What Is A Gentile In The New Testament? Part Two… A Breakdown of Romans 11
Hopefully, you have ingested part one concerning Romans chapters 9 and 10.
https://joeythompson-51343.medium.com/what-is-a-gentile-in-the-new-testament-a-breakdown-of-romans-9-10-6b574d5c2338
Those two chapters lay a foundation for chapter 11. It is a must to understand the following points before you can come to grips with the furtherance Paul is making in chapter 11.
1 — The reference made by writers in the New Testament to Gentiles is best understood as “Geographical Gentiles”, NOT as it is supposed, Geneaolgical Gentiles.
2 — The statement concerning “neither Jew nor Greek” is NOT two categories of people, as in Israel and non-Israel, but rather, two categories of people, as in Jews (House of Judah) and Gentiles (House of Israel dwelling in Gentile nations). Greek = The Lost Sheep of The House of Israel who spoke the Greek Language and/or dwelled in formally controlled Greek nations.
3 — The subject of both chapters, 9 and 10, is Paul’s Kinsmen, the whole House of Israel… All 12 tribes.
4 — The statement, “Not all of Israel are Israel.” is a direct reference to those who are called out of Israel… the Elect of Israel. AKA, the called out of Israel. This point is important because Paul is saying, the majority of Israel is yet to be saved, but will be at the focal point of the plan of salvation… The Church Age and The Millennium.
5 — The statement, “NOT ONLY THE JEWS BUT ALSO THE GENTILES.”, is Paul introducing to the Jews dwelling in Rome, that there is still the other side of the national equation, the other 10 tribes of Israel that have to be considered.
6 — By the rejoining of both Houses of Israel (Judah and Israel)(Southern and Northern House) via the ministry of reconciliation through Christ, the ministry of Christ (which is Covenant Law) is now beginning to also go to the true Gentiles (non-Israelite) nations. It’s the Acts 15 council decision made manifest, where true Gentiles can now come and learn Moses every Sabbath. (See Acts 15:21). Thus true, non-Israelite people are brought into the equation to begin learning of Yeshua and Him crucified, as well as Covenant Law. The gospel therefore is not an exclusive club, however, it is unto first fruits. A simple fact spelled out within the totality of scripture.
7 — The statement, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” should be understood as “For Christ is THE GOAL of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” THIS STATEMENT IN NO WAY ABOLISHES YHWH’s COVENANT LAW, but rather solidifies the importance of Covenant Law to the Believer.
8 — Belief (Faith) and Obedience define one another. To Believe in Christ is to obey YHWH’s Law and vice versa.
Just about every one of the above eight points is blasphemy to all of MODERN Christendom, especially that which deals with the observance of YHWH’s Covenant Law. Adherence to Covenant Law denotes identity, for progressive Christianity which teaches Gentiles are not under the law, as if YHWH’s law is a burden or bondage of some kind. YHWH’s law is called the law of liberty, which shows the twisted mindset of mainstream Modernity within the Christian churches. Bondage and Liberty are at enmity with one another.
With all of that said, let’s take a detailed look into the most misunderstood chapter in all of The Bible… Romans 11.
“I ask, then, has The Almighty rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. The Almighty has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.” Romans 11:1–2
While it must be noted the tribe of Benjamin was a second tribe within the House of Judah, the very mention of this tribe is a little more than coincidental. Not only was Paul a Benjaminite but an underlying point made here is, the subject wasn’t just the descendants of Judah but the entire house of Judah which included Benjamin… Later in this chapter, we will see this theme expounded upon concerning both Houses of Israel and Judah… Again all 12 tribes.
Christianity would tell you that The House of Israel has been cast off in lieu of Gentile Believers. Paul is very clearly dismissing this mistaken premise.
“Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to The Almighty against (concerning) Israel? “Lord, they (The House of Israel) have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is The Almighty’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is NO LONGER on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:2–6
Now before I address the lying pen of the scribes within the above passage, I must make the point that Paul begins the above text by squelching any “holier than thou” leadership that might try to raise its ugly head amongst the Jews who were always the King tribe within Israel. However, Paul uses this principle as an opportunity to explain how self-righteousness begins, warning the Jews at Rome of the trap that besieged them anciently.
The lying pen of the scribes (see Jeremiah 8:8), i.e. TranSLAYers of the Judeo-Christian Bible use this text as an opportunity to greatly deceive.
The words tranSLAYed (translated) in the text above, “NO LONGER”, is a prime example of how easily it is to deceive the reader. Allow a look at the actual definition of this Greek word.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
Original Word: οὐκέτι (G3765)
Part of Speech: Adverb, Negative
Transliteration: ouketi
Phonetic Spelling: (ook-et’-ee)no longer
Also (separately) ouk eti (ook et’-ee) from ou and eti; NOT YET, no longer — after that (not), (not) any more, henceforth (hereafter) not, no longer (more), not as yet (now), now no more (not), yet (not).
see GREEK ou
see GREEK eti
The single definition of “no longer” is simply not correct. Jimmy Strongs is not insulated from the deep deceptions of the lying pen of the scribes. So, how can we know this? Well, by using just one of many tried and true methodologies of scriptural study.
Always, go to the root of the word and then apply that root to the surface meaning to form a new, more accurate definition above that of what Jimmy Strong used.
In this case, the word is a compound word, hailing from the root of two words. The truth is found in the process of running down the meaning of these two words, and then reapplying those meanings to the original word that Paul uses.
The Greek word “ou” is simply the negative portion of the part of speech and is correctly defined as “no” or “not”. This is not in question.
The controversy comes when the tranSLAYers fail to consider the implication that the context might yet be future in time. And in fact when we look at the definition of the word “eti”, this is exactly what we see.
Strong’s Concordance
eti: still, yet
Original Word: ἔτι (G2089)
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: eti
Phonetic Spelling: (et’-ee)
Definition: still, yet
Usage: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition.
Thus applying a more correct understanding of this word falsely tranSLAYed “NO LONGER”, we can read the text this way.
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is NOT YET on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”
The implication is that YHWH is calling back both Judah and Israel, two different groups, via His favor or grace, for the express purpose of showing forth all those awful works that Christian theology desires to expel and get rid of. YHWH desires to manifest those works as an example of the way of righteousness and the very foundation of His coming government.
In other words, the goal of His grace is to manifest the works of righteousness via the proper observance of His Covenant Law… True righteousness.
Now before leaving this text concerning “Grace and Works”, which we will continue to address throughout this chapter, we must define both.
Christianity would have you believe grace is defined as “unmerited pardon for sins”… Unmerited is defined as not deserved. Just so you know, this principle is simply not in scripture. What is in scripture is judgment for sin, as well as an opportunity to repent and change once sin is realized. In other words, something one must do to receive such a pardon.
Biblically, grace is defined as FAVOR for obedience or a positive lifestyle change…. Repentance. An act of virtue. Obedience to YHWH’s Covenant Law.
Works, however, is a different animal altogether. While grace or favor is given to someone who is beginning his or her walk because they took the inaugrual baby steps toward righteousness, works denote perfection in the matter. A mature seasoned Believer who has proven their LOYALTY toward YHWH and His ways to the point that their actions and lifestyle are second nature toward righteousness.
“Become you perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
The above concept spelled out in an equation would look like this…
Perfection = Loyalty to YHWH.
Loyalty can only be made manifest by action, tested, marked, and approved by the One demanding such loyalty. Throughout scripture, there is a running theme that shows the manner in which YHWH carries out such a test upon His people.
Notice the key indicator within these three witnesses from YHWH’s word.
