ROMANS Study Guide

# I have always liked the German theologian Paul Tillich’s

answer t o this question…

[] God does not live in time but in eternity. In

eternity it is always “now”. In fact, God says his name is “I am that I am” (He exist in the now…He is) Ex.3:14 [] God sees every living being in the now…there is no past or present. He sees ever heart, ever decision we are making. Tillich says God then calls every- one of us on the bases of our decision in “the now” and “fits” us to be vessels of honor or dishonor. Ever thing and everyone will serve the Lord… every knee will bow… God’s will, will be done.

Rom 9:25 As He also says in Hosea, "I will call those not My people, My people; and those not beloved, Beloved." Rom 9:26 And it shall be, in the place where it was said to them. "You are not My people; there they shall be called sons of the living God." Rom 9:27 Isaiah also cries concerning Israel, "Though the number of the sons of Israel is as the sands of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. Rom 9:28 For He is bringing the matter to an end, and cutting short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short work on the earth." Rom 9:29 And as Isaiah said before, "Unless the Lord of hosts had left us a seed, we would have been as Sodom, and would have been like Gomorrah."

3. The call of the Gentiles and the Remnant: vs.25 -29

a. Paul quotes Hos.2:23 that speaks of God’s salvation goi ng out to the

Gentiles… a totally unprepared people compared to Israel… yet they

will be “his people” “God’s beloved”… “children of God.” vs.26 -27

b. But as far as Israel is concerned… though they may be many in number

only a few will be saved (sozo). (Isa.10:22 ) Israel’s rejection is no

surprise to God and God has in fact prepared his salvation (in spite of

Israel’s rejection) for the Gentiles.

1) In verse 28-29 Paul quotes Isaiah in referring to the fact that it is

only God’s mercy that any of the Jewish people were saved but a