Day 337 Reading Schedule: Romans 8-11

Romans 8.  God's Love That Accomplishes Redemption 

[Summary]

In this chapter, Paul discusses the eternity of salvation at length. Salvation is accomplished through the grace of Christ's atonement and the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit that follows. Since the accomplishment of this salvation is through God's own sacrifice, it is eternal, just like God (vv. 1-17). Therefore, this salvation is not shaken by suffering, but rather is completed in suffering (vv. 18-26). However, all suffering does not harm the believer, but rather works together to benefit him. The reason for this is that the believer is predestined to be saved (vv. 27-30). There is no obstacle that separates the believer from Christ. The relationship between the believer and Christ is eternal because it is based on God's predestination (vv. 31-39).

Romans 9.  Salvation of Sinners through Faith 

[Summary]

No nation had the privilege of knowing God as much as Israel. However, the Gentiles were superior to Israel in receiving the gospel of Christ. Not all of Abraham's descendants were his spiritual descendants (vv. 1-13). The movement for the salvation of mankind began with God's act of selection. This selection is made by God's utmost love and unchangeable decision (vv. 14-16), and involves those who will be rejected. This rejection refers to the fact that God had decided from eternity not to save some (vv. 17-33).

Romans 10.  Salvation in Christ 

[Summary]

Paul points out that Israel failed to attain righteousness not because of a lack of love (v. 1). Israel tried to obtain righteousness by their own strength, but he points out that this was an ignorant act (vv. 2-4). Paul contrasts the righteousness by the law with the righteousness by faith (vv. 5-13) and emphasizes the importance of faith. Faith comes from hearing, and this hearing is based on the word of Christ (vv. 14-18). Israel heard much of the preaching of Jesus and the apostles. This was as prophesied in the Old Testament. However, they did not obey. Therefore, they are responsible for not believing. Israel can never make excuses (vv. 19-21).

Romans 11.  God's Salvation Plan and Providence 

[Summary]

In this chapter, Paul says that there are those among Israel who have been saved like himself (vv. 1-10). However, because of Israel's failure, the gospel went to the Gentiles. The Gentiles, like wild olive trees, had no hope, but they were grafted into the root of the true olive tree, Christ. The reason they should not boast is because Israel, which had received God's special grace first, was also abandoned because of its pride, and because being grafted in depends only on humbly believing in the Lord (vv. 11-24). When the number of those among the Gentiles who will be saved is complete, there will be another opportunity for the Israelites to repent (vv. 25-30). Paul also praises God's wisdom at the end (vv. 33-36).