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by Howard
Watson
The Apostle Paul continues with the question of
the Jewish unbelievers in Christ Jesus and the Jewish believers
like himself who have accepted Jesus as the Christ of Jehovah. He
shows how the Gentiles are called to be part of the big tree/family
of God's people which began with believing Israel. Believing Israel
produced Mary and Joseph acccording to God's holy plan of salvation
from sin and redemption/adoption into the family of God. We Gentiles
are joined with the Jews in Christ as our Lord. Paul calls this
unveiling plan of salvation a mystery. Verse twenty-five says:"...I
do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery (musterion) Gk...."
It was hidden in the past but is now made known by God. God had
always found a remnant of Jews, such as in the time of Elijah, when
God reserved 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal. This was not a majority
but it was all God needed to continue the covenant of promise to
Israel of deliverance and salvation ahead. See verse two and following.
This is God's election of grace which does not rest upon human works
but upon the work of God through our faith in Him. Both Jewish sinners
and Gentile sinners, who believe upon the Savior, are heirs to God's
blessing of grace in the one Olive tree/family of God in Christ
Jesus. See verse 22 and following.
So Paul concludes that all Israel will be saved in verse 25 and
following. This is the true Israel which in faith trusts in Jesus
Christ as the Messiah and Lord of the Church 'ecclesia' Gk., the
called out body of Christ. Although many people of the Jewish nation/family
failed to accept Jesus as their Messiah in Paul's day, that does
not take from them the continuing opportunity in the world of yesterday
and today of turning to Christ Jesus. They can be regrafted into
the original Olive tree (believing Israel) again and be saved in
Christ. See verses 7-32.
Paul's hymn of praise and adoration completes this explanation of
this great mystery. See verses 33-36.
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