The Remnant, the Renewed Life, and the Call to Kingdom Citizenship
- Be God's Glory
- Nov 20
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 323 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These chapters present Paul’s unfolding explanation of God’s plan for Israel, the transformation of believers into living sacrifices, and the Christian’s responsibility to live honorably in a world under authority. Chapter 11 reveals the mystery of Israel’s partial hardening and God’s ongoing faithfulness to preserve a remnant and ultimately bring restoration. Chapter 12 shifts toward practical discipleship, calling believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to embrace a renewed mind that leads to genuine love, service, and humility. Chapter 13 emphasizes submission to governing authorities, paying what is owed, and walking in love as the fulfillment of the law. Together, these chapters form a unified message about God’s faithfulness, the believer’s transformation, and the high calling of living out the gospel publicly and privately.
Romans 11
This chapter addresses the question of whether God has rejected Israel, and Paul answers emphatically that He has not, using himself and the remnant chosen by grace as evidence. Paul explains that Israel’s stumbling opened the door for Gentiles to receive salvation, but this inclusion is meant to stir Israel to jealousy and ultimately lead to their restoration. Using the metaphor of the olive tree, he teaches that Gentile believers are grafted in by faith, but must not become arrogant, recognizing that the root supports them. Paul reveals a mystery—that Israel has experienced a partial hardening until the full number of Gentiles comes in, after which God will bring salvation to Israel. He concludes by praising God’s unfathomable wisdom and His sovereign plan that brings mercy to both Jews and Gentiles.
Romans 12
This chapter begins with Paul urging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices—holy, acceptable to God—describing this as the true and proper form of worship. He calls them not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, enabling them to discern God’s will. Paul then explains how believers are part of one body in Christ, each with different gifts intended for serving one another in humility. He instructs them to display sincere love, reject evil, pursue righteousness, and honor others above themselves. The chapter ends with practical commands about overcoming evil with good, blessing those who persecute them, and pursuing peace and harmony in all relationships.
Romans 13
This chapter teaches believers to submit to governing authorities because God is the One who establishes all authority, and resisting it brings consequences. Paul urges believers to do what is right so they may live with a clear conscience, and to pay taxes, honor, and respect to whom these are owed. He transitions into the higher law of love, explaining that loving one’s neighbor fulfills the entire law because love does no harm. Paul reminds the church of the urgency of the hour, calling them to wake from spiritual sleep because salvation is nearer than when they first believed. He concludes by urging believers to cast off the works of darkness, live honorably, and clothe themselves with Christ rather than feeding the desires of the flesh.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The title “Romans” comes from its intended audience—the believers in the city of Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. The Greek title, Pros Rōmaious (Πρὸς Ῥωμαίους), translates to “To the Romans.” These were primarily Gentile Christians, though the congregation also included Jewish believers who had returned to Rome after being expelled by Emperor Claudius (Acts 18:2). The book’s name reflects the early church’s expansion beyond Jerusalem and Judea into the very heart of the Gentile world—Rome, the center of global influence and power at the time.
Purpose of the Book:
Paul’s purpose in writing Romans was to present a comprehensive explanation of the gospel—God’s plan of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ. It serves as a doctrinal cornerstone for Christian theology, explaining concepts such as justification by faith, sanctification, righteousness, grace, and God’s sovereignty.
Paul wrote this letter to:
Strengthen the Roman believers in their faith and unity (Romans 1:11–12).
Clarify the gospel message, emphasizing that salvation is through faith, not works of the law (Romans 3:28).
Prepare the way for his future visit to Rome and his missionary journey to Spain (Romans 1:10–13; 15:23–24).
Address tension between Jewish and Gentile believers regarding the role of the Law and grace (Romans 2–4, 9–11).
Essentially, Romans is Paul’s systematic presentation of the gospel, showing how God justifies the sinner and transforms lives through faith in Christ alone.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul around A.D. 57, likely from Corinth during his third missionary journey (Acts 20:2–3). Paul dictated the letter to a scribe named Tertius, who mentions himself in Romans 16:22:
“I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.”
Internal Biblical Evidence:
Romans 1:1 – Paul identifies himself as “a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”
Romans 15:15–16 – Paul refers to his ministry to the Gentiles, consistent with his calling described in Acts 9:15.
2 Peter 3:15–16 – Peter refers to Paul’s letters as authoritative Scripture, further validating Paul’s authorship.
Acts 20:2–3 – Correlates with the timeframe when Paul was in Greece, writing to the Roman church.
External Historical Evidence:
Early Christian writers confirm Paul as the author:
Clement of Rome (c. A.D. 96) refers to Paul’s writings to the Romans in his letter to the Corinthians.
Irenaeus (c. A.D. 180) quotes Romans extensively in Against Heresies, attributing it to Paul.
Tertullian (c. A.D. 200) and Origen (c. A.D. 250) both affirm Pauline authorship in their theological works.These early sources align with church tradition, which has consistently recognized Paul as the undisputed author.
Key People:
Paul – The author and apostle to the Gentiles who wrote the letter.
Phoebe – The servant (deaconess) of the church in Cenchreae who delivered the letter to Rome (Romans 16:1–2).
Priscilla and Aquila – Ministry partners of Paul, known for their faith and service (Romans 16:3–5; Acts 18:2).
