have I hated.” The Lord chose Jacob and his seed to be heirs of the promise while rejecting Esau and his seed. One of the reasons God hated Esau was because he sold his birthright.

Gen 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

Gen 25:33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

Gen 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

VI. Is God Unrighteous in Distinguishing between the Nations

Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

In verse 13 of last week’s lesson, we saw Paul speaking of the special love God showed towards Jacob(the nation Israel) and hating Esau (the nation of Edom.)He then asks in this verse, “Is there unrighteousness with God?” for establishing between the nations? The answer is straight and direct, “God forbid.”

We have special privileges today her in America that no other nation has. We are so blessed. What God does among the nations is His business, and no man can stay His hand.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.

Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

In verse 15, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion”. It is important to distinguish that God does not say “I will condemn whom I will condemn to eternal destruction.” God’s desire is that none should perish.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

In verses 16 and 17, it speaks of at least one of the purposes of life for Pharaoh.

Exo 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

VII. The Potter and the Clay

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

God says he will have mercy on whom He desires. Each of us who have found Christ as our Savior should really be thankful that He showed us mercy. If you study some of the scriptures over in Exodus, you find that Pharaoh made up his own mind of his own free will. God allowed him to go on in his wicked way.

Exo 4:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Exo 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exo 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exo 8:32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

In Chuck Swindoll’s study on Romans, “Learning to Walk by Grace”, he explains what Paul meant concerning “For who hath resisted his will?” “Paul isn’t condemning the asking of sincere searching questions. Rather, he’s dealing with a spirit of rebellion—those who call into question God’s sovereign right to do as He wishes with His creatures.

That’s as foolish as the clay asking the potter to explain himself. Paul’s answer is a reminder that God works according to His own perfect counsel and wisdom, even though we may not understand all His reasons.

God has the right to even give men over to a reprobate mind if He so desires.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Because God hardens whom He will and has mercy on whom He will does not mean that God forces men to do every thing. If man did the will of God, all men would b saved. II Pet 3:9 (listed above)

1 Tim 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

The very moment that one speaks of God, he must realize that He is God and has a right to do as He pleases. To reply against God is vanity. The potter has the right over the clay to make it as it pleases Him. Man in his fallen state has no right to claim anything at the hand of God, for we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Isa 29:16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

Isa 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

If He so chose, God would have a perfect right to destroy all sinners. He has a right to show mercy according to His own will, in order to carry out His purpose.

Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

The riches of God’s grace and glory extends to all believers, both of the Jews and Gentiles.

Matthew Henry spoke of the vessels of wrath and mercy.

Two sorts of vessels God forms out of the great lump of fallen mankind:—[1.] Vessels of wrath—vessels filled with wrath, as a vessel of wine is a vessel filled with wine; full of the fury of the Lord, Isa. 51:20. In these God is willing to show his wrath, that is, his punishing justice, and his enmity to sin. This must be shown to all the world, God will make it appear that he hates sin. He will likewise make his power known. It is a power of strength and energy, an inflicting power, which works and effects the destruction of those that perish; it is a destruction that proceeds from the glory of his power, 2 Th. 1:9.

The eternal damnation of sinners will be an abundant demonstration of the power of God; for he will act in it himself immediately, his wrath preying as it were upon guilty consciences, and his arm stretched out totally to destroy their well-being, and yet at the same instant wonderfully to preserve the being of the creature. In order to this, God endured them with much long-suffering—exercised a great deal of patience towards them, let them alone to fill up the measure of sin, to grow till they were ripe for ruin, and so they became fitted for destruction, fitted by their own sin and self-hardening. The reigning corruptions and wickedness of the soul are its preparedness and disposedness for hell: a soul is hereby made combustible matter, fit for the flames of hell.

When Christ said to the Jews (Mt. 23:32), Fill you up then the measure of your father, that upon you may come all the righteous blood (v. 35), he did, as it were, endure them with much long-suffering, that they might, by their own obstinacy and wilfulness in sin, fit themselves for destruction.

[2.] Vessels of mercy—filled with mercy. The happiness bestowed upon the saved remnant is the fruit, not of their merit, but of God’s mercy. The spring of all the joy and glory of heaven is that mercy of God which endures for ever. Vessels of honour must to eternity own themselves vessels of mercy. Observe, First, What he designs in them: To make known the riches of his glory, that is, of his goodness; for God’s goodness is his greatest glory, especially when it is communicated with the greatest sovereignty. [2]

VIII. Prophecy about the Gentiles from the Old Testament

Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

Rom 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

We are told in these verses that only a remnant shall be saved. Some today teach that a Jew (born as a Jew by a natural birth) is born into the family of God. This is not so. Only those who are born again are born into the family of God.

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

J. Vernon McGee spoke of the verses referenced in Hosea.

“Osee” is the Greek name of the prophet Hosea. This is a quotation from Hosea 2:23, and it refers to the nation Israel. Peter refers this prophecy to the believing remnant in his day which perpetuated the nation. To his people who had turned to Christ, he says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9–10).

The second prophecy (v. 26) is from Hosea 1:10 and refers to Gentiles anyplace on the earth who turn to Christ now and in the future. As James put it: “That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things” (Acts 15:17).

And so God reached into Europe. He did not send the gospel into Europe because the people there were superior. Some members of the white race seem to think that they are superior people. They are not. The Chinese were way ahead of my ancestors in Paul’s day. My ancestors—and perhaps yours—were there in the forests of Europe. A branch of my family was over in Scotland.

I am told they were the dirtiest, filthiest savages who have ever been on this earth. Do you think God carried the gospel to them because they were superior? They were anything but that. “It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (v. 16). I thank Him for that—how wonderful it is! [3]

Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

Rom 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

Verse 27 comes from Isaiah 10:22 and verse 29 comes from Isaiah 1:9. It is the Lord who is the one who left the remnant.

IX. The Gentiles Attained Righteousness because they Sought it by Faith

Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

What shall we say then? The Gentiles, who did not follow after righteousness, have attained to righteousness by faith. They believed the Gospel and were saved by faith in Christ.

Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Israel sought righteousness by the law and failed to obtain it because God’s righteousness is not obtained by the law or works of the law, but by faith. Rom 4:1-5, Gal 3:11

Because the Jews sought righteousness by the works of the law, they stumbled at the stumbling stone which is Christ.

1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Salvation is not now, neither has it ever been obtained in any other way except by a trusting faith in Jesus Christ. In Isaiah, he spoke of a special stone. That stone is foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. That sure foundation is Jesus Christ.

Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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Practice Random Acts of Kindness. Each act spreads, and many will be blessed.

1] Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.

[2] Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.

[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.