Mercy Obtaining Mercy Romans 11:31

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”, and he added, “For as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief”. In chapter eleven and verse thirty-one of Romans, Paul told his believing readers in Rome, “through your mercy they also may obtain mercy” where we read:

Even so have these also now not believed,

that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

The verse begins, “Even so have these also now not believed, ...” Paul began with the words, “even so” which means “indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “have these also” or “the people of Israel did not allow themselves” “now” which means“at the current and present time” “not believed” or “ to be persuaded, refused or withheld belief and obedience”. Paul referred to the way the people of Israel did not believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The verse goes on to say, “... that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.”. Paul continued with the words, “that through” or “so by means of” “your mercy” which means “the believing Gentile in Rome's kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted which is joined with a desire to help them” “they also may” or “the people of Israel even so and indeed could and might” “obtain mercy” or “gain kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted which is joined with a desire to help them”. Paul shared how the “mercy” extended to the “Gentiles” made way for the Jews to “gain mercy” as well.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how the Jews were the recipients of the “mercy obtained” by the “Gentiles”. Because the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, Paul presented Him to the “Gentiles” of whom many “believed”. This afforded the Jews another opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”. This is in keeping with God's plan to save everyone who will “believe and trust” in His Son Jesus, and when they do, His “mercy” shall be “obtained”.

Next time Paul tells his believing readers in Rome, “God has concluded them all in unbelief”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.