Romans 10: Jews don't know the Lord...
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:18 am
Romans 10 is very confusing, and I've read it in many different ways over the years.
This seems to be saying that the Jews don't know Yahweh/the Lord. I used to think this mean that the Jews didn't know of the recent incarnation called Jesus, but it really seems to be saying that the Jews don't know the Lord at all. How could Paul say this? This seems to be a pretty important statement. Paul is claiming that the Jews have no knowledge of the Lord. He goes on in Romans 11:
Is Paul comparing himself to Elijah here? Paul seems to be saying that just as in the time of Elijah, the Jews are worshiping a false god. There are only a few "elect" who know the Lord, all the rest have no knowledge of the Lord (or God?).
Romans 10-12 is all a bit confusing, but seems quite important. To make matters worse, many of the commentaries statement that these parts were missing from Marcion's Apostolikon, yet, they would seem to be somewhat Marcionite in nature. What are some good scholarly resources on these passages?
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15 But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,
“I will make you jealous with those who are not a nation,
With a foolish nation I will anger you.”
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But as for Israel, He says, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
14 How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15 But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,
“I will make you jealous with those who are not a nation,
With a foolish nation I will anger you.”
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But as for Israel, He says, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
This seems to be saying that the Jews don't know Yahweh/the Lord. I used to think this mean that the Jews didn't know of the recent incarnation called Jesus, but it really seems to be saying that the Jews don't know the Lord at all. How could Paul say this? This seems to be a pretty important statement. Paul is claiming that the Jews have no knowledge of the Lord. He goes on in Romans 11:
11 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? Far from it! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Is Paul comparing himself to Elijah here? Paul seems to be saying that just as in the time of Elijah, the Jews are worshiping a false god. There are only a few "elect" who know the Lord, all the rest have no knowledge of the Lord (or God?).
Romans 10-12 is all a bit confusing, but seems quite important. To make matters worse, many of the commentaries statement that these parts were missing from Marcion's Apostolikon, yet, they would seem to be somewhat Marcionite in nature. What are some good scholarly resources on these passages?