Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that Paul is making the point that if God, despite his mercy and patience, had finally altered the unique, exclusive status of His own chosen people because of their failure to bear fruit (as evidenced especially by their general rejection of Christ during His earthly life, which had resulted in Gentiles (including the Christian community at Rome whom Paul was addressing) being placed in the same "chosen" status formerly reserved for the Jews, and which would also lead to the temporal judgment that would occur through the coming destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 that Jesus foretold (Matthew 23:37-39; Matthew 24:2)), then it would also be possible for those same Gentile churches to be subjected to a similar temporal fate if they failed to bear fruit for Him.

At the same time, I would also say that this action on God's part would be caused by both egregious and persistent disobedience or even abandonment of the faith, as well as by repeated failure to repent and be restored, to such a degree that it would not allow anyone to question the righteousness of God's judgment. (Jesus used this same metaphor in His parable of the unfruitful fig tree in Luke 13:6-9.) (By contrast, however, He also commended possession of an amount of faith even as small as a grain of mustard seed (Luke 17:6).)

November 03 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft 74 year old retired pipeline worker

He was writing about the Jews. They rejected Jesus as their savior and believed they were saved by keeping the law. 

We are saved by faith alone apart from the works of the law. Galatians 2:21 I do not void the grace of God, for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in fain. 

We are saved by faith alone apart from the deeds of the law so no man can boast. Romans 3:26-8. The law can not save sinners. We are saved by faith alone apart from works 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved, through faith (faith is not a work) and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. You can not boast in free. John 3:18 Faith alone. John 3:16 Faith alone. 

John 6:47 Faith alone. Romans 4:5-8. Faith alone. 

The Jews as a nation were cut off because of unbelief. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. The law is good, it just can not save a sinner. Romans 3:23. 

So, now, we are justified by faith alone in Jesus finished work on the cross alone apart from works. Our works could never save sinners which we all are. First John 1:8. 

Romans 11:29 For the GIFTS, eternal life, and the calling of God, John 12:32 are without repentance. Irrevocable, can not be changed back. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 Our guarantee of eternal life. First John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE, on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

January 08 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Berry

Two scriptures:
Matthew 24:13 But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. 

James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

January 09 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report