“Then YHWH said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I MIGHT TEST THEM, whether they will walk in my law or not…”
“On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, he said to them, “This is what YHWH has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy SABBATH to YHWH; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’”Exodus 16:4 and 16:22–23
And…
“You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am YHWH your Mighty One. You shall keep my SABBATHS and reverence my sanctuary: I am YHWH. If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then all these blessings will come upon you.” Leviticus 26:1–3
And…
“I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live. Moreover, I gave them my SABBATHS, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am YHWH who sanctifies them. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes but rejected my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; and my SABBATHS they greatly profaned.” Ezekiel 20:11–13
The above (tip of the iceberg) evidence points to the fact that not only does YHWH use the observance of His Sabbaths, both weekly, annual, and yearly Sabbaths, but also this great test commandment allows an avenue toward knowledge into all of the other points within Covenant Law accordingly. The point being… If you as the Believer are observing YHWH’s Sabbaths, then you are setting aside the time to learn of His ways to then be able to put those ways into practice in your daily walk… True repentance.
Thus the Sabbath is a gateway toward loyalty and therefore the pursuit of perfection.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming fro Romans 11.
“What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,” Romans 11:7
Again Paul doubles down on the fact that within the full House of Israel, there are those, called The Elect, who have been called out of the world’s ways having come to the foundational knowledge of Christ and Him crucified, pointing the way back to Covenant Law (the goal of the law being Christ). However, the majority (the rest) have been hardened. The rest in the above text is very clearly both House of Judah Jews who have not believed, as well as the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
Paul then quotes from a trifecta of Patriarchs.
“as it is written,
“YHWH gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that would not see
and ears that would not hear,
down to this very day.”And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever.” Romans 11:8–10
Paul takes the first ten verses in Romans chapter 11 to let the reader know who or what the subject matter truly is… The Whole House of Israel, all 12 tribes. Please allow this critical thought point to enter your mind.
The three authors of the two above Old Testament quotations are Moses, Isaiah, and David. Paul brings these two quotes into the equation to further make the case that the subject is all of Israel. How do we know? Well, go back and read the context of both quotations. The first quote hails from two locations.
“But to this day YHWH has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.” Deuteronomy 29:4
And…
“For YHWH has poured out upon you (Israel) a spirit of deep sleep,
and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers).” Isaiah 29:10
And…
“Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see, and make their loins tremble continually.” Psalms 69:22–23
The context of all three passages is simply not the non-Israelite Gentiles to which the Lawless Modern Christian Churches would have you believe, but rather the wayward House of Israel who were prophesied to be lawless or in the case of David, that of Saul’s house trying to kill David at the time.
Now back to Romans 11.
In my Bible, the following heading would be the next thing you would read after reading verse 10.
Gentiles Grafted In
If you keep in mind, the tranSLAYers having laid a potent deceptive foundation, leading the reader to believe the subject of Paul’s explanation is concerning the non-Israelite Gentiles… Then the above heading would make perfect sense. However, let's read the next 26 verses to the end of the chapter with the correct foundation in mind… The subject is the whole House of Israel being called back into Covenant with YHWH.
“So I ask, did they (ancient wayward Judah and Israel) stumble in order that they (all 12 tribes) might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make ISRAEL jealous.” Romans 11:11
Once again, the lying pen of the scribes (See Jeremiah 8:8) does damage to YHWH’s word. When we look at the interlinear of the Greek text, we can see a major problem when comparing the tranSLAYed version with the original text. The tranSLAYers have added the words “to make Israel jealous” in a place to which Paul did not. The word “Israel” is not in the text. Where they have added this identification of Israel, the context shows the text is speaking of non-Israelite Gentiles, not physical Israel. The tranSLAYers have is ass-backward.
Let’s examine the text as it should be translated with commentary added for clarity.
“I say then, did they (Israel) stumble that they (Israel) should fall? May it not be. But in their (Israel’s) transgression, deliverance (an oportunity of healing) came to the nations (true Gentile nations), for the provoking them (the nations) to jealousy (to stimulate alongside).” Romans 11:11 Greek Interlinear.
