Romans Chapter 11
IN THIS LESSON
This passage echoes the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. In that story, the older son becomes jealous of his brother and refuses to join the celebration. This kind of reversal—where the expected roles in family and society are flipped—is common in the Old Testament, especially in stories of brothers. What are some biblical examples of this dynamic in brotherly relationships? In Romans 11, Israel takes the role of the older brother. Will they accept the invitation to join the celebration, or remain outside in protest? Or—as Paul hopes—will their jealousy ultimately lead them to rejoin the party?
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N. T. Wright, Romans for Everyone: Part 2, Chapters 9-16 (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2023), 28-32.