Commentary for (Romans XI, 25-36; Matthew XII, 1-8 )

Oleksandr Zhabenko 🇬🇧
Glory Be to Jesus Christ!
🌞

Since in the works published at the following links:
https://churchandsociety.org.ua/pdf/projects/zbirnyk.pdf
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27112024.html
it is written that the use of prepositions is important for the correct understanding of important and actual issues, in particular the issue of power, I am writing commentaries on the use of these prepositions. As a piece of advice on how to read the text, you can read the verse in translation and/or in the original (if you have the opportunity), and then the commentary on prepositions here. Next, you need to understand which part of the verse the commentary refers to, and consider what it affirms — or less often, denies — that is essential to understanding. This thoughtful reading helps to deepen understanding and protects against the mistakes mentioned above.

Liturgy:
(Romans XI, 25-36)
Romans XI, 25 — 'παρ' ἑαυτοῖς' - 'par heautois' - close to themselves. The preposition 'para' in its form before the following 'he' here with the dative case (in some manuscripts 'en' appears instead) and indicates that it concerns self-assessment, based on one's own criteria and considerations, that is, a purely subjective opinion. 'ἀπὸ μέρους' - 'apo merous' - in part. A common expression.

Romans XI, 26 — 'ἐκ Σιὼν' - 'ek Sion' - from Zion; from Zion. From where. The preposition 'ek' indicates here that Zion symbolises the Coming of Christ. 'ἀπὸ Ἰακώβ' - 'apo Iakob' - from Jacob. The preposition 'apo' indicates here that it concerns complete deliverance from godlessness, impiety, sin.

Romans XI, 32 — 'εἰς ἀπείθειαν' - 'eis apeitheian' - into unbelief; into disobedience. Where to. Again the apostle Paul, following the Old Testament understanding, does not distinguish between God's will and God's permission — God truly allowed people disobedience, unbelief, but where there is no complete faithfulness and responsibility of people, He shows mercy to all. See more at the links and others cited there:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/26062023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27062025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/03072025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/02072025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/01072025.html

Romans XI, 36 — 'ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ δι' αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν τὰ πάντα' - 'ex auton kai di autou kai eis ta panta' - literally: from (from) Him (as Source, Beginning), through Him (as by Power) and to (into) Him (as destination point of movement, as final Goal). At all stages of development and improvement God leads people to good, to blessedness, to Himself. 'εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν' - 'eis tous aionas amen' - forever. Amen. A common expression.

Overall this is a summary of several readings regarding the life of Israel and Christians from former Gentiles.

Paul balances the vision of both regarding themselves and each other.

I will also add that God's gifts and calling — this concerns supernatural gifts and Revelation, not natural gifts. Natural gifts people and nations can receive, can later lose, they can be exhausted or replaced with new ones at a certain period of time, but supernatural gifts — about them Paul says that they are irrevocable, that is, God, giving them, gives not in order to then take away. Yes, people can reject these gifts, but the Lord Himself will not take them away.

As was said earlier, Old Testament people did not distinguish between God's will and God's permission, Paul, quoting them, also does not distinguish. Therefore what God allowed, he describes in terms of shut up.

Further, finally, he shows that it needs to be distinguished — with words about the depths of God's mind and wisdom, but asking questions, does not go further. Most likely, he wants thereby to engage the listeners themselves in active reflections and for them by the action of the Holy Spirit to come to discernment gradually, as they grow in Christ.

More about the reading from the Apostle see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/26062025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27062025.html
https://churchandsociety.org.ua/pdf/projects/zbirnyk.pdf
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/30062023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/19072024.html

(Matthew XII, 1-8 )
Matthew XII, 1 — 'Ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ' - 'en ekeino to kairo' - at that time; of that time. When. A common expression.

Matthew XII, 2 — 'ἐν σαββάτῳ' - 'en sabbato' - on sabbath. When.

Matthew XII, 4 — 'εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ θεοῦ' - 'eis ton oikon tou theou' - into the house of God. Where to.

Matthew XII, 5 — 'ἐν τῷ νόμῳ' - 'en to nomo' - in the Law (of Moses, God's). Where. 'ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ' - 'en to hiero' - in the temple. Where.

The key to understanding in this passage — Matthew XII, 7 — quotation from the prophet Hosea VI, 6: For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. These very words show what the Lord wants us to do on sabbath (Sunday, the Lord's Day, on holidays, if more generally).

Mercy and knowledge of God.

The priests are innocent, because they perform service, and this is both one and the other; David was not guilty, because through this God's goodwill towards him was revealed; the apostles are not guilty, because they witness thereby that they are with the Lord Jesus Christ. One can continue this list further, particularly regarding the Jews themselves and their gatherings in synagogues on sabbaths.

Also these words have a more general sense — for good there is always good time. That is, for true good time is not an obstacle.

More about the reading from the Gospel see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/30062023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/19072024.html
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5kr6Misfmu/

Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!