The last word in this text, which is translated as jealousy in both the biblical text and the Greek Interlinear is properly defined as follows:
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
parazéloó: to provoke to jealousy
Original Word: παραζηλόω (G3863)
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: parazéloó
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ad-zay-lo’-o)provoke to jealousy.
From para and zeloo; TO STIMULATE ALONGSIDE, i.e. Excite to rivalry — provoke to emulation (jealousy).
see GREEK para
see GREEK zeloo
Again, critical thought has to be exercised to fully understand what Paul is saying in this text. The above keyword in question from Romans 11:11 is translated as “jealousy”. It is a compound word, denoting stimulation in a spirit of emulation. The very best synonym of emulation is imitation. Thus Paul is simply stating that the good news of salvation or deliverance that has come to the whole House of Israel, all 12 tribes, works to stimulate non-Israel to good works through the knowledge of Christ, which is Covenant Law in the flesh.
“Now if their trespass means riches for the world (non-Israel), and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles (non-Israel), how much more will their full inclusion mean?” Romans 11:12
In other words, once all of Israel has been brought back into the family tree, it would include a more pure understanding of Christ and His Covenant Law, the lamp toward salvation and righteousness.
“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous (stimulated to the action of humility), and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:13–16
Now please get this…
The statement, “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles”, is a rededication to addressing Paul’s audience.
Remember that when you are reading Paul, you must keep in mind that you are reading someone else’s mail. Paul’s epistles are letters to various Assemblies throughout the known modern world in the first century.
Thus Paul is re-addressing or re-identifying who or what a Gentile is in his work… Anyone dwelling in a Gentile nation. Rome was certainly a Gentile city. Thus Paul is letting the Believing Jews dwelling in Rome know, in a form of humility cast upon these potentially self-righteous Jews, that they should even consider themselves Gentiles for the express purpose of viewing in a more correct vain, exactly what YHWH is doing via the Gospel of Christ.
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,” Romans 11:17
The use of the words “wild olive shoot” points directly to the deception of Judaism which had led The House of Judah away from the truth of pure Covenant Law. Judaism mistook these additional laws of punishment as the proper way to please YHWH through the bondage of the Levitical Priesthood system, via the sacrificial, ceremonial system. This system was abolished for all who believed after the resurrection of Christ.
“therefore, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.” Romans 11:18
Here, Paul addresses the before-mentioned self-righteousness trap that he saw within the converted Jews throughout His time ministering to The Gospel. Paul sees the need to bring the believing Jews into a mindset of humility before any growth and fellowship can occur. They had to fully understand, the root mentioned in this text is Christ, whom they had accepted… But that is apart from the constructs and traps of Judaism.
With all that in mind, Paul then addresses the other avenue of the potential self-righteous mindset.
“Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear” Romans 11:19–20
Can you begin to see a theme here? Paul, having once been a Jew, knows the “it’s all about me” mentality of Judaism.
Romans chapter 11 is Paul’s written action designed completely humble and squelch all forms of exclusivity of The Jews while having to walk the fine line of keeping YHWH’s plan of salvation in order, which could be viewed as an exclusive order to solely the full House of Israel, all 12 tribes.
The reality of the matter is that YHWH is meticulously bringing salvation to all mankind. However, it is through the whole House of Israel first, then eventually into the Millennium and Great White Throne Judgment period that Gentiles (non-Israel) will have an opportunity at salvation.
Thus, what Paul is doing is so very difficult to convey. It only makes sense when we keep in mind that we are reading someone else’s mail and the mindset of the reader of that mail, as well as the true, step-by-step plan of salvation given to us by the rest of scripture. In other words, Believers can not diverse Paul’s mistranslated words within his writings to create a brand new theology of universalism now. The tranSLAYers have done double damage via Paul’s words in this very misunderstood chapter of Romans.
