Matthew Henry Commentary Romans 11:22-32

"Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God`s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural [branches], be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: And this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins. As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers` sake. For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of. For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all." — Romans 11:22-32 (ASV)

Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the most severe; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the natural order of things, considerably less unlikely than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham. And though others now possess these privileges, it will not prevent them from being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews had become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious forefathers.

Though at present they are enemies to the gospel because of their hatred for the Gentiles; yet, when God's appointed time arrives, that hatred will no longer exist, and God's love for their forefathers will be remembered. True grace does not seek to confine God's favor. Those who find mercy themselves should endeavor that, through the mercy they have received, others also may obtain mercy.

It is not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, temple, and ceremonies again; an end has been put to all these. Instead, they are to be brought to believe in Christ, and truly become one sheepfold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church are emblems of the believer's corrections for wrongdoing. And the Lord's continued care for that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.