We need to back up a bit to see what problem Paul was addressing.
4WD, when you backed up, you fell
into a ditch, I think it is only right to help you out from whence you have
fallen. Just call me
the Good Samaritan~but, pretty sure you have another name for me......like Calvinsit, etc., etc.
The question that Paul is setting up to answer is how is it possible that the benefits of being one of God's chosen people does not carry with it the salvation from sin and death.
4WD, here's my helping hand to rescue you from the ditch:
Romans 9:1-3~"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:"
Very briefly....Paul did indeed have great heaviness for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh~this heaviness move him so much that he even wish that he like so many of his brethren were accursed from Christ~this accursed
could NOT mean perishing in the lake of fire, for NO MAN living in the flesh, could LOVE anyone to that degree~that would be going
ABOVE what the law of God demands from us and NO man living in a body of SIN and death could truly desire that even for his own wife and children~IMPOSSIBLE. This accursed from Christ MUST be understood in a practical sense of NOT coming to the TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH and STILL seeking to be justified by our works. Now, brother, I COULD have this love for you and you toward me if we love each other AS the law of God DEMANDS us to love each other. But, this is not the heart of what I want to discuss with you.
Even though Paul reveals his great love toward HIS BRETHREN that were NO doubt children of God, ( that he will describe more in detail in Romans 10:1-4 ) just living in ignorance~he goes on to say these words:
Romans 9:6-8~"Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."
Paul understood that all will not hear, yet in spite of that, he took COMFORT in knowing the TRUE CHILDREN of God are children of his promises, and THEY WILL, in the end, be eternally saved, regardless of their present state in this world, and their understanding of the truth concerning Jesus Christ. Yet Paul was willing to trade places with those of his kinsmen WHOM he witnessed had fear and zeal of God, yet NOT according to the truth! What brought Paul some comfort was the truth that IN THE END, all who are children of God's promise WILL receive his mercy IN SPITE of present circumstances.
What is abundantly clear is this truth:
"but the children of the promise are counted for the seed"
All who will at the end receive eternal life, will receive it based on the truth that they were children of
God's oath and promises~period! That removes all works of the flesh~so, then, it is
not him that
runneth, nor of
willeth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Roamns 9:9~"For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
For this is the word of promise~This particular promise is the one God made to Abraham in Sarah’s hearing found in Genesis 18:9-15, especially verse 10, where the language is most similar between Moses and Paul. The existence of Ishmael and the future existence of the six sons of Keturah had no meaning at all. God’s promises, especially in this case, allow Him to alter verb tenses (Romans 4:17 cp Genesis 17:4-6).
At this time will I come~God had told Abraham that he would have a son by Sarah a year from the promise (Genesis 17:21). When God promised in Sarah’s hearing, it was then only nine months to his birth (Genesis 18:10,14). This event occurred: Sarah conceived, carried, and delivered a son by Abraham on time (Genesis 21:2).
And Sara shall have a son~Forget Hagar, Abraham. As I promised three months ago, your barren and ancient wife shall bear. This event occurred: Sarah conceived, carried, and delivered a son by Abraham on time (Ge 21:2).
Romans 9:10~"And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;"
And not only this~Paul justified and proved election within Israel (9:6) by examples ~Isaac of Abraham’s eight sons. For Jews to put stock in being Abraham’s seed or children, they overlooked seven other sons! Out of the eight sons that were truly Abraham’s seed and children, 88% were rejected by God. Paul’s first illustration was a profound and powerful rebuke to their trust in biological descent. Though this example was very weighty, Paul did not stop there but rather raised another one. We could say that he was piling on, and rightfully so, for the Jews were arrogant in Abraham. Now he gave another example ~God chose between the twin sons of Rebecca conceived by Isaac. This is profound wisdom for Paul to justify 60 A.D. election in the families of the patriarchs. Dealing with Abraham’s children and then Isaac’s children was as sacred as children could go. If God made determinate choices among sons of these great men, He could easily in Paul’s day. These argumentative illustrations for election are powerful, if you consider the nature of children. The tender relationship of parent to children is not considered by God’s choice among them. Every parent, especially these patriarchs, would want the very best for each of their children. Every parent knows the fear and risk of making big differences between or among children. Though Abraham had eight sons, and loved Ishmael the most, God chose Isaac against the rest. Though Isaac fathered twins by Rebekah (same father, same mother), God chose only Jacob.
