Paul's hope for the salvation of Israel 1
Righteousness not by the law 5
Anyone who asks may be saved 11
Faith comes by hearing but God's people refused 17
| Text | Comments |
| .1
¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that
they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. .3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. .4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. |
4 - End of the law The word translated "end" also means "goal." Also 1ti0105. Believers look at the law and see in it a picture of Christ whose character it defines re1407h-la. Is the law fulfilled in Christ? Yes. He kept it perfectly. Can fallen human nature keep it perfectly? No. That is why we are promised a portion of the divine nature! 2pe0104. |
| .5
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man
which doeth those things shall live by them.
5 Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. (RSV) 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; .9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. |
5 -
Moses
describeth Rather, "Moses writes." Don't miss the context. In
the previous verse, we saw that Christ was the "end" or purpose of the
law. They could be righteous by keeping the law. Compare ga0312.
The people promised perfect obedience ex1908.
The problem is that this was the old covenant which was unsuccessful. There
was no recognition of the need for grace to provide the closeness to God.
The Jews of the time of Jesus and Paul had this view of salvation which
was by works.
5 - Doeth those things ... live Yes, perfect obedience would have saved them from loss of eternal salvation if it could have been achieved. 6 - Righteousness which is of faith Righteousness is personified. It tells challenges us to find Christ in heaven or the grave. But, as with the old covenant, this endeavor of works fails. We reach Christ by faith as expressed in verse 10. 6 - Speaketh this wise Quoting from de3011-14. 10 - Believeth unto righteousness Quoted from le1805. |
| .11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
.12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. .13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? |
11
- Not be ashamed I take this to mean that they will not discover
that they had made a mistake.
12 - No difference And yet, a difference is still preached especially in relation to the rapture theory. 15 - Except ... sent? From apostello. Our word "apostle" is from this Greek word. "As the Father sent His Son, so the Son sent His apostles, and they in turn, under the guidance of the Spirit of Christ, sent out others (see Luke 9:2; 10:1, 3; John 4:38; 17:18; Acts 26:17; ... The proclamation of a divine message must be made by one who has been commissioned by God for that purpose (cf. Jer. 1:7; 7:25; 14:14, 15; 23:21)." (SDA Bible Commentary). |
| .15
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful
are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings
of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? |
15
- As it is written The quotation is from is5207.
15 - Beautiful ... feet The messengers are welcome is5207. 16 - Not all obeyed the gospel Note the context. Both Jews and Gentiles had heard preachers. Most refused the message. Also notice that obedience is still required although it is not the means of salvation. 16 - Esaias saith Quoting from is5301. |
| .17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
.18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. .19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. .20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. |
17
- Faith cometh Compare "So faith comes
from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ."
(RSV)
18 - Words to the ends of the world From ps01904. The gospel had been widely preached although apparently not yet to Spain ro1520. 21 - I have stretched forth... unto From is6502. Gentiles would receive the Messiah rejected by the Jewish nation.. |
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