Bible Commentaries

This discussion now gives rise to a new question, "Did God cast off His people?" They were created a nation in order that through them all the nations should be blessed. Failing to realize the divine intention concerning their own national life, they consequently and necessarily failed to fulfil that intention concerning the nations outside. God, however, does not allow the outside nations to suffer, but in infinite grace works through the fall of His earthly people toward enriching the whole world.

Most carefully and solemnly should the apostle's words be noted, "Behold then the goodness and severity of God." His severity is manifested in cutting off the natural branches because of unbelief. His goodness is evidenced in His reception of the Gentiles on the basis of their belief.

A doxology closes the whole doctrinal statement of the epistle. The outburst of rapturous praise was the result of the apostle's consciousness of the wonderful victory of God through Christ over all the opposing forces of evil, and His solution in infinite wisdom of the problems that baffle the intellect of man. The notes of the doxology are fist a recognition of the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge, and then of man's utter inability to understand.

At the close of this section it is important to remember that the only interpretation of the inscrutable wisdom and operation of God is to be found in the revelation of His grace in Jesus, which is the foundation doctrine of the whole epistle.