A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 60 Chapter 9:1 – 5

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Introduction
1. The first note about Romans Chapter 9 is; it is not only about Israel . People try to pass this chapter off as only concerning Israel as they do with the doctrine of election.
2. God loved and still loves Israel and the Old Testament was their time with God; the New Testament is about the entire elect of God and the Lord’s church.
3. Paul was a Jew of Jews, he was a Hebrew of Hebrews, he loved the Jewish teachings and was a hater of Christ Jesus and the Lord’s church, and he was a good Jew in that he wanted all Christians jailed or dead. Philippians 3:4 - 7 “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: (5.) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (6.) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (7.) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
4. Paul became a Christian because God chose him and Jesus Christ saved his soul, he never once regretted what God had made of him in Christ; however his love for the Jewish people never diminished because he was made a Christian. If I were to move to France I would still love America and only want what is best for her my loyalty would never stop no matter where I lived, and this was the feelings of Paul.
5. Paul wanted the Israelites to come to Christ for salvation and here we see that love brought out.
6. However it maybe Paul knew how God worked Paul was a sovereign grace man from head to toe, however that still did not stop his desire and prayer that this nation turn to Christ.
7. While Paul speaks a lot about Israel here, it was because he wanted them to see truth and no longer hate him for being a Christian, but chapter 9 deals with God, mercy, grace, and love. Not for Israel but for His elect whether Jewish or Gentile it does not matter.
2. Verse 1 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,”
1. While the Jews did not believe in Christ they understood honor and Paul only way to justify his fact to them was to have an oath by the same Christ he now worshiped as God.
2. “…I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,” I believe here Paul was serving notice that what he speaks id truth because the Holy Spirit was an influence on his heart.
3. The conscience unless seared is the best way to prove truth. 2 Corinthians 1:12 “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”
3. Verse 2 “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.”
1. For his Jewish brethren, if there is one group of people on earth that should have known and recognized Jesus Christ it was them, but as all lost people they did not.
2. This caused great sorrow in Paul’s heart because he wanted his Jewish brethren to enjoy what he had and he knew their destination was the eternal hell fire.
3. I have much grief for America because as the most blessed nation outside of Israel of God on this earth that she is so ignorant of God and Jesus Christ.
4. Verse 3 “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”
1. People make a way too much of this; they feel like we need an explanation of this, but I must ask why? He loved his people and saw what was coming for them and that was being left behind by God.
2. Up to this point the Jewish nation was The Blessed Of God no doubt. However Paul saw the milk in the pudding (so to speak) God was no longer using Israel He was turning to the Gentile nation; Paul was an Apostle to the church age and to the Gentile nation.
3. Paul knew he could not have himself accursed of God no more than an non-elect can be saved, however this does show just how deep his love was for his people.
4. It was that same with Moses Exodus 32:31 - 33 “And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. (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. (33.) And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”
5. These two men knew they had no control over what God had chosen to do before the world was created; this is simply their old natural man speaking. Neither men were perfect after salvation nor neither are we.
6. If people want to make more than this with this verse please go ahead but I believe it was just their hearts love for their people on both accounts.
5. Verse 4 – 5 “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; (5.) Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
1. Here Paul tells the Israelites how much love God has for them and how blessed they are of God. Although I still contend that he knew God’s usage of them had reached an end, not His love but his usage of them.
2. “…to whom pertaineth the adoption…” not as the sons of God but as the son of God as a chosen nation not as His chosen people. God loves Israel as a nation; if you are saved then He loves you as a chosen person.
3. “…and the glory and the covenants…” These two I believe go together, the glory was God presence with them and the covenants were the blessings of God to them, no other nation or people had these same blessings.
4. “…and the giving of the law…” came through Israel only.
5. “…and the service of God…” This include the tabernacles and temples and priest although we do have the churches but there is a difference.
6. “…and the promises…” remember the promise to Abraham Galatians 3:16 “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” We are part of that promise.
7. Verse 5 “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came…” it is through them that Jesus Christ came.
8. “…who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” This is also Jesus Christ not Israel but as a nation they are forever blessed, remember while God does not use them today for His glory now, He will in the tribulation period use them once more.
9. Indeed they were and will be a blessed nation of God.