14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.
14 if [since] by any means
Paul hoped to reach Jews by means of his ministry to the Gentiles
I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh [Jews]
One purpose of Paul’s glorification of his ministry to the Gentiles was to stimulate Jews to come to the Messiah.
and save some of them [Jews].
Paul’s purpose for Israel was to “save some of them.” Jews that came to Jesus the Messiah out of the nation of Israel would be a part of the remnant of grace.
PRINCIPLE:
Evangelism of Jews is a priority in God’s economy.
APPLICATION:
Believers need to hold in high regard their mission on earth. God has not called us to mow the lawn or to make daisy chains. Our calling is to glorify God by reaching people for Christ.
One purpose is to bring Jews to Jesus the Messiah. There is little in present-day Christianity that is appealing to the Jew. The reason for this is that we do not approach Jews on their approachable side. Paul won Jews by starting from where they were:
1 Co 9:21-23, 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
