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e) The Apostle’s Worship (Romans 11:33-36)
ROMANS 11:33-36
33 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?” 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
Paul was afraid of the spiritual situation of the Jews, but was at the same time filled with thankfulness and praise for the early believers of the Jews in Jerusalem. He magnified the Holy One for the increasing number of believers of the other peoples, and his feelings of anxiety were calmed down because of the abundant love of God. He confessed his mercy, but did not deny his punishment. Paul recognized the love of the Almighty, believed his misunderstood ways, and finally testified, saying: “God is beyond our understandings. We trust him, and place our thoughts under his will and revelation” (Isaiah 40:13; 45:15; 55:8-9; Romans 11:33).
Blessed is he who worships his Lord faithfully, praises him, and thanks him, because he recognizes the Holy One in his love. The Spirit of truth leads him to the depths of divinity, and to the realization of the riches of his spirit in his practical gifts. In the second part of his epistle, Paul reaches the end and design of his subject. He confesses the hardening of the people of Jacob, and recognizes that the reason behind it was their unbelief and their opposition to the will of God; Paul does not deny this truth.
At the same time he encourages the believers of Jewish origin, and some gentlemen in Rome, that God will accept them once again because of his limitless grace. However, the Lord incited the Jews through the new believers of the Gentiles, showing them their love, humility, purity, and their service in Anatolia, and guiding them to practical service with cooperation and faithfulness.
But the historical fact developed in opposition to what Paul had hoped for. Paul himself was the first victim of the spite of the Jews. He was beheaded in Rome as a result of their false claim.
Paul noticed this hardening towards himself and his gospel, and repeated the spiritual truth to the Jews, as the prophet Isaiah had declared it. He wrote: "’Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!’ And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves” (Acts 28:26-29).
Paul remained in the Roman prisons for many years because of the judgment of the Jewish council against him (Acts 23:1 -28:16). As a result of their obstinacy and spite, he had to travel to Rome where the Caesar personally adjudged him (Acts 27:1 - 28:16). His imprisonment, though, was not hard, for the Romans permitted him to preach the gospel to all those who wanted to listen to him.
A few number of the Jews in Rome believed, while the majority of their elders and rabbis did not accept his teaching, but regarded Christianity as a Jewish sect (Acts 28:22). They had a great influence on the judges, even after he was beheaded.
The spite of the Jews against the apostle of the Gentiles reached its end, but the epistles of Paul were spread without any obstruction. Even today, they draw innumerable numbers of Jews and Gentiles to believe in Christ. It is evident that Paul, who lives in Christ, walks in the triumph in Christ to the end of the world.
PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we worship you with the apostle Paul. We magnify you for your love and anger; praise you for your mercy and judgments; and rejoice in your wise ways and faithful grace. We particularly thank you because you brought us in Christ that we might be your beloved children.
QUESTIONS:
- What is meant by the fullness of grace and the wisdom of God?
- How does God continue righteous if he hardens his chosen people, and in the end he accepts the holy remnant, and considers them of all the children of Jacob?
QUIZ - 3
Dear reader,
Having read our comments on the Letter of Paul to the Romans in this booklet, you are now able to answer the following questions. If you answer 90% of the questions stated below, we will send you the next part of this series for your edification. Please do not forget to include your full name and address clearly on the answer sheet.
- What was the reason for Paul’s deep sorrow?
- What was Paul prepared to sacrifice for the salvation of his people?
- How many privileges did Paul name for the people of the old covenant? Which one of them appears the most important to you?
- Why was the grace of God unable to save most of the chosen people who fell from one judgment into another?
- What is the meaning of Isaac’s selection of his seed, and Jacob’s selection of his sons?
- What is the secret of God’s selection?
- Why is no man worthy to be chosen by God? What is the reason for our positive selection?
- Why did God harden Pharaoh? How does the hardening of individuals, clans and peoples appear?
- Who are the vessels of God’s wrath, and what is the reason for their disobedience?
- What is the purpose of the vessels of God’s mercy, and what is their starting point?
- Why did millions of believers of different peoples attain the righteousness of God and become established in it?
- Why do religious people of other religions attempt to observe their laws in order to attain the righteousness of God?
- What is the meaning of Paul’s motto: Christ is the end of the law?
- Why do Jews look forward to the coming of their Messiah?
- What is the relationship between faith and testimony?
- How do faith and testimony make gradual progress practically according to the apostle Paul?
- How can every man today, if he wishes, hear, understand and accept the gospel?
- Why did God make renewed individuals out of the whole nations his chosen people?
- What is the meaning of the words of God to Elijah that he has reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal?
- What is the meaning of the words of Paul that he and all the followers of Christ of the Jews belong to the holy remnant of the chosen people of God?
- What does the hardening of the Jews mean for the unclean Gentiles?
- How can Christians urge disbelievers to the right faith?
- What is meant by grafting into the spiritual body of Christ?
- Who would be in danger if the grafting were damaged?
- Why do the promises of God never fail, but endure forever?
- Who is all the spiritual Israel?
- What is meant by the fullness of grace and the wisdom of God?
- How does God continue righteous if he hardens his chosen people, and in the end he accepts the holy remnant, and considers them of all the children of Jacob?
If you complete the study of all the booklets of this series on Romans, and send us your answers to the questions at the end of each book, we will send you a
Certificate of Advanced Studies
in understanding the Letter of Paul to the Romans
as an encouragement for your future services for Christ. We encourage you to complete with us the examination of the Letter of Paul to the Romans that you may receive an everlasting treasure. We are awaiting your answers and praying for you. Our address is:
Waters of Life
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