Romans 11:30-32
(30) For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
(31) Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
(32) For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
The Gentiles to whom Paul wrote were at one time disobedient to God, but in this Age of Grace Gentiles (you) have now received mercy. When Adam disobeyed (5:19) all were constituted sinners because all humanity sinned in Adam (5:12). (Cf. “disobedient” in Eph. 2:2; 5:6; and “disobedience” in Heb. 4:6, 11.) Israel (they) is now corporately disobedient to God so that when God’s mercy to the Gentiles (you) reaches its full number (Rom. 11:25), Israel will again receive mercy (cf. vv. 26-27). God’s ultimate purpose is to have mercy on . . . all. To do so justly God has bound (synekleisen, “enclosed, shut in on all sides”) all men over to disobedience. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). “Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” (3:9), so that “there is no difference” (3:22). When the Gentiles rejected God and disobeyed Him (1:17-21), God chose Abraham and his descendants as His special people. Now the disobedience of the Jews enables God to show mercy to the Gentiles. Then, when that purpose is achieved, He will again show mercy to Israel corporately.
Excerpt from:
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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