Abraham – Central Old Testament figure used as an example of justification by faith (Romans 4).
Adam – Represented humanity’s fall into sin (Romans 5:12–19).
Moses – Symbol of the Law and its purpose in revealing sin (Romans 5:13–14; 7:7).
David – Quoted as an example of God’s forgiveness (Romans 4:6–8).
Tertius – Paul’s scribe who wrote down the letter (Romans 16:22).
Various Roman believers – including names like Andronicus, Junia, Rufus, and others in Romans 16, showing Paul’s deep personal connections in the Roman church.
Conclusion
The Book of Romans stands as one of the most profound and systematic explanations of the Christian faith ever written. Paul skillfully reveals humanity’s universal sinfulness, God’s perfect righteousness, and His redemptive plan through faith in Christ alone. It bridges the Old and New Covenants, showing how God’s promises to Israel extend to all nations through the gospel.
Romans teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, and that believers are transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). Its theological depth has shaped Christian doctrine for centuries, inspiring reformers like Martin Luther and John Wesley, who both credited Romans with igniting their understanding of true faith and grace.
In essence, Romans is the gospel explained, faith clarified, and righteousness revealed—a divine letter to the world proclaiming that the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17).
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Romans 11
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as faithful, merciful, and sovereign over salvation history. He keeps His promises to Israel even when they stumble, showing that His covenant love does not fail. God also demonstrates patience, allowing both Jew and Gentile to experience His mercy in His perfect timing. His wisdom is far beyond human understanding, and Paul praises God as the One whose judgments and ways are higher than ours.
No Hebrew names of God are mentioned directly in this chapter, but His nature reflects El Elyon (God Most High) and El Olam (Everlasting God)—the One whose plans span generations. The lesson God teaches is that His mercy is extended to both Jews and Gentiles, and no group is beyond His reach. Believers are warned not to become prideful but to remain humble, recognizing that salvation is rooted in God’s grace alone. God invites us to trust His sovereign plan even when we cannot see the full picture.
Romans 12
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as holy, transformative, and relational. He desires His people to reflect His character by offering themselves fully to Him and allowing their minds to be renewed according to His will. God is generous, giving each believer unique spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ. His character is also loving and compassionate, calling His people to sincere love, humility, and peace.
There are no Hebrew names of God directly mentioned here, but His nature aligns with YHWH Mekaddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You), as He calls believers to a holy and surrendered life. The lesson in this chapter is that worship is not limited to rituals but expressed through daily obedience, humility, and sacrificial love. God shows that a transformed mind leads to transformed behavior, influencing how believers treat others. He calls His people to overcome evil with good and to live in harmony as reflections of His character.
Romans 13
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as righteous, orderly, and just. He establishes authority in the world to maintain order and expects His people to respect the structures He puts in place. God is also a God of love, teaching that the fulfillment of the law is to love one’s neighbor. His character is urgent and purifying, calling believers to live honorably and stay spiritually awake.
This chapter does not include specific Hebrew names of God, but His actions reflect YHWH Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) in how He calls believers to moral integrity. The lesson God teaches is that Christians must live responsibly, honor authority, and let love govern their actions. He warns against spiritual complacency, urging believers to cast off darkness and live in the light of Christ. God calls His people to clothe themselves with Christ and reject anything that feeds the sinful nature.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does God demonstrate His faithfulness in Romans 11 despite Israel’s unbelief?
What does God’s sovereignty in choosing and preserving a remnant reveal about His ultimate authority?
How is God’s mercy displayed toward both Jews and Gentiles throughout these chapters?
In Romans 12, what do God’s instructions about transformation and holy living reveal about His holiness and desire for intimacy with His people?
How does God demonstrate that He values order and justice through His establishment of governing authorities in Romans 13?
What do these chapters collectively reveal about God’s commitment to shaping His people into the image of Christ?
How do God’s righteousness and love work together as He calls believers to fulfill the law through love?
Questions About Themes:
What is the significance of the remnant theme in Romans 11, and how does it connect to God’s larger redemptive plan?
How does Paul use the olive tree metaphor in Romans 11 to teach about unity, humility, and God’s ongoing work with Israel and the Gentiles?
Why is transformation of the mind so central to the theme of Christian living in Romans 12?
How does Romans 12 emphasize the importance of humility, spiritual gifts, and sincere love within the body of Christ?
In what ways does Romans 13 highlight the relationship between Christians and government, and why is this important for public witness?
How does the theme of love as the fulfillment of the law unify the teachings across chapters 12 and 13?
What is the significance of the theme of “living in the light” in Romans 13, especially in relation to the urgency of Christ’s return?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what areas do you need to trust God’s sovereignty more deeply, especially when situations don’t make sense?
Where might pride be hindering your spiritual growth, and how does Romans 11 challenge you to walk in humility?
How can you present your body as a living sacrifice this week in practical, everyday ways?
Which relationships or environments in your life need a renewed mindset so you can respond with love, patience, or humility?
How can you better honor authority—whether at work, home, or in society—in a way that reflects God’s righteousness in Romans 13?
What steps can you take to “put on Christ” and cast off works of darkness, especially in moments of temptation or frustration?
Who is God calling you to love more intentionally, even if it requires sacrifice, forgiveness, or humility?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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