![]() That’s what he attributes to his recipients in 11:20. You may already know that the Greek word for faith is pistis. Paul’s understanding of faith is clarified in this passage through contrast. The question is whether he also believes that they could lose that status. By using the language of faith to describe his Roman audience, Paul indicates that he assumes their justification. ![]() ![]() This comes through in 11:20 when Paul says to his hearers, “you stand by faith.” Now if you’ve read Romans 3:21-26, you know that those who have faith are also those who have been justified. What’s striking about this text is what Paul assumes about his audience, namely he takes them to be justified believers who have peace with God. After all, God is able to graft them in again. They shouldn’t boast over the natural branches (Israel) that were broken off. He compares them to a wild olive shoot that has been grafted into an olive tree, which represents ethnic Israel. Paul addresses himself specifically to the Gentile members of his audience (11:13) and warns them to avoid the sin of pride (11:20). It comes as part of Paul’s refutation of the notion that God has abandoned ethnic Israel in favor of the nations. One of the determinative texts is Romans 11:17-25. ![]() Can a true believer fall from grace? If someone commits apostasy, were they ever really saved? If it is indeed possible to lose your salvation, how does it happen? What’s the condition? How should we understand the notion of perseverance? What do key biblical texts say about the issue? The recent departure of Joshua Harris not only from Christian ministry but from Christianity altogether has brought questions regarding apostasy and falling away to the forefront of recent evangelical dialogue. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |