Peter Barnes | Romans 9:1-3
SERMON NOTES
ANGUISH FOR ISRAEL
(Romans 9:1-3)
– Romans 9-11 is about God’s faithfulness as illustrated in His dealings with the Jews; what Paul wishes for the Jews (9:1-3; 10:1) will be accomplished (11:25-26a)
1. Paul is speaking divine truth.
– 9:1-2; 10:1; Paul is assuring his readers that what he is saying is true (see too 2 Cor.11:31; Gal.1:20; 1 Tim.2:7)
2. Paul’s great anguish for Israel.
– 9:2; Calvin says this shows that the Stoic has it wrong
– note how Paul was provoked to proclaim the gospel to Gentiles in Acts 17:16
3. Paul would suffer hell for Israel.
– 9:3; see too 1 Cor.12:3; 16:22; Gal.1:8-9; clearly Paul could not be condemned (Rom.8:38-39)
– echoes Gen.44:33; Ex.32:31-32; 2 Sam.18:33
– Robert Haldane: ‘He who has no sorrow for the perishing state of sinners, and especially of his kindred, is not a Christian.’ Edward Elton in 1653: ‘we are bound to love and honour the Jews, as being the ancient people of God, to wish them well, and to be earnest in prayer to God for their conversion’.
– The Paul who wrote Romans 9:18 also wrote Romans 9:3.