Paul feels a need to clarify his position on Israel. He is an Israelite. It wants to be sure that the gentiles in Rome know that Israel has not been rejected. Instead, God is working all things together for the salvation of His people among every nation. God foreknew some in Israel and is now keeping a remnant for Himself like He did in the days of Elijah. He foreknew many gentiles, but not all. Remember, the foreknowledge Paul teaches is relational, not factual (cf 9:10-13). As Paul is inviting gentiles to follow Christ and gather in Rome, he needs to explain why the Hebrew God is the one true God amidst the pantheon of supposed deities Romans have heard about. He answers by saying, in his own style and words, that God is not a Hebrew God. He is just God. He chooses people. He chose Israel to accomplish a purpose that is being accomplished—to make Himself known among the nations. Jews who are chosen by God obtain justification. Gentiles who are chosen by God obtain justification. Jews who are not chosen (here to mean foreknown) by God do not obtain justification even though they seek it by their own works or religion. Gentiles who are not chosen by God do not obtain justification even though they seek it by their own works or philosophies. Before God, who is not Himself a Hebrew, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile with regard to justification. Salvation is truly by grace alone. If it is by grace, it is not on the basis of any work.

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