But when Rebecca also had conceived~Since Paul had used Sarah’s miraculous conception, a use of Rebecca’s conception calls for also. In the very next generation, in Abraham’s family tree, another election occurred between children. Conception was important to Jews, especially that involving their patriarchal fathers and mothers. This second example provided another convicting election in the families of the Jewish patriarchs. It was after the twins’ conception, when they wrestled in her womb, that God told her His choice.
By one~Paul by inspiration tightened the example down by the children having the same father and mother. Isaac’s election could be excused or justified by him being the only and unique child of Sarah. But in Jacob’s case, fraternal twins were conceived by the same parents and at the same time. If election extends to cases even like this, God’s will in election is clearly of total sovereignty. How can election be exalted any higher than God’s choice between twins of a godly marriage? Those holding salvation by race have a real problem here – God chose one and rejected the other.
Even by our father Isaac~The Jews knew that Rebekah’s conception was by Isaac, but naming the patriarch adds weight. There was no circumstantial difference between the twins ~they had the same father and mother. Their father was the chosen seed of promise of Abraham and a patriarch of the nation of Israel. Though this example of election involved the patriarch Isaac, God chose between his sons. Paul took the first father of the Jews and showed God’s election choosing one and rejecting seven. Paul took the Jews’ second father and showed God’s election choosing one and rejecting his twin.By the nature of a parenthetical insertion, it may be left out initially to follow the line of reasoning.
Romans 9:11~"(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)"
For the children being not yet born~Parenthetical insertions like this one may be left out initially to follow the main line of reasoning; but now we may deal with this wonderful explanation given by Paul of the nature of God’s choice. Rather than short quotations from the O.T., Paul gave an inspired explanation of personal election. Paul did not deal with nations or peoples, regardless of what Moses (Genesis 25:19-23) or Malachi (Malachi 1:1-5) were dealing with, for he specifically and clearly identified two definite children here. He argued for an election within Israel of children of God and vessels of mercy (Romans 9:6b,8,22-24)
Neither having done any good or evil~God’s elective choice was before good or bad works ~thus it is clearly unconditional election. Both boys were guilty of Adam’s sin, but that is ignored here for their own sins: Paul’s argument is to prove that God’s elective purpose is unconditionally based on His own will (Romans 9:15-16).
That the purpose of God~Election is according to God’s purpose, as are all His acts (Acts 15:18; Romans8:28; Ephesians 1:11; 2nd Timothy 1:9).
The LORD made all things for Himself, and get this, even the wicked for the day of evil (Proverb 16:4).
According to election~Election is a choice. God’s purpose included the election of one twin and rejection of the other. What election? Paul argued against national privileges and
for spiritual blessings and promises.
Might stand~There is no way around this text in its plain and extreme description of God’s sovereign will. There is no person or power in heaven, earth, or hell that can hinder God’s sovereign choices. It is the zeal of the Lord of hosts that will perform all His purposes for every individual person. The basis of everything that happens – those events that stand~are by God’s choice and purpose.
Not of works~ God’s election, or choice, is not because of man’s works, but by His grace (Romans 11:6; 2nd Timothy 1:9).God’s elective choice was before good or bad works ~ thus it is clearly unconditional election. God does not elect those who choose Him and obedience, or they elect God rather than He them!
But of him that calleth~The whole matter of individual and personal salvation as the children of God depends and turns on the sovereign will of the one and only sovereign God ~the Potter with full power over the clay. There is no other will or effort involved in His compassion and mercy, as stated (Romans 9:15-16).
Topic: The Sinner vs. Free Will (Read 4379 times)