Study Desk

But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Yisra'el, that are of Yisra'el.

Neither, because they are Avraham's seed, are they all children. But, "In Yitzchak will your seed be called."

That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed.

Not only so, but Rivka also conceived by one, by our father Yitzchak.

For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,

Even as it is written, "Ya`akov I loved, but Esav I hated."

So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.

But no, man, who are you who replies against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"

us, whom he also called, not from the Yehudim only, but also from the Goyim?

but Yisra'el, following after a law of righteousness, didn't arrive at the law of righteousness.

Why? Because they didn't seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;

For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

But the righteousness which is of faith says this, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Messiah down);

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;" that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

But they didn't all listen to the glad news. For Yesha`yahu says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

But I say, didn't they hear? Yes, most assuredly, "Their sound went out into all the eretz, Their words to the ends of the world."

But I ask, didn't Yisra'el know? First Moshe says, "I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of understanding I will make you angry."

But as to Yisra'el he says, "All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.

But how does God answer him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Ba`al."

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.