Election of the Lesser Son: Paul’s Lament-Midrash in Romans 9

Election of the Lesser Son: Paul’s Lament-Midrash in Romans 9–11 is unavailable, but you can change that!

God chooses Israel (salvation “first to the Jew and then the gentile”), but without showing favoritism? Paul genuinely grieves for Israel as one speaking “in” Christ, yet prays to be cursed, cut off from Christ? Romans 9–11 remains one of the most difficult and contested biblical texts in scholarship today. Theological discussions often limit the focus of this passage to God’s sovereignty,...

concerning their pride: “Therefore, behold the kindness and severity of God: upon the ones falling, severity, but upon you, the kindness of God, if you remain in kindness; otherwise you will be cut off,” 11:22. This insight concerning God’s wrath also adds to Paul’s discussion of wrath in the rest of his letter. Paul’s opening words in the body of the letter describe God’s wrath being “revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness,” 1:17. And this wrath is carried out impartially, for it is stored

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