Romans 11:11-16 When God blesses the non-believers
Romans 11:11-16
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
Background
Paul is speaking from his own pastoral perspective as he responds to Israel’s persistent intransigence. It would be uncharacteristic of God to save the Gentiles merely as a means to provoke Israel to jealousy, for God’s redemptive purpose has always been directed toward all peoples, not Israel alone. The unbelief of one nation does not frustrate or redirect God’s plan to bring salvation to the nations.
In light of Israel’s rejection of his gospel, Paul turns his ministry toward the Gentiles. From Paul’s vantage point, this serves a dual purpose: he brings salvation to the Gentiles while, at the same time, provoking Israel to jealousy in the hope that they too might turn back to God. Nevertheless, Gentile and Jewish believers together form one inseparable body in Christ. From the standpoint of mission and resources, should Israel repent and return to God, their inclusion would only magnify and accelerate the work of the gospel throughout the world.
Observation
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they?
Israel has rejected the good news as preached by Jesus, by the Apostles as well as the Evangelists. The good news calls the hearers to turn away from self-centered living, and from the pleasures of sin to the living God. The good news opens up the blessings of heaven that brings health, peace and prosperity to the people. However, they could not acknowledge their sinfulness and surrender every part of their life to God. Hence, they stumble over the good news of Jesus Christ and fail to obtain the blessings they desired. Paul asks the question: is their stumbling irreversible? Does God have another plan to turn the people from their stubbornness?
May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
The answer is Yes! By turning to the undeserving Gentiles and saving them, God stirs Israel into jealousy. Thus, God provokes Israel into asking the question: what did the Gentiles do right that cause them to receive God’s blessings? Jesus Himself mentioned the lack of contrition among the Jews, and that causes Elijah to provide for a widow in Zarapheth (a Gentile) during the three and a half years of famine. Jesus also mentioned Elisha who healed none of the lepers in Israel, but reached out and cleansed Naaman who is a Syrian (a Gentile).
Paul’s strategy is to turn the Israelites back to God by saving those who are unlikely candidates of God’s salvation.
12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!
From Paul’s ministry perspective; if the transgression (of Israel) results in riches for the world, then how much more their repentance will result in greater prosperity for all: how much more will their fulfillment be! Paul hopes that Israel’s rejection of the gospel is not permanent; if they do repent, the whole world will be saved by their repentance. Indeed, from the standpoint of mission and resources, a repentant Israel will surely magnify and accelerate the work of the gospel throughout the world.
13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. In as much then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.
Paul is called as an Apostle to the Gentiles to preach the gospel to them. By fulfilling his ministry to the Gentiles, he is indirectly provoking Israel into serious soul searching that would turn them back to God: I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. When Israel see the Gentiles receiving the gifts of the Spirit, being healed of sicknesses and prospering in every way will start them wondering concerning their position before God.
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
Paul holds out the hope that Israel will yet be received as members of God’s kingdom. Israel’s acceptance is ultimately bound up with the consummation of salvation, when all believers will be raised with glorified bodies—what Paul describes as “life from the dead.” The images of “the first piece of dough” and “the root” refer to Israel, while “the lump” and “the branches” represent the rest of the world that shares in the blessing.
It is fitting and right that Israel should be saved, for salvation was first proclaimed to the Jews—from the days of Abraham through the Law and the Prophets, and finally in Jesus the Messiah—before extending to the nations.
The conversion of Israel therefore entails two inseparable realities: repentance in light of the truths revealed in the Law, and the recognition of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, the sacrificial Lamb who takes away their sins once and for all.
Truth
1. No member is truly independent in Christ’s body, the demise of one part will affect the whole. Hence, we must always seek to restore one another so as to experience a greater blessing for all. Having said that, we must not criticize other churches or rejoice if other Christians suffer for their wrong doing supposing that we could benefit from their transgression. Paul teaches the Gentile believers not to rejoice over the transgressions of the Jews, but to look to their restoration that is able to bring the ultimate salvation to the world.
2. When believers start to behave selfishly and arrogantly, God turns to non-believers and blesses them. This is to stir His people into jealousy and to reexamine the foundations of their faith: true faith is a matter of the heart, not of the mind alone. When non-churchgoers start to be blessed more than churchgoers, here is a signal to God’s people to repent. Instead of murmuring about God being unfair, let us observe and learn from them.
3. Believers must observe and learn from non-believers as to what causes God’s blessings to come upon them? Blessings does not come out of a vacuum, the people who are blessed must have done something right. We are reminded that God is fair and just, He blesses those who walk in the ways of righteousness regardless of their religion. Hence, believers must humble themselves to observe and to learn what the non-believers have done right.
4. We must not react in a controlling way when our children misbehave, but turn our efforts outwards to other children who need help. By turning our attention outward, our children will begin to understand that the world does not revolve around them. Not only that, they will also learn that obedience leads to reward, and disobedience leads to pain.
Applications
1. Think of a successful person and write down a list of the qualities that causes him to prosper. Write down a list of your core qualities as well as the qualities that you wish to develop in yourself. Approach your mentor to help you develop those qualities.
2. Ask God to put in your heart a child (who is not your own) whom you could pray for on a regular basis. Ask God to show you how you could be a blessing to this child.
Dear God, I pray for my brothers in Israel that You preserve them from harm. Continue to impress upon them the hope that is found in You and cause them to turn to You. I pray for my non-believing friends that You bless them and make Yourself real in their lives. At the same time, help me to learn from them the wisdom that gave them their blessing. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.