Les Feldick Bible Study

Why are Romans 9, 10, and 11 called parenthetical chapters in Romans?

Romans 9–11 are called parenthetical chapters because they sit in the middle of Romans as a digression. Paul suddenly turns from his main flow to deal with the Jew: chapter 9 covers Israel’s past, chapter 10 Israel’s present, and chapter 11 Israel’s future, before returning to Romans 8’s flow and chapter 12.

Les explains that these chapters are parenthetical because they interrupt the normal flow of Romans. They sit right in the middle of the book, and Paul suddenly digresses to deal with the Jew. Chapter 9 addresses Israel’s past, chapter 10 addresses God’s dealing with Israel today in the present, and chapter 11 addresses Israel’s future. After that, the study returns to where it left off in Romans 8 and moves into chapter 12. The broader contrast noted is that in one instance God is dealing with Israel, and in another His dealing with the church age, with vast differences between them.