Summary: In this biblical passage, which concludes the discussion of Romans 9-11, Paul declares that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable. God therefore has certainly not rejected the Jewish people. Paul cannot finally explain why the Jewish people have, for the most part, not turned to follow Jesus Christ. Still, he leaves the matter up to God and is confident that God will show mercy to all.
I wrote this biblical commentary for those preparing to preach or teach on the passage. Read the commentary at Working Preacher.
Sorry, Presidential Candidates: Hope Resides in Groans, Not in Your Rhetoric (Romans 8:22-27)
Summary: Political campaigns and commencement ceremonies seem designed to rouse feelings of hope from within us, giving us the energy and courage to move toward a better future. But when the Apostle Paul speaks about hope, he anchors it solely in God’s determination to deliver us from the decay and oppression wrought by sin and death. We know this divine determination because of what God has done through Jesus Christ and because God continues to be among us in the Holy Spirit, restlessly groaning in concert with all creation to express dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Read the full article, which is part of the ON Scripture–The Bible project, on The Huffington Post, Day1, and Patheos.
Bible commentary: general audience ON Scripture--The Bible
apostle paul commencement creation election season holy spirit hope letter to the romans paul pentecost romans 8:22-27