Was Paul...a Jew? an Israelite? or a Gentile?
Pastor Richard Kirsch

In Philippians 3:5, Paul recorded his genealogy as being "of the stock of ISRAEL", even though he also referred to himself as being "of the tribe of Benjamin" (formerly associated with JUDAH)! Why did he not call himself a JEW of the tribe of Benjamin?

Judah: A tribe and a Kingdom
To answer this question we need to return to the Old Scriptures at the time when Israel was divided as a nation. In 1 Kings we read that God rent the kingdom of Israel from Solomon. 1 Kings 11:13; 12:21; and 2 Chronicles 11:12,23 state that at that time God gave one tribe (i.e. Benjamin) to Judah for a light in Jerusalem. For Jerusalem's borders lie within the tribe of Benjamin's allotment, not Judah's! We see then that Judah and Benjamin were the only two tribes comprising the Southern Kingdom of JUDAH. Later on in 2 Kings 16:6, the King James translators chose to introduce the word "Jews" as an alternative name for Judahites. Thus Judahites and Jews are synonymous names, as Strong's Concordance will verify.

The New Covenant Is Not To Jews Only
With this historical background in mind, let us return to the question at hand. Why did Paul refer to himself as an Israelite instead of a Judahite or Jew? The answer can be found in the New Covenant Scriptures of Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:8-13. Since both these excerpts from Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8 are essentially the same, let us focus on the first reference in Jeremiah. At the time Jeremiah was declaring this prophecy (c. 600 B.C.), 10 tribed Israel was in captivity, and 2 tribed Judah was in the process of going into captivity. In the midst of such hopelessness, God sent the prophet Jeremiah to instill hope because of a NEW COVENANT that would graciously affect their future! In verse 31 notice that the New Covenant was to be not only with Judah but with Judah AND Israel! However when this New Covenant is mentioned again in verse 33, ONLY Israel is named! This was not merely an oversight on Jeremiah's part. Neither is this an error in translation. Such an omission of Judah's name is absolutely inspired. For under the New Covenant, Judah and Israel would no longer be divided (let alone be in captivity)! Read Ezekiel 37:16-22-28; Isaiah 11:10-12-13; and Ephesians 2:11-14-22. And so under the New Covenant, Paul could still identify himself with the tribe of Benjamin, but not with the Kingdom Of Judah. For the New Covenant is God's means for reuniting Judah and Israel once again into one kingdom-ISRAEL. (EZK 37:1-28 and Hosea 1:11). Christ's entire purpose was to set the "captives" (physical and spiritual) free.....See Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18. Being set free by Christ, Paul no longer related himself with Judah (Jews), but with Israel! Unconverted Saul associated himself with Jewish nation (Acts 26:1-5). But under the New Covenant, the "new Saul" (i.e. Paul) associated himself with the kingdom regathered, undivided, reunited Israel (Acts 26:6-7; Romans 11:1; and Philippians 3:5). Contrary to modern tradition, the names Jews and Israelites are not synonymous!
And so under the New Covenant, Paul could still identify himself with the tribe of Benjamin, but not with the Kingdom Of Judah. For the New Covenant is God's means for reuniting Judah and Israel once again into one kingdom-ISRAEL. (EZK 37:1-28 and Hosea 1:11). Christ's entire purpose was to set the "captives" (physical and spirtual) free.....See Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18. Being set free by Christ, Paul no longer related himself with Judah (Jews), but with Israel! Uncoverted Saul associated himself with Jewish nation (Acts 26:1-5). But under the New Covenant, the "new Saul" (i.e. Paul) associated himself with the kindgom regathered, undivided, reunited Israel (Acts 26:6-7; Romans 11:1; and Philippians 3:5). Contrary to modern tradition, the names Jews and Israelites are not synonomous!

Pauls Burden: Israel or the Gentiles?
Understanding that Paul identified himself with 12-tribed Israel, and not 2 tribed Judah, it is very enlightening to study his ministry. What people were heavy upon Paul's heart? Romans 9:1-4 reveals that they were "my brethren, my kinsman according to the flesh- who are ISRAELITES." Perhaps this seems quite natural in that we just learned Paul's identity with Israel. However when one reads in Romans 15:16; Galatians 2:7-8; and Acts 13:44-48 that Paul's "main ministry" was to the GENTILES, he wonders what happened to Paul's heavy burden for his own kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites!!! One might also wonder why Paul would even consider the Gentiles, since the New Covenant was made initially to Judah and Israel, not Gentiles. The solution to this seemingly strange behavior of Paul may be found by studying Romans 11:13-14..."For I speak unto you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8), I magnify mine office; if by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some." Here Paul is identifying the Gentiles as them which are his own flesh (i.e. Racial Israelites who have been excommunicated from God's promise by divorce...See Romans 9:6 Galatians 3:29 and Hosea 1:10).

A Vital Question Over 25 Centuries Old
In Romans 11:1 Paul asked a vital question that was at stake in Jeremiah's day (Jeremiah 33:23-26) as well as in his own day, and is still being asked in our present day: "Hath God cast away His people?" The inference, of course, is... "Hath God cast them off FOR EVER?" But first of all, who were "His People" that are referred to here as being "cast off" (i.e. dissolved as a nation and taken into captivity...Jeremiah 33:24-26; 7:14-15; 2 Kings 17:18-20). Certainly not Judah alone! By and large, there has been very little question whether or not God would return to deliver Judah. But the critical issue has always been regarding the outcome of 10-tribed Israel!!! Before considering this question, however, let us ask two other questions related to it. First, why has the question of Romans 11:1 been so entertained by men for over 25 centuries now? And secondly, why is this question in Romans 11:1 so important to answer?

Why is Romans 11:1 Continually Asked?
Regarding the first question, it has been asked for over 25 centuries no doubt due to the fact of 10-tribed Israel's past record of wickedness (not one good king!) And who do you suppose keeps reminding men about the 10-tribes wicked past? Judah, of course! Note the enmity between Judah and Israel in 1 Kings 14:30; Isaiah 11:13; and Ephesians 2:13-16. But notice God's perspective from Jeremiah 3:11..."Backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah!" Indeed, "God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon ALL" (Romans 11:32 + 26).

Why Is This Lingering Question in Romans 11:1 So Vital?
Why is this question regarding "Israel being cast off FOR EVER" so important? First it is important because God's Word is at stake! The covenant He made with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 was unconditional and it was passed down from Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob, and finally to Joseph through his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. As 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 reminds us, "Out of Judah came the chief ruler (i.e. Christ), but the birthright was Joseph's!" This is vital to realize since Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) was the chief tribe among 10-tribed Israel (Note Jeremiah 31:9 and Hosea 11:8.)! Thus if 10-tribed Israel had been cast off FOREVER, then God had broken His unconditional covenant. However, as Romans 4:16_18 reminds us, the promise was "sure to ALL the seed" of Abraham (both the circumcision/Judah, and the uncircumcision/10-tribed Israel...Romans 4:9:15) because of Abraham's faith, not his works. That is, the promise (covenant) was Unconditional upon Abraham and his seed's own works!

God's Answer To Romans 11:1
The answer to the question in Romans 11:1 then determines God's faithfulness regarding this unconditional covenant. Furthermore, besides having His Word at stake, God's love, mercy, and forgiveness are also at stake. How great is God's love, mercy, and forgiveness? Does He love the sinner, or only the righteous? Is God's love conditional or unconditional? Jesus referred to this very thing in Mt 9:13 because the Jews believed God was coming back only for them since they were not sinners (so they thought). We see then that the question in Romans 11:1 is regarding God's faithfulness, love, mercy, and forgiveness towards ALL Israel, including 10-tribed Israel!!! This issue of God's character is vital in that it either increases or limits our worship of Him. For when we see Him as He is (i.e. faithful, loving, forgiving, etc.) we will worship Him as we ought. And if do not worship Him as we ought, it is because we do not see Him as He is! Having established what is at stake in Romans 11:1, notice God's resounding reply: "GOD FORBID!" continuing on, notice that Paul did not say, "for I also am a Jew etc." Rather he writes, "For I also am an ISRAELITE ETC." the question at stake then is obviously not over Judah being cast off for ever, but ALL Israel! Verse 2 adds that "God hath not cast away (for ever) His people." Acts 26:1-7 and James 1:1 provide additional evidence that all 12 tribes, not only 2-tribed Judah, are being reckoned with by God under the New Covenant.

Is This Matter of Jews, Israelites, & Gentiles an Issue of Racial Prejudice?
Finally, why is this subject of Paul being an Israelite or a Jew, and the issue concerning the identity of the Gentiles, so vital? Is it simply an issue over racial prejudice? NO! Paul's identity and the Gentile's identity is important because of God's character being at stake! Is He "the same yesterday, today, and forever", or does He change? "I am the LORD.. I change not. Therefore ye sons of JACOB (not Judah only) are not consumed" (Malachi 3:6). "/For what if some (i.e. 10 tribed Israel) did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? GOD FORBID! Yea, LET GOD BE TRUE (He does not change or go back on His unconditional promise), but EVERY man (i.e. Judah and Israel, Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10,23; and 11:32) a liar" (Romans 3:3-4) This study is important then because it vindicates God's faithfulness, truthfulness, dependability, love, mercy, forgiveness, etc. It glorifies God (not man through racial prejudice) by revealing the fulfillment of His promises! Furthermore, this subject illustrates the significance of the New Covenant by revealing the bridge between Israel's hopelessness under the Old Covenant (Law), and their victory under the New Covenant (Grace)