10:12-13 What do we learn from what Paul says here?
10:12-13 What do we learn from what Paul says here?
This is one of numerous scriptures in the Bible that clearly refutes the teaching in the church that before anyone was even born God has already determined whether or not they will be saved. It is plainly evident here that God will save everyone who invokes His name for salvation, regardless of who they are, or how vile a sinner they may have been.
All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, so it is also a lesson against bigotry in the church. No one can hold themselves to be above others. God is no respecter of persons (CP Ac 10:34-35; Ro 2:10-11; Ga 3:28; Col 3:25; Jas 2:1-9; 1Pe 1:17).
God does not take into account race, colour or creed. No one can earn salvation - which is what the Jews tried to do - they must accept it as a gift from God, who offers it freely to all mankind through Jesus Christ (CP Jn 3:16-18; Ro 3:10, 20-26; 5:1-2, 6-12, 18-19; Ga 3:22). The Jews thought they were the only ones worth saving, but when they rejected Christ and tried to make themselves righteous by the works of the law, God set them aside and turned to the Gentiles (CP Ac 13:44-47; Ro 9:30-33; 10:1-4).
But this does not mean, as we saw in our study on Ro 9:25-29, that God has completely rejected the Jews - there will be a remnant saved at Christ's second coming (CP Isa 10:20-22 and 11:10-16 with Ro 9:27-29 and 11:1-2, 12, 23, 26-29).
See also comments on Ro 9:30-33, 10:4, 10:6-11, 10:12-13, 10:18-21, 11:1-10, 11:2, 11:4, 11:7-10, 11:16, 11:17-24, 11:29, 11:32, 11:33-36; Rev 12:1-5, and 12:6 and author's studies The Old Covenant - Fulfilled in Christ and Completely Abolished in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1), and Israel in God's eternal Purpose in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).