Section 7
What a case Paul presents, and what an attorney he was! No one can defeat him. Everyone must submit to him. In 11:12 Paul says, "Now if their false step is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the nations; how much more will their fullness be?" The false step made by Israel has become the riches of the world and their loss the riches of the nations. Who other than Paul is capable of arguing in this way?
In 11:13 Paul says that he magnifies his min istry among the nations. "For I speak to you, the nations. Since I am indeed an apostle of the na tions, I glorify my ministry, if somehow I may provoke those of my flesh to jealousy and save some of them." Although Paul was glorifying his ministry among the nations, he was actually debating for Israel.
We need to read verse 15 carefully. "For if their casting aside is the reconciliation of the world, what will be their receiving back but life from among the dead?" Please notice that Paul did not say "casting away." To cast away is one thing; to cast aside is another. In 11:1 Paul asks, "Has God cast away His people?" Paul answered the question himself saying, "Certainly not!" Hence, there is a significant difference between being cast away and being cast aside. To be cast