The Goodness and Severity of God Romans 11:22

Paul the apostle asked the people in Rome, “You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in?”, and he added, “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you.” In chapter eleven and verse twenty-two of Romans, Paul instructed the people in Rome to consider, “the goodness and severity of God” where we read:

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 

 

The verse begins, “ Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; ” Paul began with the word, “behold” which means “see, perceive, notice, discern and discover” “therefore” or “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “the goodness” which means “the moral integrity, benignity and kindness” “and severity” or “and the roughness and rigor” “of God” which means “pertaining to the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”: “on them” which refers to “the people in Israel” “which fell” or “that descended from a higher place to a lower, thrust down, fall under judgment and came under condemnation”, “severity” which means “the roughness and rigor”. Paul wanted his readers to know both the “kindness” and “rigor” which descended from God.

The verse continues, “ but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off. ”. Paul added the word, “but” or “nevertheless, nonetheless, moreover and” “toward you” which means “to the believing Gentiles in Rome”, “goodness” or “the moral integrity, benignity and kindness”, “If you continue” which means “whether the believing Gentiles in Rome tarry, abide and persevere” “in his goodness” or “within God's moral integrity, benignity and kindness”: “otherwise” which means “because and since” “you also shall be cut off” or “the believing Gentiles in Rome even so and indeed will be hewn down and hindered”. Paul shared how God's “goodness” was given to the Gentiles in Rome who “persevered” in their relationship with God because if they did not, they would be “hewn down”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we understand how God is able to be both “good” and “severe” with people who believe and do not believe in Him. The “goodness” of God comes upon those who continually believe and trust in Jesus God's Son, however, His “severity” shall be demonstrated on those who do not. The opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as a personal “Savior and Lord” is provided while God's “goodness” is available. “Otherwise” His “severity” is determined for those who refuse to have a relationship with Him.

Next time Paul tells his readers in Rome concerning Israel, “if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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