The faithfulness of God. Paul\u27s prophetic response to Israel: An exegesis of Romans 11:1-36

The content of the Apostle\u27s disclosure in the Israel section concerning the question of Jewish unbelief and the fate of Israel with respect to salvation is unique to Paul\u27s Letter to the Romans. Originally considered an appendix or excursus separate from the letter\u27s main instructional material, Romans 9-11 has been shown to be essential in demonstrating the truth of the gospel\u27s forecast of the fulfillment of God\u27s promise to Israel (1:2), and in providing both the final unfolding of the letter\u27s programmatic statement (1:16-17), and the concrete application and full explication of its central thesis, justification by faith (3:21-26). Paul\u27s final response to the Jewish objection to his gospel (3:1-8) comes also in Romans 11, where he targets the specific tension within the Roman congregation of the Gentiles\u27 boastful attitude toward the Jews that necessitated the discussion of Israel\u27s priority in salvation history and thus conclusively explains what was meant by the thematic refrain to the Jew first (1:16). In the mysterion (11:25-32) which sums up the whole sweep of God\u27s plan in salvation history, Paul discloses that Israel\u27s temporary hardening was ordered to the salvation of all Israel, and the fulfillment of God\u27s promise to the chosen people. Not only has Israel\u27s enmity toward the gospel opened up the possibility of salvation for the Gentiles, but it also serves God\u27s purpose in bringing Israel to that final experience of God\u27s mercy which is salvation for all peoples, the justification of the ungodly which Paul summarizes in his amazing conclusion (11:32). For according to the divine plan articulated in verse 32, all people must experience disobedience, even the elect, so as to make the triumph of God\u27s mercy fully universal. Even as Paul maintains his thesis that one is justified through faith in Jesus Christ, he insists that Israel\u27s salvation will come to pass, not by any Christian mission to the Jews but by God alone, through the prophecied Deliverer who will usher in the final eschatological event that will impact upon all creation (11:25-26; cf.11:15). Indeed, of the entire Christian tradition, only here is Israel\u27s continuing role in God\u27s plan of salvation history conclusively stated. The recovery of the truth of the Apostle\u27s disclosure of the connection between Jews and Christians in God\u27s saving plan provides an unshakable basis for continuing dialogue and deepening relations between both groups