So far in chapters 9–11 Paul has advanced his argument with care and deliberation. He has shown that from all peoples on earth God separated one people to receive his promise by faith. When the chosen people refused to believe and held fast to righteousness by law, God extended the promise to the Gentiles who received it by faith. But Israel’s rejection of God did not force God to a countermove of rejecting Israel. “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable,” says Paul (v. 29). From unbelieving Israel God produced a remnant of faith, and this remnant became a firstfruits of the salvation of Israel as a whole. The inclusion of Gentiles in salvation would arouse hardened Israel to faith, “and so all Israel will be saved” (v. 26).

That final triumph of Israel’s salvation is celebrated in 11:2…