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to indicate that the fact of Israel’s unbelief the question, “Hath God cast away his
was also predicted by Isaiah (53:1). Ro- people?” The verb “to cast away” is in the
mans 10:17 draws the conclusion: “So faith aorist tense, which emphasizes the end
comes from hearing, and hearing through result rather than the process. The idea
the word of [concerning] Christ” (ESV). being expressed here is, “Has God totally
In verses 18-21, Paul puts the blame for and finally rejected the nation of Israel?”
Israel’s unbelief squarely upon the nation. Paul’s immediate response is “God forbid”
In verse 14, Paul had posed the question, or, literally, “May it not be.” Ten times
“How shall they believe in him of whom in Romans Paul uses this expression in
they have not heard?” Now, in verse 18, response to questions he himself asked.
he answers that question: “Yes verily, Darby translates it as “Far be the thought.”
their sound went into all the earth, and As proof that God has not abandoned
their words unto the ends of the world.” His people, Paul states, “For I also am an
Paul applies the principle taught in Psalm Israelite.” Then he states, “God hath not
19:4. In Luke 24:47, the risen Lord Jesus cast away his people which he foreknew”
said to His disciples that “repentance and (v2). The key to the meaning of this state-
remission of sins should be preached in ment is the phrase “which he foreknew.”
his name among all nations, beginning at This is the second time this verb appears
Jerusalem.” In Acts 1:8, the Lord said to in the Roman epistle, the first being in
the disciples, “Ye shall be witnesses unto 8:29. There we read, “For whom he did
me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost conformed to the image of his Son.” Peter
also uses this verb in 1 Peter 1:20: “Who
part of the earth.” Paul wrote in Romans [Christ] verily was foreordained before the
1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of foundation of the world.” Here it is trans-
Christ: for it is the power of God unto lated “was foreordained,” which clearly is
salvation to every one that believeth; to the idea being conveyed. The same is true
the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The in Romans 8:29 and 11:2. Back in chapter 9
Jewish nation was given priority in hear- Paul wrote, “They are not all Israel, which
ing the gospel. But it was not exclusively are of Israel .… They which are the chil-
for them. It seems that one of the greatest dren of the flesh, these are not the children
stumbling-blocks to the Jews was that of God: but the children of the promise
the gospel was not exclusively for them. are counted for the seed” (vv6,8). Paul
Paul asks the question, “Did not Israel continues by reminding them of Elijah’s
know?” (Rom 10:19). He goes on to quote appeal to God, “Lord, they have killed thy
Deuteronomy 32:21 and Isaiah 65:1-2 to prophets, and digged down thine altars;
indicate that the Old Testament Scriptures and I am left alone, and they seek my life,”
certainly warned the nation that, because to which God replied, “I have reserved to
of their unbelief, the gospel was going to myself seven thousand men, who have
go to the Gentiles. If they didn’t know, it not bowed the knee to the image of Baal”
wasn’t because they hadn’t been told. This (11:3-4; see 1Ki 19:14,18). As in the past,
leads us into chapter 11. God still has a remnant who are faithful
to Him (v5). Paul is quick to stress that this
God’s Plan for Israel is on the principle of unmerited favour,
Paul commences chapter 11 by asking not works (v6).

240 TRUTH kTidings August 2025