Bible Question: Why would the Jews be considered enemies of the gospel? |
Bible Answer: Greetings begbie! Study this and I think it will help you understand. This was taken from the Bible Knowledge Commentary "11:28-29. Here Paul summarized God’s dealings with Israel and with the Gentiles. In order for God to bring the gospel to Gentiles He had to deal with Israel corporately as enemies. But in relation to God’s choice (election) of Abraham and His covenant with him and the patriarchs, Israel is beloved. Because God chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. 9:6-13), He loves the nation and will carry through on His promises. This is another reason Israel’s hardening must be temporary (cf. 11:15, 22-25) and she must finally be saved corporately: God chose her. And God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable (lit., “for not repented of are the grace-gifts and the calling of God”). He does not revoke what He has given or whom He has chosen (“call” means election and salvation; cf. 1:6; 8:30). 11:30-32. The Gentiles to whom Paul wrote were at one time disobedient to God, but in this Age of Grace Gentiles (you) have now received mercy. When Adam disobeyed (5:19) all were constituted sinners because all humanity sinned in Adam (5:12). (Cf. “disobedient” in Eph. 2:2; 5:6; and “disobedience” in Heb. 4:6, 11.) Israel (they) is now corporately disobedient to God so that when God’s mercy to the Gentiles (you) reaches its full number (Rom. 11:25), Israel will again receive mercy (cf. vv. 26-27). God’s ultimate purpose is to have mercy on... all. To do so justly God has bound (synekleisen, “enclosed, shut in on all sides”) all men over to disobedience. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). “Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” (3:9), so that “there is no difference” (3:22). When the Gentiles rejected God and disobeyed Him (1:17-21), God chose Abraham and his descendants as His special people. Now the disobedience of the Jews enables God to show mercy to the Gentiles. Then, when that purpose is achieved, He will again show mercy to Israel corporately." —Bible Knowledge Commentary Steve |