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Israel’s Rejection of Christ

¹ I speak the truth in Christ^(C1)—I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit^(F1)— ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish^(C1) that I myself were cursed^(C2) and cut off^(F1) from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood. ⁴ They are Israelites,^(C1) and to them belong the adoption,^(C2) the glory,^(C3) the covenants,^(C4) the giving of the law,^(C5) the temple service,^(C6) and the promises.^{(C7) 5} The ancestors are theirs,^(C1) and from them, by physical descent,^(F1) came the Christ,^(C2) who is God^(C3) over all,^(C4) praised forever.^(F2)(C5) Amen.

God’s Gracious Election of Israel

⁶ Now it is not as though the word of God has failed,^(C1) because not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.^{(C2) 7} Neither are all of Abraham’s children his descendants.^(F1)(C1) On the contrary, your offspring will be traced^(F2) through Isaac.^{(F3)(C2) 8} That is, it is not the children by physical descent^(F1) who are God’s children,^(C1) but the children of the promise^(C2) are considered to be the offspring. ⁹ For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.^{(F1)(C1) 10} And not only that,^(C1) but Rebekah conceived children^(C2) through one man, our father Isaac. ¹¹ For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand^(C1) — ¹² not from works but from the one who calls—she was told, The older will serve the younger.^{(F1)(C1) 13} As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.^(F1)(C1)

God’s Selection Is Just

¹⁴ What should we say then?^(C1) Is there injustice with God?^(C2) Absolutely not!^{(C3) 15} For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.^{(F1)(C1) 16} So then, it does not depend on human will or effort^(C1) but on God who shows mercy.^{(C2) 17} For the Scripture tells Pharaoh, I raised you up for this reason so that I may display my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in the whole earth.^{(F1)(C1) 18} So then, he has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden.^(C1)

¹⁹ You will say to me,^(C1) therefore, “Why then does he still find fault?^(C2) For who can resist his will?” ^{(C3) 20} But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God?^(C1) Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” ^{(C2) 21} Or has the potter no right over the clay,^(C1) to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor? ²² And what if God, wanting to display his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience^(C1) objects of wrath prepared for destruction?^{(C2) 23} And what if he did this to make known the riches of his glory^(C1) on objects of mercy^(C2) that he prepared beforehand for glory^(C3)— ²⁴ on us, the ones he also called,^(C1) not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?^{(C2) 25} As it^(F1) also says in Hosea,

²⁷ But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel,

²⁹ And just as Isaiah predicted:

Israel’s Present State

³⁰ What should we say then?^(C1) Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith.^{(C2) 31} But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness,^(C1) has not achieved the righteousness of the law.^{(F1)(C2) 32} Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works.^(F1) They stumbled over the stumbling stone.^{(C1) 33} As it is written,