The Mercy of God Shown to All

The Apostle Paul issued a summary close to the section of his epistle to the Romans that answered the Gentile believers’ question, “Why do the Jews reject Jesus Messiah, except for a remnant of them?” The answer from the Apostle comprises three chapters (Romans 9–11). In Romans 11:25–32, Paul tells the members of the church at Rome what he already told them. Hence, he is concluding the chapter and the section with a summary, conclusion, and doxology.

The Jewish inclusion, where the bulk of the nation will become Christians, is coming in the future. The Apostle Paul calls this future event, a “mystery” (11:25). This is a prophecy from the Apostle Paul; and a prophecy tells something of a future event, without giving the details of the event. Part of the mystery is that God has not revealed when or how this event will occur…just that it will occur. It is never helpful for us to speculate, especially because it is not for us to know the times nor the season for future happenings (Acts 1:7).

In this current dispensation, two main salvific realities are occurring: first, a partial hardening is happening to ethnic Israel, the Jews; while the Gentile inclusion is happening on a global scale (Acts 1:8; Rev 5:9; 7:9). This has been the program since the cross of Calvary; and it will be the program until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in to Christ (11:25). Gentiles are being grafted in as wild olive branches into the olive vine (Christ). The natural branches (the Jews) are off the vine, temporarily (Jn 15; Rom 11). In this, Yahweh is provoking ethnic Israel by bringing Gentiles into His salvation. The Gentiles were not looking for this salvation; but God was pleased to grant it to them.

A theory was put forward that God had fully and forever forsaken the Jewish people. Paul was eager to refute that argument; and he did so by explaining the current program. The program is set to change at the appointed time known only to God. Then, the same mercy God has been showing to the Gentiles for two thousand years (plus), will be shown to the Jews (11:30–32).

The gift of salvation will be granted to the bulk of the Jewish people. They will be called through the preaching of the Gospel to come to Jesus (Mt 11:28); and they will actually come in the same way God has been gathering His elect, redeemed people from the nations. He will have mercy on them as vessels of mercy prepared for glory (Rom 9:15–16, 23).

Yahweh is a merciful God (El Rakhum), in that He does not give His chosen people what we actually deserve. As sinners (Rom 3:23; 5:12), we deserve death (Rom 6:23), judgment (Heb 9:27), and eternal punishment in the fiery hell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). To satisfy God’s justice, in paying our debt of sin (Col 2:14), Jesus shed His precious blood as the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29; 1 Pet 1:19; Rev 5:6, 12), our substitute sacrifice (Is 53:6; 1 Pet 2:24). God accepted Jesus’ penal substitutionary atonement on the cross, on behalf of those given to Him by God the Father (Jn 17:2, 6, 24; 18:9); and we know this because God raised Jesus from the dead and enthroned Him at His right hand, in Majesty (Mk 16:19; Heb 1:3; 8:1).

The mercy of God is highlighted by His shutting up all in disobedience (11:32). All “in Adam” must die because of transgressions (1 Cor 15:22); but all who are “in Christ” will be made alive whether they are elect Jews or elect Gentiles (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13). In Him, we live (1 Jn 4:9).

It is the doctrine of the mercy of God that concludes the three chapters explaining the state of the Jewish people, now and in the future. God will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy (Rom 9:15–16); and that is what matters in the matter of salvation. In this way, God is glorified and man is humbled, as it should be in truth. We boast in Christ, not ourselves (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14).

In showing mercy to all, God is demonstrating His love for both Jewish people and Gentiles, that is, people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. It must be clarified that this “all” is not every person head-for-head. The Bible in no place teaches the false doctrine of Universalism. God’s exclusive love for all His chosen people, Jew and Gentile, is the Apostle’s message. God demonstrated His love toward us (His chosen people from both Jews and Gentiles), in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8; 1 Cor 15:3). He came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21).

Underlying the frowning face of Yahweh toward His disobedient people — the blood line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — is His love for these patriarchs who believed the Word of God given to them. They were justified by faith (Rom 4–5); but then their offspring turned the biblical revelation into a works-based religion (Judaism). God sent prophets and even His only begotten Son to correct them and call them to repentance (Mt 23:37; Jn 3:16; Acts 17:30). They did not receive Him (Jn 1:10–11). The nation of ethnic Israel remains outside of God’s favor, save for the believing remnant, according to His election of grace (Rom 11:5–6; 2 Thess 2:13).

God’s promise of salvation is contained in the eternal covenant (Heb 13:20), a covenant of grace, by which God has promised to take away sins and remove ungodliness from those who receive the blood of the covenant that gives blessed assurance of salvation (Rom 8), to all who are born again of God’s Holy Spirit (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3).

God has no regrets regarding how He saves nor who He saves (11:29). His plan and program are perfect in purpose and execution. Jesus promised that He would lose not-even-one of His own sheep from the flock of the Jews and from the “other” flock of the Gentiles (Jn 10:16, 28–29). Nothing can separate God’s elect, redeemed, regenerated, believers from His love for us, found only in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:31–39).

God has not just had pity on us, feeling sorry for our sad state of sin; but He has had mercy on us, which means He has positively transferred us from our sad state and into the beautiful land of Christ’s eternal kingdom (Col 1:13). What a day it will be when the Jews, in bulk, will join us in Christ Jesus our Lord. It will be like witnessing life from the dead (11:15)!

It will only be a reality because of God having mercy on sinners who were shut up in disobedience, so that the glory of their release will be all the more extraordinary (11:32). All glory, honor, dominion, and praise be to our God — the God of the Jews and the Gentiles (Rom 3:29).

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

July 31, 2025

Romans 11:25–32