In Romans 5, we encountered the concept of reconciliation three times. Later in the letter to the Romans, it is mentioned once more, namely in Romans 11. In this chapter, Paul explains that the Jewish people are temporarily blind and deaf as a symbol of their unbelief (Rom. 11:8).
unbelieving, until…
The people of Israel stumbled, and because of their failure, salvation went to the nations. But later in the same chapter, Paul makes it clear that this hardening and unbelief are temporary (Rom. 11:25–26). In the future, Israel will repent and be restored.
Romans 11
11 I say then: Did they stumble so that they might fall? May it not be so! But in their failure, salvation comes to the nations, to make them jealous. Stumbled, not fallen
Paul’s words show that Israel’s unbelief is not final. The imagery used is that of someone stumbling because of a misstep. A stumble implies restoration; a fall, on the other hand, is final. Israel has not fallen, but stumbled and will therefore be restored.
But Paul goes further. Israel’s misstep is not only not final, but it is also in accordance with God’s plan. Through their misstep, salvation has gone to the nations.
12 And if their misstep is the wealth of the world, and their loss the wealth of the nations, how much more their fullness!
During this time of Israel’s misstep, because of their unbelief, the message of salvation has gone to the nations. This is remarkable, because the Hebrew prophets precisely describe that through Israel’s restoration, the nations will be blessed. The Messianic Kingdom that will be established in the future is a global empire in which Israel will be at the head of the nations (Deut. 28:13; Isa. 2:2-4).
Hidden
However, in this day and age, the nations are blessed because of Israel’s unbelief. This was hidden from the prophets. But if Israel’s failure and decline mean wealth and salvation for the nations, what will their future restoration—their fullness—bring about?
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15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
In verses 13 and 14, Paul speaks in a parenthetical sentence about his own ministry. This is omitted here because verse 15 directly follows verse 12. The word “for” emphasizes that verse 15 is a further explanation.
Their rejection
What is called Israel’s misstep and loss in verse 12 is called their rejection in verse 15. Through Israel’s rejection of the resurrected Christ, the message of the reconciliation of the world went to the nations.
Life from the Dead
Just as Israel’s rejection of the Messiah parallels the proclamation of the reconciliation of the world, so too does their future acceptance of the Messiah parallel life from the dead.
In prophecy, this is imagery for the restoration of Israel, as in the vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. There, God says that He will raise Israel from the grave, and they will live (Ezekiel 37:12). We also find this idea in Hosea: God will revive and raise up Israel (Hosea 6:2).
God Reconciles the World in Christ
Paul is the only apostle who explicitly speaks of reconciliation. To him was given “the ministry of reconciliation” and entrusted “the word of reconciliation.” This consists of “God reconciling the world to himself in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
God gave His Son over to the world, and He was killed by that world. But He died precisely for that same world, to give it life. God does not count this transgression against the world (2 Cor. 5:19), thus proving that He loves the world. This love will ultimately convince every creature and transform it from enemy to reconciled.
God’s love conquers all
When the door was temporarily closed by Israel’s unbelief, God opened a vision with an all-encompassing horizon: the reconciliation of the world. Not as an offer, but as a message. God’s love conquers all hostility!