Paul explicitly makes his audience known, here. He is writing to gentiles. He is explaining that many Jews believed in their own works rather than the works of God. They are branches broken off from the olive tree because of their unbelief. Even though Paul stated previously that they did not believe because they are not foreknown by God, he now states that it is their unbelief that causes them to be broken off from the olive tree (broken off from God). Just as the elect are first chosen by God and then their belief and confession result in righteousness and salvation, so the reprobate are not chosen and then their own unbelief condemns them and they are broken off. So, we learn some of the mechanics of predestination. It is not what some academics refer to as “double predestination” wherein God elects some for salvation and elects some for condemnation. Instead, all people stand condemned and God elects some for salvation. He leaves the rest to be ruled by their own wills, which is what they want even if they are religious, and ultimately condemns them on the basis of their own unbelief. They freely chose to earn their own way rather than believe in God–like the Jews Paul is describing here. So, the Scriptures present a single predestination and reprobation as a result of people being left to their own devices and wills.

Many Jews were branches broken off fro the olive tree because of their unbelief. Elect gentiles are grafted into the olive tree—not to national Israel. Remember, Paul is not teaching a replacement theology. God remains true to His word and promises. Of His spiritual, eternal people, the gospel went first to the Jews and then to the gentiles. So, gentiles are being grafted in as they are being converted. Those Jews who never knew God are being broken off.

Paul warns gentiles not to be conceited, as if they are better than the Jews. They are not. If God does not spare the Jews who do not believe, He will not spare anyone who does not believe, and instead chooses freely to depend on self and be ruled by his own individual free will.

Lastly, a note on free will. Every person does indeed have free will. We have the perfect ability to act in accordance with our desires. This is the very thing that condemns us according to this text. We need a savior who causes us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to captivate our wills, and subject us to the salvific will of the Father. Many people would rather cling to their free will than submit to the will of the Father–yes, even religious people. If we are trying so desperately to cling to our free will or the notion of it, that is evidence enough that we are in rebellion against the only sovereign God.

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