New Testament in a Year

¹⁹ Then you will say, “Branches were cut off so that I could be grafted in.” ²⁰ That’s right! They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you remain only because of faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid!^{[a] 21} For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly will not spare you, either.

²² Consider, then, the kindness and severity of God: his severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness toward you—if you continue receiving his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. ²³ If the Jews^[b] do not persist in their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, because God is able to graft them in. ²⁴ After all, if you were cut off from what is naturally a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier it will be for these natural branches to be grafted back into their own olive tree!

The Restoration of Israel

²⁵ For I want to let you know about this secret, brothers, so that you will not claim to be wiser than you are: Stubbornness has come to part of Israel until the full number of the gentiles comes to faith.^{[c] 26} In this way, all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

²⁸ As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake, but as far as election is concerned, they are loved for the sake of their ancestors. ²⁹ For God’s gifts and calling never change. ³⁰ For just as you disobeyed God in the past but now have received his mercy because of their disobedience, ³¹ so they, too, have now disobeyed. As a result, they may^[e] receive mercy because of the mercy shown to you. ³² For God has locked all people in the prison of their own disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

In Praise of God’s Ways