What does Romans 11:22 mean by severity toward them who fell and goodness toward Gentiledom?
Severity toward those who fell refers to God’s severity on Israel’s unbelief, while goodness toward Gentiledom is His grace offered to Gentiles, who must continue in His goodness or be cut off. Israel, if they abandon unbelief, will be grafted in again.
Les explains that Romans 11:22 contrasts God’s severity toward those who fell with His goodness toward Gentiledom. The Gentiles have been brought into the place of simply believing the Gospel. So goodness means responding to this offer of grace and recognizing all His blessings showered upon us; if thou continue in His goodness, otherwise thou shalt be cut off. Verse 23 adds that Israel also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in; one day their unbelief will be removed. Les points to a future day when the remnant of Israel, protected through 3.5 years of tribulation, sees Him coming in the clouds of glory, is saved in a moment, and is grafted in again.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
More Questions
What does it mean that God shows both goodness and severity in Romans 11:22?
Romans 11:22 sets forth both the goodness and the severity of God, and His severity was shown toward Israel because they fell, having rejected so much after God had offered them so much.
Why did God deal so severely with Israel in Romans 11?
God dealt severely with Israel because they had rejected so much after He had offered them so much.