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Scott's Reference Library
Romans 11:1 through Romans 11:2a (NIV)
1I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite
myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2God did not reject
his people, whom he foreknew.
Romans 11:29 through Romans 11:32 (NIV)
29for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30Just as you who were at
one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their
disobedience, 31so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too
may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32For God has bound
all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-10
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by
faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If
then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or
foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect,
therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation
from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are
so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God
glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How
then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep
sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense
of their need of the Saviour, or of their being upon the borders of eternal
ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own
people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it,
Psalms 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his
enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own
anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are
bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
VERSES 22-32
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is
here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less
improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and
though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being
admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being
preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are
still to be favoured for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they
are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s
time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be
remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favour. Those who find mercy
themselves, should endeavour that through their mercy others also may obtain
mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple,
and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to
believe in Christ, the true Messaih whom they crucified, and become one
sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities
of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are
emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of
the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration
intended for them, show the patience and love of God.