Paul continues…
“For if YHWH did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.” Romans 11:21
With these words, Paul is now ready to move on from the humbling foundation of avoiding self-righteousness to the perfect balance of judgment and mercy which YHWH desires for Believers to fully understand.
“Now note then the kindness and the severity of YHWH: severity toward those who have fallen (anyone who has tasted the goodness of Christ and Him crucified), but YHWH’s kindness (mercy) to you, provided you continue in his kindness (non-arrogant, self-centered, “it’s all about me” mentality). Otherwise, you (Jews that fall back into Judaism) too will be cut off. And even they (non-Jewish Israel), if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted (back) in, for YHWH has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree (Judaism), and grafted, contrary to (human) nature, into a cultivated (original) olive tree (of the original whole Hosue of Israel), how much more will these, the natural branches (true bloodline of Israel, who are not Jews of Judaism), be grafted back into their own olive tree.” Romans 11:22–24 (comments of clarity added within parentheses).
The commentary added above within parentheses should clarify Paul’s intent to bring Believing Jews dwelling in Rome down a notch in their mindset toward the good news of Christ, while allowing an acceptance of their Brothers of Israel who had lost their identity, being scattered throughout Gentile Nations who were now being called back into the faith of YHWH. That said, Paul continues to warn these Believing Jews, who now accepted Christ and Him crucified…
“Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Romans 11:25
In the above text, Paul calls this concept a mystery. You, as the reader, should think deeply about this concept, as Paul then makes known yet another truism misconstrued in today’s Christian liberal modernity of universalism. The general notion that the so-called church age is the period of time (then past two thousand years) when the gospel of first firstfruits (a here-and-now opportunity at eternal life) is given to the non-Israelite Gentiles, is just false.
The reference to the fullness of the Gentiles is a direct statement of prophecy pointing to the time when YHWH would regather all 12 tribes into one land… The truly intended promised land was given to solely Israel, which is America.
Paul’s use of the statement, “a partial hardening has come upon Israel” is a reference to the fact that the majority of Israel utterly rejects their identity and the responsibility that comes with any knowledge of their true status. Today, as we come to the very end of this period Paul alludes to as the fullness of the Gentiles, which goes back to the blessings given to Abraham’s descendants because of his obedience to YHWH’s Law (see Genesis 26:5), we can very clearly see this hardening of Israel’s heart to this identity. In short, Christians loathe any idea that identity of any kind can be an important aspect of the Gospel of Christ.
Paul continues…
“And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:26–27
Once again, Paul uses Isaiah words, via the context of Israel’s salvation to make his case… Covenant Law will once again become the standard to which salvation will be attained to. The statement Paul makes here, “when I take away their sins” ties Covenant Law to Christ and Him crucified. These two are one and the same.
Christ is Covenant Law and Covenant Law is Christ. The WORD (Covenant Law) became flesh and dwelt among us.
“As regards (according to) the gospel, they (hardened hearts of Israel who reject their identity) are enemies for your (True Beleivers) sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).” Romans 11:28
“For the gifts and the calling of YHWH are irrevocable. For just as you (Beleiving Jews) were at one time disobedient to YHWH (through Judaism) but now have received mercy because of their (Jews in Judaism who killed Christ) disobedience, so they (The hardened hearts of wayward lost Israel) too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For YHWH has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” Romans 11:29–32
In each period of Israel’s history concerning the Northern House of Israel and the Southern House of Judah and their fall from the loyalty required of YHWH, there is an opportunity for YHWH’s mercy to manifest. Much like The Enemy that is The Leftist, Liberal Democrat who never lets a good crisis go to waste… So too, YHWH uses the failure of both Houses of Israel to make known His goodness accordingly. So too, Paul never misses an opportunity to wax poetic in his teaching, he closes the chapter with these words….
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of YHWH! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of Our Savior, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33–36
Joey Thompson
JoeyThompson777@aol.com
PrayAndFastForOurNation.com