How does Paul reject abandonment while warning grafted branches?

Paul rejects the suggestion that God has cast away his people. He himself is an Israelite, of Abraham’s seed and Benjamin’s tribe. God has not cast away those he foreknew. Paul recalls Elias’s complaint that the prophets were killed, the altars dug down, and his own life sought, and God’s answer that seven thousand had not bent their knees to Baal. The annotation rejects using this passage against the perpetual visibility of Christ’s church: Jezabel’s persecution reduced the faithful in the kingdom of the ten tribes, while the church in Judah flourished under Asa and Josaphat. A remnant is now saved according to the election of grace. If by grace, it is not by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace. The note distinguishes works of nature without faith and grace, which do not merit salvation, from works performed with and by God’s grace, to which eternal salvation is promised.

Israel has not obtained what it sought, but the election has obtained it and the rest were blinded. Paul cites insensibility, unseeing eyes and unhearing ears continuing to the present. The annotation explains divine permission and the withdrawal of grace because of obstinacy, rather than God producing the evil in them. David’s words describe a table becoming a snare, trap, stumbling block and recompense, with darkened eyes and bowed backs. Paul rejects the idea that they stumbled so as to fall beyond remedy: their offence has brought salvation to the Gentiles and provoked emulation. The note says the Jewish nation has not been permanently cast off without remedy, but only in part and for a time; many thousands initially converted, and the fall was turned to the Gentiles’ good. If their offence brings riches to the world and their diminution riches to the Gentiles, how much more their fullness? Paul honours his Gentile ministry to provoke his fleshly kinsmen to emulation and save some. Their loss brings reconciliation to the world; their reception will be life from the dead. He uses the images of a holy firstfruit and lump, and a holy root and branches.

The wild olive grafted among broken branches shares the root and fatness, and must not boast: the root bears it. Natural branches were broken through unbelief, while the graft stands by faith. It should fear rather than be high-minded. The annotation warns that one standing by faith may fall and rejects the presumptive security of modern sectaries. God did not spare the natural branches; the graft should fear lest perhaps he not spare it. God’s goodness continues if it abides in goodness, otherwise it too will be cut off. The note urges Gentile humility toward Jews and distinguishes individual falling from the whole church of Christ, which it says is secured by scriptural promises. Natural branches can be grafted back if they do not remain in unbelief, more fittingly than the wild branch grafted contrary to nature.

To prevent self-conceit, Paul declares the mystery that blindness has fallen on Israel in part until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, and so all Israel should be saved. The deliverer from Sion turns ungodliness from Jacob, and the covenant takes away their sins. Concerning the gospel they are enemies for the readers’ sake, but concerning election they are dear for the fathers’ sake. God’s gifts and calling are without repentance; the note explains that God does not repent of his gifts and his promises are unchangeable. Once disbelieving Gentiles received mercy through their unbelief; the others now disbelieve for the readers’ mercy, so that they too may obtain mercy. God has concluded all in unbelief to have mercy on all. The annotation explains that he found both nations in unbelief and sin through their abuse of free will, rather than causing it, and that their calling and election owe to mercy.

Paul marvels at the depth of God’s riches, wisdom and knowledge, his incomprehensible judgments and unsearchable ways. Who has known the Lord’s mind, counselled him, or first given to him so as to require repayment? All things are of him, by him and in him; glory belongs to him for ever.