Introduction
Paul considers the position of his own people, Israel in God’s sight.
Questions
1. Why did God raise up Pharoah?
v 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
2. What do we learn from Paul's analogy of the potter and the clay?
v 21 Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honour, and another for dishonour
3. How does Paul say that the Gentiles become righteous (right with God) and why did the Jews fail to be righteous?
v 30 to 32 ... That the Gentiles, ... attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith; but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn’t arrive at the law of righteousness. Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. ...
Summary Points
- v 1 to 5 Paul laments that his fellow Jews are not responding to Christ, despite being the nation chosen by God through whom Christ came
- v 6 to 13 The chosen line of heirs to the promises goes from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob
- v 14 to 18 God is always right when He chooses whom he will be merciful to. He chooses people for his purpose so that his name can be proclaimed
- v 19 to 29 God as creator, decides what he will do with people. God is patient with those who are only fit for destruction and is merciful to those who will show his glory. God now selects from both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) those he calls his children
- v 30 to 33 Gentiles (non-Jews) who have faith in God’s promises can be saved, but the Jews’ desire to try to earn righteousness by their own efforts failed