Metaphor,Mystery and the Salvation of Israel in Romans 9–11: Paul's Appeal to Humility and Doxology

Abstract

In Romans 9–11, Paul develops metaphors of the foot race and olive tree in attempting to explain why some Israelites have been unfaithful to God and God's Messiah/Christ and to express his hope that “all Israel” will yet be saved. Through these images, Paul challenges Gentile Christians to humility and doxology—to acknowledge their indebtedness to God's foundational covenant with Israel and to affirm God's faithfulness to save all of God's people: Jew (first) and Gentile (also).