Mercy Widened to the Nations

…sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). So Paul does not speak falsely when he says that Christ became a servant from the circumcision to confirm the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15:8), and that besides this He was appointed by God the Father for mercy also to those from the nations, so that they too might glorify the Saviour and Redeemer as the Maker and Craftsman of all things (Romans 15:9).

For it was needful, truly needful, since the circumcision in its great disobedience insulted Him wickedly and would not accept the redemption He gave, that the unspeakable grace of God should not seem to have achieved nothing, when those from Israel who had believed and been saved were few, a bare handful. For this reason, as the calm that comes from above was spread wide, as it were, over all, the nations were received. And the mystery of the wisdom that is in Christ is seen not to have missed its aim, an aim set on kindness. For in place of those who had slipped, the whole world under heaven has been saved, because God had compassion.

And that the mystery had been proclaimed beforehand by the voice of holy men who foreknew in the Spirit what was to come, he establishes by setting out the prophecies most plainly (Romans 15:9–12).