Romans Chapter 11

1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

This chapter starts out with the Apostle Paul assuring Israel that God has not turned his back on them. They are still his people. He makes reference to Elias who lived in a time of extreme rebellion against God. God was still with that nation even though it was just remnant of people obeying.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Here is a nice verse about salvation. Clean cut, it is by grace and not works. This is echoed throughout the book of Romans.

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.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Paul goes on to say that Israel killing Jesus, was not the end of them. God made good from it, by bringing salvation to the Gentiles. Through this, God could provoke Israel to jealousy and hopefully bring them to a knowledge of Christ. Verse 14 really drives this home, by provoking the Jews to imitate the Christians and out do them.

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

This section of scripture is extremely important. It reveals God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. Paul describe the nation of Israel as the cultivated olive tree, whose roots are with Abraham, Moses, and the elders. When Christ was crucified many of the branches were broken off and new branches were grafted in. The new branches were the gentiles, and the creation of the age of Grace. Both Jew and Gentile are now both God's people and this metaphor illustrates that. No one who is a part of the olive tree or the body of Christ can boast against one another. Everyone is equal. If the unbelieving Jews repent of their unbelief and put their faith in Christ, they can be grafted back in. Paul is saying this so that Israel is not ignorant to God's plan. This is more or less a warning to these people.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

I believe the two verses refer to the second coming of Christ. He says all Israel shall be saved, which will happen at the second coming. They will know Jesus is the Christ and he will take away their sins. This will fulfill the covenant.

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

This section talks about Gods mercy. Both the Jews and Gentiles were unbelievers in God, but in his mercy he brought both salvation.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen

These last verses discuss the greatness of God. No one can comprehend him, his ways are immense. All things are done by God and he deserves all the praise, honor, and glory. Amen

I hope this was a blessing to you, and I will leave you with the Gospel.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: