csuguy
Well-known member
I made no mistake. He is talking of Israel as a country. Israel is the olive tree. You can not reconcile your statement with Paul's claims which are from the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
You don't understand Paul because you only listen to bits and pieces of what he says - ignoring the parts you don't like. Like the fact that Israel is only partially hardened.
Furthermore, Paul explains in Romans 2 that one is not a Jew simply because one is circumcised. Rather, even one who is uncircumcised is a Jew if his/her heart is circumcised. For Paul there is a distinction between the true, spritual Israel and the mere physical Israel.
Romans 2:25-29 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice [v]the Law; but if you are a transgressor [w]of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if the [x]uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who [y]though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor [z]of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.