Topical Bible: The Jews: Cast off for Unbelief

◄ The Jews: Cast off for Unbelief ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the Jews being "cast off" for unbelief is a theme that emerges in various passages of the New Testament, reflecting the early Christian understanding of the relationship between Israel and the nascent Christian Church. This theme is particularly evident in the writings of the Apostle Paul, who grapples with the tension between God's promises to Israel and the Jewish rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of Jewish unbelief extensively in his Epistle to the Romans. In Romans 11:20-21 , Paul writes, "That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either." Here, Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to describe the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles. The "natural branches" (the Jews) were broken off due to unbelief, while the Gentiles, as "wild olive shoots," were grafted in through faith.

Paul further elaborates on this theme in Romans 11:7-8 : "What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.'" This passage suggests that a divine hardening has come upon Israel, preventing them from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, while a remnant, chosen by grace, has obtained what Israel sought.

Theological Implications

The casting off of the Jews for unbelief raises significant theological questions about the nature of God's promises and the continuity of His covenant with Israel. Paul addresses these concerns by affirming that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). He envisions a future restoration for Israel, stating in Romans 11:26 , "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.'"

This future hope for Israel underscores the belief that their current state of unbelief is not final. Paul emphasizes that the hardening of Israel is partial and temporary, serving a greater purpose in God's redemptive plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles and ultimately to all of Israel.

Historical Context

The early Christian understanding of Jewish unbelief must be viewed within the historical context of the first-century Church. The initial followers of Jesus were predominantly Jewish, and the early Church emerged from within the Jewish religious milieu. However, as the message of Jesus spread, it encountered significant resistance from Jewish religious authorities, leading to tensions and eventual separation between Judaism and Christianity.

The destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD further exacerbated these tensions, as Christians interpreted this event as a divine judgment on Israel for rejecting Jesus. This interpretation reinforced the belief that the Jews had been cast off due to unbelief, while the Church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, became the new people of God.

Practical Considerations

For contemporary Christians, the theme of the Jews being cast off for unbelief serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and humility. Paul's admonition in Romans 11:20-21 warns against arrogance and presumption, urging believers to remain steadfast in faith and to recognize the grace that has been extended to them.

Moreover, this theme invites Christians to reflect on their relationship with the Jewish people, fostering a spirit of prayer and hope for their eventual restoration. It challenges believers to engage in respectful dialogue and witness, grounded in love and a shared heritage of faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 11:17,20
And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Salvation to the Jews
... God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. ... it was composed of these faithful
Jews who recognized ... because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

Christ's Word, Seek, and Ye Shall Find, no Warrant for Heretical ...
... on it for importing the scrupulosity (of their unbelief). ... be opened unto you." [1938]
The Jews had formerly ... 1939] God; but being afterwards cast off on account ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter viii christs word seek and.htm

Rom. xi. 7
... peculiar possession, and cannot be finally and utterly cast away ... fact that some of
them have been cut off or that ... from the point of view of the Jews' own action ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix rom xi 7.htm

The Sin of Unbelief
... He may have cast me off; he may be unmindful of his ... never turn to the tragedy of
Masada, when the Jews stabbed each ... He is cut off, as a branch is cut from a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the sin of unbelief.htm

On Feast Days and Fast Days.
... and against His Christ;" [3122] and, "They cast away the ... of me;" [3127] and
thenceforward leave off your fasting ... For to Jews the Lord is still dead, but to ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on feast days and.htm

Acts of Saint Philip the Apostle when He Went to Upper Hellas.
... Ananias, the great high priest of the Jews in Jerusalem ... that, O Ananias, thy covering
of unbelief were taken ... name by which the high priest himself is cast off. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of philip/acts of saint philip the.htm

Prophecy was not Only from the Father and the Son but Also from ...
... the Holy Spirit, Thus shall the Jews in Jerusalem ... believed, and because he believed
he cast off the zeal ... anointed His champion, and having shaken off the dust ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiii prophecy was not.htm

Rom. x. 14, 15
... For if one were to compare men of this cast to asses ... [1498] "They" "their" ie the
Jews: "these" ie ... Some branches were cut off because of unbelief and Gentile ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii rom x 14.htm

Letter Xl. St. Ambrose Begs Theodosius to Listen to Him, as He ...
... The people of the Jews will set this solemnity amongst ... The instances of his unbelief
ought to be done away ... into the house of the Pharisee, and cast off the Jew ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xl st ambrose begs.htm

John 0. 297222222 "To Whom?"
... is no denying the fact that these Jews who "went ... the shallowest arguments in favour
of unbelief, and a ... The temptation to cast off your first faith and go back ...
/.../chapter xi john 0 297222222 to.htm