Romans 11:32 has in interesting turn of phrase. Here is the NASB rendering of the verse:
For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He may show mercy to all.
The Greek word, translated above as "shut up" means to catch, or enclose, or metaphorically to consign something somewhere.
Next, the verse tells us just "where," into disobedience. The Greek word translated above as "disobedience" refers to an obstinate refusal to accept Divine will. By nature we are prideful, we know best, kind of folks. We can humble ourselves, but not without difficulty.
But the key question is "why did this "disability" or bent of character facilitate God showing mercy to all of humanity, both Jews and Gentiles? To answer that question we must look to the context of the verse!
Of course the Jews had the Law and the Prophets, disclosing God's promised Messiah and edicts for how they were to live their lives. On the other hand, the Gentiles had no such "special revelation" but did have an appreciation of God by what He had made. Rather than honoring Him, they created out of their imaginations, all sorts of "gods" that fit their fancy.
Paul describes the whole sequence in Romans 11:28 to 32. Because the Jews rejected the gospel, especially that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, Paul was told to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Thus by their ( the Jews) obstinate rejection of the divine will, mercy was shown to the Gentiles. The idea of "show mercy to all" is that of God granting opportunities, even to those unworthy, of benefits, particularly of salvation by Christ, the Messiah. And because the Jews would become aware of God's blessings being bestowed upon the Gentiles, jealousy would drive some Jews back into God's provision for all.
For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He may show mercy to all.
The Greek word, translated above as "shut up" means to catch, or enclose, or metaphorically to consign something somewhere.
Next, the verse tells us just "where," into disobedience. The Greek word translated above as "disobedience" refers to an obstinate refusal to accept Divine will. By nature we are prideful, we know best, kind of folks. We can humble ourselves, but not without difficulty.
But the key question is "why did this "disability" or bent of character facilitate God showing mercy to all of humanity, both Jews and Gentiles? To answer that question we must look to the context of the verse!
Of course the Jews had the Law and the Prophets, disclosing God's promised Messiah and edicts for how they were to live their lives. On the other hand, the Gentiles had no such "special revelation" but did have an appreciation of God by what He had made. Rather than honoring Him, they created out of their imaginations, all sorts of "gods" that fit their fancy.
Paul describes the whole sequence in Romans 11:28 to 32. Because the Jews rejected the gospel, especially that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, Paul was told to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Thus by their ( the Jews) obstinate rejection of the divine will, mercy was shown to the Gentiles. The idea of "show mercy to all" is that of God granting opportunities, even to those unworthy, of benefits, particularly of salvation by Christ, the Messiah. And because the Jews would become aware of God's blessings being bestowed upon the Gentiles, jealousy would drive some Jews back into God's provision for all.
