11:9,10
Paul now cites Ps 69:22,23. The stubborn adherence to trying to achieve righteousness would become “a snare and a trap” to the Jews, a stumbling block. It seems a good thing to man to try and earn our salvation, to seek to become worthy of it, but this is actually rebellion against God. We were created by the Lord, we did not choose to come into existence, this was entirely down to God. To think we can live without God is the height of foolishness. This way will never lead to righteousness. Moreover, it ignores the fact of our inherent sinfulness, our fallen nature. There is nothing admirable in seeking righteousness by our own efforts.
11:11
So far Paul has been emphasising the failure of Israel, but that is not the end of the story. God has made numerous promises to Israel, and these are not now null and void. But God’s plans were greater than anything Israel imagined. Israel is not lost forever. First, as a result of their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles. And part of the purpose of this was to make Israel jealous. They would see that the Gentiles were receiving salvation and they were not. At present we see that they are jealous, but for the most part it has produced only resentment. We should also note that Israel and Gentiles here are used as referring to groups. Many Israelites and many Gentiles are not saved, but salvation is open to all who believe, Jew or Gentile.
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