Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
The verse stands within a declaration of mercy that breaks into praise of the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge and His unsearchable judgments and ways. As a nation Israel lost her connection with God through unbelief and rejection of Heaven's purpose. Though they now do not believe, through the mercy shown to the Gentiles they also may obtain mercy. The broken natural branches can be reunited with the true stock of Israel, the remnant who remained true to the God of their fathers, and be grafted into their own olive tree again if they do not continue in unbelief, for God is able to graft them in again.
Jewish converts are branches grafted into Christ, the true stock. God is able to transform the hearts of Jew and Gentile alike and to grant to every believer in Christ the blessings promised to Israel. That declaration of mercy grounds the appeal to present bodies as a living sacrifice and to be transformed rather than conformed to the world, teaching the religious duty of the church where every member has a work to do according to the measure of faith, each fitted for different work blending into a complete whole. The chapter calls for work among the Jewish people.
The work for the Jews outlined in the verse must not be ignored but must be carried out with special wisdom and righteousness. It is to give the Jews every opportunity to come to the light and receive mercy. God's people must receive divine wisdom to clear the King's highway in all wisdom and righteousness for the Jews.
The verse stands within a declaration of mercy that breaks into praise of the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge and His unsearchable judgments and ways. As a nation Israel lost her connection with God through unbelief and rejection of Heaven's purpose. Though they now do not believe, through the mercy shown to the Gentiles they also may obtain mercy. The broken natural branches can be reunited with the true stock of Israel, the remnant who remained true to the God of their fathers, and be grafted into their own olive tree again if they do not continue in unbelief, for God is able to graft them in again.
Jewish converts are branches grafted into Christ, the true stock. God is able to transform the hearts of Jew and Gentile alike and to grant to every believer in Christ the blessings promised to Israel. That declaration of mercy grounds the appeal to present bodies as a living sacrifice and to be transformed rather than conformed to the world, teaching the religious duty of the church where every member has a work to do according to the measure of faith, each fitted for different work blending into a complete whole. The chapter calls for work among the Jewish people.
The work for the Jews outlined in the verse must not be ignored but must be carried out with special wisdom and righteousness. It is to give the Jews every opportunity to come to the light and receive mercy. God's people must receive divine wisdom to clear the King's highway in all wisdom and righteousness for the Jews.