Romans 11:25-36

The theme of mercy becomes the controlling idea that continues to humble us as God’s people and drives us to give him praise. This theme emerged early in Rom 9, as Paul reminded us that God says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy” (v. 15), and that “It [salvation] does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (v. 16). Mercy will play a central role in today’s passage (vv. 30–31). And God’s mercies will serve as Paul’s jumping-off point when he begins the admonitions of the next chapter (12:1). Let’s follow the crescendo of this passage, then, as God’s mercy tunes our hearts to praise him.