leave this field blank to prove your humanity

Sermon #3273

An Overview of Romans 11:11-32

A Sermon on the Meaning of Romans 11

Originally preached Nov. 13, 1964

Share Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Play Sermon

Download Sermon Add to Queue Add to Playlist

Scripture

Romans 11:11-32 ESV KJV

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how … So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (ESV)

11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches …

13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Sermon Description

Paul has been teaching about the Jews and how as a nation they have blatantly rejected the gospel. In this portion of Romans, Paul is now stating what the real position of the Jews is and how that relates to the Gentiles. In this sermon on Romans 11:11–12 titled “Stumbling of the Jews,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the Jews stumbled so that the Gentiles could come to salvation. Not only was their stumbling permitted by God, he also inflicted them with blindness so that the Gentiles could have the opportunity to believe. This rejection of the Jews gave the blessings to the Gentiles. So have the Jews been cast away forever? Paul says that they have not. They have in turn seen the blessings of the gentiles and have been provoked to jealousy. This causes them to think twice and consider the gospel that the Lord has given.

Sermon Breakdown

The apostle Paul begins by stating his theme in verses 11-12. His theme is that the rejection of Israel is not final.
Paul asks if Israel has stumbled so as to fall completely and irreversibly. He answers "God forbid" - this is impossible.
Paul says Israel has only stumbled temporarily, not fallen irreversibly.
Paul gives a threefold answer as to why Israel has stumbled:
It has happened so that salvation may come to the Gentiles.
It has provoked Israel to jealousy and emulation of the Gentiles' blessings.
It will ultimately bring Israel as a nation to believe the gospel.
The rejection of the gospel by Israel sent it to the Gentiles.
The gospel produced blessing in the Gentiles, provoking Israel's jealousy.
Israel's jealousy will ultimately bring them to believe the gospel.
There is a circle: Israel rejects the gospel, it goes to Gentiles, Gentiles are blessed, Israel is provoked to jealousy, Israel believes.
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:21, saying God will provoke Israel to jealousy through those who are not a nation.
Paul says "jealousy" and "emulation" mean essentially the same thing here. Jealousy is negative but leads to emulation, a desire for the same blessings.
Individual Jews have been provoked to jealousy, but Paul looks ahead to the nation as a whole being provoked.
The stumbling of Israel allows the gospel to go to the Gentiles, which will ultimately bring Israel back.

Sermon Q&A

Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 11:11-12

What is the main theme of Romans 11:11-12 according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main theme of Romans 11:11-12 is that the rejection of Israel is not final. He states, "In this second section, beginning at verse eleven, he is concerned to show that the rejection of Israel is not final." This section addresses the relationship between the stumbling of the Jews, the salvation of the Gentiles, and God's ultimate plan for Israel's restoration.

How does Lloyd-Jones divide the section of Romans 11:11-32?

Lloyd-Jones divides Romans 11:11-32 into four subsections: 1. Verses 11-12: Statement of the general theme regarding what has happened to the Jews and why 2. Verses 13-22: The importance of Gentile believers having a right understanding of their relationship to the Jews 3. Verses 23-24: The possibility and reasonableness of the restoration of the Jews 4. Verses 25-32: The certainty of the future restoration of the Jews and their participation in the gospel blessings

What is the difference between "stumbling" and "falling" in Romans 11:11?

Lloyd-Jones explains that there's a crucial difference between these terms. "Stumbling" refers to the Jews' temporary rejection or tripping over the gospel message. "Falling," on the other hand, would mean "falling in a final, complete and irreversible and irrecoverable manner." The apostle is asking if the Jews have merely stumbled (temporarily) or if they have fallen completely with no hope of recovery. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Paul's answer ("God forbid") indicates they have only stumbled, not fallen permanently.

How did the rejection of the gospel by the Jews benefit the Gentiles?

Lloyd-Jones identifies three ways the rejection of the gospel by the Jews benefited the Gentiles: 1. It drove the apostles to turn from the Jews to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46) 2. The opposition of the Jews led to clearer articulation of doctrines like justification by faith alone 3. The crucifixion of Christ (resulting from Jewish rejection) brought salvation to all peoples

He states, "The rejection of Jesus Christ as their king and messiah by the Jews led to the cross on Calvary's hill. That was the immediate occasion of our Lord's crucifixion."

What does Lloyd-Jones mean by the Jews being "provoked to jealousy"?

Lloyd-Jones explains that "provoked to jealousy" (which is also translated as "provoked to emulation" in verse 14) means that seeing the blessings of the gospel in the Gentiles will create in the Jews a spirit that makes them ask, "Why are we not getting this blessing?" This will lead them to reexamine the gospel they previously rejected. While this happened to individuals during Paul's time, Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Paul is prophesying a future time when this will happen to "the jewish nation as a whole."

What circular pattern does Lloyd-Jones identify in God's plan regarding Jews and Gentiles?

Lloyd-Jones identifies a remarkable circular pattern in God's plan: "The Jews reject [the gospel], sends the gospel to the Gentiles. Seeing the blessings of the gospel in the Gentiles eventually brings in the Jews." He describes this as a complete circle where Jewish rejection leads to Gentile salvation, which in turn provokes Jews to jealousy, ultimately leading to their restoration.

How does Lloyd-Jones interpret Paul's phrase "through their fall" in Romans 11:11?

Lloyd-Jones points out that the word translated as "fall" in this phrase should more accurately be translated as "trespass" or "transgression." He explains it means "a false step" or "missing the mark." The phrase indicates that through the Jews' culpable act of rejecting their Messiah, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this was part of God's sovereign plan, even though it came through human rejection.

According to Lloyd-Jones, why is it important to understand the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the church?

Lloyd-Jones identifies two historical misunderstandings that have caused problems: First, Gentiles might "despise the Jews and say, well, they're outside, they're rejected, they don't matter," which has led to persecution of Jews throughout history. Second, Gentiles might worry that when Jews are restored, Gentiles will be "thrown out." Understanding this relationship correctly prevents both anti-Semitism and unnecessary fears about the future place of Gentiles in God's plan.

What does Lloyd-Jones say about God's foreknowledge of Israel's rejection?

Lloyd-Jones affirms that while the Jews' rejection of Christ was their own culpable act, it was foreknown by God: "It was known to God from eternity. Not only that, Peter says on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem that it happened according to the predetermined counsel and foreknowledge of God. The rejection of the Jews was the occasion, but it was God's eternal purpose."

What prophecy does Lloyd-Jones say Paul is making about the future of Israel?

Lloyd-Jones states that Paul is prophesying "the certainty of the future restoration of the Jews and their participation in the blessings of the Gospel in the christian church." He emphasizes that this is not merely a possibility or probability, but an "absolute certainty that the Jews as a nation are going to be restored" and will enjoy gospel blessings alongside Gentiles in the Christian church.

The Book of Romans

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.

More Ways to Listen

Sermon App