Les Feldick Bible Study

What is the subject of Romans chapters 9, 10, and 11?

Romans chapters 9, 10, and 11 are a parenthetical section in which the Apostle Paul, by inspiration, deals with the nation of Israel with regard to the Gentiles. These chapters interrupt the flow from Romans chapter 8 to chapter 12, functioning like a parenthetical statement in a sentence.

Les explains that Romans 9, 10, and 11 are parenthetical chapters, much like a parenthetical statement in an English sentence that can be inserted and then removed while still leaving a complete sentence. After chapter 8, Paul by inspiration turns to the nation of Israel with regard to the Gentiles. Once those three chapters end, Paul returns to chapter 12, verse 1, continuing the main flow of the letter.

More Questions

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

Romans 9, 10, and 11 are parenthetical chapters: just as you can insert a parenthetical statement into a complete English sentence and then remove it and still have your complete sentence, so chapters 9-11 can be taken out and the flow from the end of chapter 8 to chapter 12 remains intact.

Why must Romans 9-11 be interpreted in light of the Old Testament?

Paul wrote Romans 9-11 with special regard to the nation of Israel, so we must tie these chapters to the Old Testament account.

Why do we need to go back to Genesis when studying Romans 9-11?

Because everything ties together in Genesis, Romans 9-11 must be tied to the Old Testament account rather than read alone.