1. The mystery regarding the salvation of Israel, but the intended audience was the Gentiles Christians
25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited:
BDAG=the unmanifested or private counsel of God, (God’s) secret, the secret thoughts, plans, and dispensations of God...which are hidden fr. human reason, as well as fr. all other comprehension below the divine level, and await either fulfillment or revelation to those for whom they are intended...A secret or mystery, too profound for human ingenuity, is God’s reason for the partial hardening of Israel’s heart
The purpose of the discussion of this mystery was for the Gentiles not to be conceited or wise in their own eyes (BKC). In order words, gentiles Christians was the main audience and be corrected here.
v.25b-26 A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written
(BKC) The statement, “All Israel will be saved” does not mean that every Jew living at Christ’s return will be regenerated. Many of them will not be saved, as seen by the fact that the judgment of Israel, to follow soon after the Lord’s return, will include the removal of Jewish rebels (Ezek. 20:34–38). Following this judgment God will then remove godlessness and sins from the nation as He establishes His New Covenant with regenerate Israel (cf. Jer. 31:33–34).
2. R.W.
v.28a In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake
v. 30a Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy...v. 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they too may now receive mercy
v.32 For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all
BDAG-he has imprisoned them all in disobedience, i.e. put them under compulsion to be disobedient or given them over to disobedience
The conceit of the Gentiles may due to the current disobedient of the Jews to God. They were enemies to the Gospel for they were their murder to Jesus and the persecution to the Gospel ministers. However, that is not their final stage.. They would change just as the Gentiles because of the mercy of God. In v.31-32, the disobedient was even considered as a prerequisite of being the object of receiving mercy.
3. Summary and reflection
How shall we see other's stubbornness to the Gospel? We are limited to see the whole plan of salvation unless God reveals them to us. God's plan was not straight forward. People who are disobedient now may be part of His plan to bring other children to Him now and later on they too may receive mercy.
Even being given over to disobedience has a purpose. It is not the final stage of mankind. Receiving mercy is.
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