Among Christians who originated from pagan backgrounds, the belief likely circulated that God had rejected the Jews. Paul addresses this rumor with a question and responds emphatically, “By no means!” (1). He then demonstrates this by consulting the Word of God in the Scriptures. The Apostle’s mastery of the Bible is impressive. Even more remarkable is his ability to understand all events—big and small, individual and collective, personal and external—through the lens of the Word of God. Since his conversion on the road to Damascus, that lens has always reflected “a single color”: the bright color of salvation extended to both Jews and pagans. Ultimately, the Apostle appears to be contemplating how all the pieces of the Creator Potter come together, fitting perfectly to form his grand plan of universal salvation.
