Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 11:13-15 - Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of Romans 11:13-15 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 11:13-15 is a new subsection where Paul explains why he has been giving so much attention to the question of the Jews while writing to the Gentiles. He states, "he is here giving us an explanation of why he is saying all that he's saying about the Jews to the Gentiles." Additionally, Paul is preparing the way for his discussion of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's purpose for the church, while also offering a personal statement about his view of his apostolic ministry.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say there is difficulty in understanding these verses?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the difficulty arises because of Paul's writing style, specifically what scholars call an "anacoluthon" - an interrupted statement or one that leaves a loose end. He notes that Paul uses two Greek words which mean "indeed therefore," but unlike his other usages in the New Testament, he doesn't follow them with the word "but." This has led to different translations and interpretations of the passage, with some translations evading the problem, some arguing the word "but" should not be supplied, and others supplying the missing "but."

What does Paul mean when he says "I magnify my office"?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul means several things by "I magnify my office":

1. He is proud of being the apostle to the Gentiles and recognizes the dignity and privilege of this office
2. He gives himself wholly to this work with zeal and enthusiasm
3. He magnifies his office by explaining fully to the Gentiles the purpose and plan of God
4. He shows the Gentiles how the Jewish situation will ultimately be their greatest blessing
5. He warns them against error, particularly pride about their position

Dr. Lloyd-Jones summarizes: "We don't magnify our office unless it is what you may call, in the words of Spurgeon, an all-round ministry. The man who is called to preach, to be a minister of the gospel, he must evangelize. But he doesn't stop at evangelism. He must also teach, he must also warn, he must also reprimand."

What evidence does Dr. Lloyd-Jones provide that the Roman church was primarily Gentile?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to Paul's direct address to the Gentiles in this passage as evidence that the majority of his readers in Rome were Gentiles. He observes, "every time the apostle has referred to the Jews, he has referred to them in the third person all along... He always refers to the Jews as 'they.'" He explains that if it had been a mainly Jewish church, Paul "couldn't possibly have done that." While there were undoubtedly some Jews in the Roman church, it was primarily a Gentile congregation.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reject the interpretation that Paul magnified his Gentile ministry primarily to save Jews?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones rejects this interpretation for several reasons:

1. Paul only hopes that "some" Jews might be saved (v.14), which doesn't align with magnifying or glorying in his ministry
2. It's "inconceivable" that Paul would say his entire Gentile ministry was designed primarily to save Jews
3. Paul viewed his commission to the Gentiles as precious in itself, not merely instrumental to Jewish salvation
4. This interpretation implies the salvation of Gentiles is only incidental to Jewish salvation, which contradicts Paul's teaching that God cares equally about saving both groups

Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls this interpretation "totally untenable" and states that Paul saw the salvation of Gentiles as "as precious in the eyes of God as the Jews themselves."