Failing and Finding (Romans 9:30–10:13)
Paul does not want his readers to have a wrong grasp of why Israel found herself away from the experience of God’s salvation. In the previous passage he had explained that in a way far beyond our ability to appreciate intellectually what was happening was connected to God’s eternal plan. Yet we have to have a balance approach to any subject, and to view anything only from the point of view of election will turn such people into speculators and spectators rather than admirers and participators. Human responsibility is an essential element of a Christian outlook. The failure of Israel (9:30-33) Paul points out to his readers the reasons why Israel as a race have not retained the privileged position that they should have enjoyed. There are two reasons, one connected to what they did with the law and the other connected to their response to Jesus when he came. God had given his law to Israel at Mount Sinai. The issue that concerns Paul here is why God gave it to them. He points ou...