Why does Paul turn to the nation of Israel in Romans 9-11?
After finishing instructions and doctrine for Gentiles, Paul pauses to address the nation of Israel for three chapters, covering its past, present, and future. He also expresses great heaviness and continual sorrow, even wishing himself accursed, because of his deep love for the Jewish people.
Les explains that Romans 9–11 is a parenthetical section where Paul leaves off his instructions and doctrines for Gentiles and turns to deal with the nation of Israel for three chapters: past, present, and future. In chapter 9, Paul says he speaks truth in Christ and lies not, with his conscience bearing witness in the Holy Spirit, that he has great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart. He even says he could wish himself accursed from Christ because of his love for the Jew. Les compares this to Moses, who asked God to spare the people and even blot his name out of the book of life if it would help Israel. Paul qualifies his words with Old Testament scriptures, which he uses over and over in his early writings.
More Questions
How does Romans 11 apply the same thing as Romans 1 to the nation of Israel?
The same judicial thing seen in Romans 1 is what Paul describes in Romans 11 as dealing with the nation of Israel.