My kinsmen according to the flesh

Chapter 9 begins a new section of the epistle. The apostle now deals with questions arising with regard to the status of the nation of Israel, and God’s dealings with that nation as a result of the gospel offer being made to Gentiles as well as Jews. Will God renege on His gifts and calling in respect of that nation? In answering such issues Paul speaks in chapter 9 about Israel in the past, in chapter 10 regarding the present, and in chapter 11 regarding the future that the nation has, for indeed the gifts and calling of God are without repentance 11. 29.

Although at the end of chapter 8 the apostle has spoken of the inviolability of the believer’s salvation and the impossibility of being separated from the love of God, he immediately states in chapter 9, as he thinks of his ‘kinsmen according to the flesh’, v. 3, that he would wish himself ‘accursed from Christ’, if it would result in their conversion. A proper view of the sovereignty of God, to which Paul has alluded in chapter 8 and now in chapter 9, never diminishes a desire for the salvation of the lost. Indeed, it can only enhance it.

Israel had been in a wonderful position of privilege in God’s dealings with man. Chief among them, though at that time disregarded by them, was the fact that Christ, who is God over all, blessed for ever, came from Israel, according to the flesh. The only reason why they had such privileges, Paul argues, is because of divine sovereignty. In His sovereignty God chose Isaac and his children, the children of promise, above Ishmael and his children, the children of the flesh. Additionally, when two sons were in Rebecca’s womb it was said that the elder, Esau, would serve the younger. Neither had done good or evil, but God called the one and not the other that the purpose of God according to election might stand. There was no ground for boasting. God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, so that it is altogether not of man but of God when a person receives divine blessing. For this reason Israel could have no argument against God bringing Gentiles into blessing, making known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy, whom He has afore prepared unto glory, both Jews and Gentiles who believe on His Son.