Romans 11:25-36

²⁵ Because I do not want you to be badly informed about this obscure truth, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. ²⁷ And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” ²⁸ In regard to the gospel they are presently enemies on your account, but in regard to election they are dearly loved on account of the fathers. ²⁹ Because the gifts and the call of God are irreversible. ³⁰ Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience, ³¹ so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. ³² For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. ³³ Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! ³⁴ Because who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? ³⁵ Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? ³⁶ Because from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.

presently enemies but dearly loved

Paul describes the condition of unbelieving Israelites with a kind of double vision—one lens showing their present hostility to the gospel, the other revealing God’s enduring affection for them. On the one hand, they stood as enemies because they had rejected both Christ and His church. Their opposition was real, painful, and often violent. Yet on the other hand, they remained deeply loved by the Father because of His covenantal devotion to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The promises made to the patriarchs had not expired. God’s affection for their descendants had not cooled. Their unbelief was serious, but it was not final.

Because of this, Paul refused to treat them as a lost cause. The Father had not abandoned them, so the church must not abandon them either. The same love that once chose their ancestors still reached toward them, and Paul was convinced that this divine love would one day bring about a national turning. Their present rejection was not the end of the story. God’s covenant faithfulness would have the last word.

This pattern extends far beyond Israel. All around us are people who share the same spiritual condition—presently enemies of the gospel, not only rejecting it but sometimes actively resisting its spread. Their hostility can be discouraging, even frightening. Yet Scripture insists that God loves them. He desires their salvation. He sustains their lives, grants them breath, and sends His messengers into their midst. The image Jesus used is striking: sheep sent among wolves. But the mission is grounded in God’s heart. He loves the wolves. His grace can transform them into sheep.

This means that believers must hold two truths together. First, wisdom and caution are necessary. The world is not friendly to the gospel, and those who carry it must be discerning. But second, confidence in God’s transforming grace must remain strong. The One who sends His people into hostile places is the same One who can turn enemies into friends, persecutors into preachers, and rebels into worshipers. Paul himself was living proof.

The mission continues because God’s love continues. The hostility of unbelievers does not cancel His compassion. It only highlights the miracle of grace when hearts are changed.

LORD, send us to those you love, even if they do not presently love us.