Romans 11:13-15

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 79 Chapter 11:13 – 15

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 13 “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”
1. “For I speak to you Gentiles…” - If you will remember at the start of this letter we made the point that this church was all or mostly Gentiles, here is proof. Although it is believed the church at Rome was mixed with Gentiles and Jews because Paul actually addresses both in this letter.
2. “…inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles…” - Paul was a chosen Apostle to the Gentiles, however not exclusively but primarily.

a. Acts 9:15 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel :” – I believe this has to do with the Lord turning the work of proclaiming the gospel over to the Gentile churches.

b. Galatians 1:16 “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen (or Gentiles); immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”

3. “…I magnify mine office:” That is - literally, I honor ministry. - Someone said “It carries the idea of stretching beyond the bounds of truth” we would think of it as “going above and beyond the norm”. – Paul wanted no glory but he would give anything to carry the Gospel and biblical truth to the Gentiles, and he did.
1. Verse 14 “If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.”

1. The question is, why did God choose to use the Gentiles and basically retire the Jews for a short time? – Verse 11 “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.”

a. The word “emulation” means - to stimulate alongside, that is, excite to rivalry – which is basically what he had said in verse 11.

b. “…which are my flesh…” - which is my Jewish brethren.

2. “…and might save some of them.” – Paul still had hope and prayed often for the salvation of the Jews, even understanding Gods sovereignty; we can hope and pray for the lost closest to us. Never stop and give up. 1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” - James 5:20 “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
2. Verse 15 “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

1. Is there a conflict or even a contradiction between verse 1 and verse 15? No there is not! The bible never contradicts itself!

a. The words “cast away” in verse 1 come from the Greek word – apōtheō – which means - to thrust from oneself, to cast off, by way of rejection – which signifies a total and eternal rejection. So the question in verse 1 is Has God totally and eternally rejected Israel ? And Paul’s answers “God forbid”

b. We also see this word used in Acts 13:46 “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” They had thrown away the word of God or totally rejected it.

c. The words “casting away” in verse 15 come from the Greek word - apobolē - which means – rejection – however this Greek word comes from the word – apoballō – which means - to lay aside – So God did not totally cast off Israel but rather He set them aside for a little time.

d. God never sets His chosen ones off eternally but He can set them aside and not use them as He did with His beloved Nation Israel .

e. Israel brought this on themselves with their sins or crimes against God, however God will use a remnant again in the Tribulation period. This is not a final rejection of them.

2. “…reconciling of the world…” Since God had “set them aside for a time” He took the Gospel to the world or to the Gentiles, and Paul was His tool in doing this, the Apostle to the Gentiles or to the rest of the world. 2 Corinthians 5:18 - 19 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19.) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
3. “…what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”I believe this could be talking about the Jews saved in the Tribulation period, what will be the receiving from Christ to them when they are saved? It will be a wonderful reunion, lets not forget the man Christ Jesus was a Jew, as Paul was and His love will shine when this day comes.