October 3, 2023 - Romans 10-11

In these chapters, Paul makes it even more clear that salvation is for both Jews and Gentiles. The gospel has been preached to both, particularly, on the day of Pentecost. Here, as Paul longs for the salvation of his fellow Jews, he writes, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (10:4). What’s more, he adds, quoting Joel 2:32, “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (10:12-13).

Back to considering the Jews, Paul asks if God has forgotten them and answers, “No way!” (my paraphrase) and “At the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (11:5). Both Jews and Gentiles cry out, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (11:33) We might, with Paul, consider whether or not the gospel will bear fruit among today’s Jews; after all, so few want to hear the good news and believe it. Paul is hopeful, and so should we be!

Father, whose everlasting love

your only Son for sinners gave,

whose grace to all did freely move,

and sent him down the world to save:

help us your mercy to extol,

immense, unfathomed, unconfined;

to praise the Lamb who died for all,

the Saviour of all humankind. –Charles Wesley (1830)