I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11 stands as a powerful conclusion to Paul's profound exploration of God's plan for Israel, which began in Romans 9 and continued through Romans 10. In these chapters, Paul grapples with a challenging question: What is the fate of Israel, God's chosen people, given their widespread rejection of Jesus as the Messiah? This chapter offers both reassurance and a warning, revealing the intricate tapestry of God's sovereignty, mercy, and unwavering faithfulness.
God's Unbreakable Promises: A Remnant Remains
Paul confronts the idea that God might have rejected Israel due to their disobedience. He emphatically denies this, asking, "Has God rejected his people?" (Romans 11:1). His immediate answer is a resounding "By no means!" Paul himself is living proof of God's continued faithfulness. As an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, he embodies the possibility of Jewish people embracing the gospel.
Paul introduces the concept of a "remnant," a faithful subset within Israel chosen by grace (Romans 11:5). This idea echoes throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Kings 19:14-18, where God reminds Elijah that even during times of widespread apostasy, He has preserved a remnant of 7,000 who have not bowed down to Baal. This remnant is not based on works but on God's gracious election (Romans 11:6; cf. Romans 4:4-6). It demonstrates that God's promises to Israel have not been cancelled simply because the majority is disobedient. God's grace toward Paul illustrates the kind of compassion God will show to Israel as a whole.
Hardening and Grafting: God's Mysterious Ways
What about the rest of Israel, those who have stumbled over the "stumbling stone" of Jesus? Paul reveals a startling truth: God has, for a time, hardened their hearts (Romans 11:7-10). Just as Pharaoh's heart was hardened because he rejected God's command (Romans 9:17-18), Israel's heart was hardened because they rejected God's Son. This hardening, however, is not permanent or absolute. God has a purpose in it.
Paul explains that Israel's stumbling has opened the door for salvation to reach the Gentiles (Romans 11:11). The Gentiles who come to faith in Christ are like wild olive branches grafted onto the cultivated olive tree of God's people (Romans 11:17-24). The unbelieving Jewish branches have been temporarily broken off to make room for these new additions.
A Word of Caution: Humility for Gentile Believers
Paul issues a strong warning to Gentile Christians: Do not become arrogant (Romans 11:20). They must not boast that they are better than the original branches, the nation of Israel (Romans 11:18). After all, Israel was cut off because of unbelief (Romans 11:20), and God may just as readily cut off Gentile branches as Israelite ones (Romans 11:21). All who remain grafted into God’s tree of salvation stand by faith (Romans 11:20), and faith cannot coexist with arrogant pride.
Gentile believers should remember that they are dependent on the root that supports them, the rich heritage of faith rooted in God's promises to Abraham and the patriarchs. The time is coming when God will remove the hardening from the unbelieving Jews, and they will be grafted back onto their own olive tree. God is not finished with Israel.
The Future Restoration of Israel: A Promise Fulfilled
Paul unveils a glorious future for Israel: "a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26). This doesn't necessarily mean every single Jew will be saved, but rather that a national turning to Christ will occur.
When Christ returns, the failure of Israel will be reversed to their fullness (Romans 11:12) because they will believe on Jesus as their Messiah. Not only will this reversal lead to the salvation of Israel, but it will lead to riches for the world (Romans 11:12) and life from the dead (Romans 11:15). God’s salvation has always been tied to Israel; so if their stumbling brought salvation to the rest of the world, how much more will their strengthening!
God’s election of Israel makes them beloved of God (Romans 11:28). God can be depended on to keep his gracious gifts and calling (Romans 11:29) to them, even though they’ve been set aside for a time. Election, then, is the selection of a people through whom God would fulfill his kingdom purpose and program. It is not an election to individual, eternal salvation.
God's Unsearchable Wisdom: A Hymn of Praise
Paul concludes this section with a breathtaking hymn of praise, overwhelmed by the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33-36). He exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33).
No one can fathom God's thoughts or give Him anything that He doesn't already possess. Everything comes from Him, exists through Him, and returns to Him. Paul's exclamation of "glory" to God signifies that God is the weightiest, deepest being in the universe. His glory is unmatched: no one can even outline his actions (Romans 11:33); no one can get inside his head to know what he’s thinking (Romans 11:34); no one can offer something to God that puts him in their debt (Romans 11:35). His glory is beyond comprehension.
Paul ends with a resounding "Amen" (Romans 11:36), affirming that God's glory is complete and needs no addition. "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
Romans 11 offers a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, His intricate plan for both Jews and Gentiles, and the unfathomable depths of His wisdom and mercy. It calls us to humility, gratitude, and awe in the face of a God whose ways are beyond our full understanding.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11 stands as a powerful conclusion to Paul's profound exploration of God's plan for Israel, which began in Romans 9 and continued through Romans 10. In these chapters, Paul grapples with a challenging question: What is the fate of Israel, God's chosen people, given their widespread rejection of Jesus as the Messiah? This chapter offers both reassurance and a warning, revealing the intricate tapestry of God's sovereignty, mercy, and unwavering faithfulness.
God's Unbreakable Promises: A Remnant Remains
Paul confronts the idea that God might have rejected Israel due to their disobedience. He emphatically denies this, asking, "Has God rejected his people?" (Romans 11:1). His immediate answer is a resounding "By no means!" Paul himself is living proof of God's continued faithfulness. As an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, he embodies the possibility of Jewish people embracing the gospel.
Paul introduces the concept of a "remnant," a faithful subset within Israel chosen by grace (Romans 11:5). This idea echoes throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Kings 19:14-18, where God reminds Elijah that even during times of widespread apostasy, He has preserved a remnant of 7,000 who have not bowed down to Baal. This remnant is not based on works but on God's gracious election (Romans 11:6; cf. Romans 4:4-6). It demonstrates that God's promises to Israel have not been cancelled simply because the majority is disobedient. God's grace toward Paul illustrates the kind of compassion God will show to Israel as a whole.
Hardening and Grafting: God's Mysterious Ways
What about the rest of Israel, those who have stumbled over the "stumbling stone" of Jesus? Paul reveals a startling truth: God has, for a time, hardened their hearts (Romans 11:7-10). Just as Pharaoh's heart was hardened because he rejected God's command (Romans 9:17-18), Israel's heart was hardened because they rejected God's Son. This hardening, however, is not permanent or absolute. God has a purpose in it.
Paul explains that Israel's stumbling has opened the door for salvation to reach the Gentiles (Romans 11:11). The Gentiles who come to faith in Christ are like wild olive branches grafted onto the cultivated olive tree of God's people (Romans 11:17-24). The unbelieving Jewish branches have been temporarily broken off to make room for these new additions.
A Word of Caution: Humility for Gentile Believers
Paul issues a strong warning to Gentile Christians: Do not become arrogant (Romans 11:20). They must not boast that they are better than the original branches, the nation of Israel (Romans 11:18). After all, Israel was cut off because of unbelief (Romans 11:20), and God may just as readily cut off Gentile branches as Israelite ones (Romans 11:21). All who remain grafted into God’s tree of salvation stand by faith (Romans 11:20), and faith cannot coexist with arrogant pride.
Gentile believers should remember that they are dependent on the root that supports them, the rich heritage of faith rooted in God's promises to Abraham and the patriarchs. The time is coming when God will remove the hardening from the unbelieving Jews, and they will be grafted back onto their own olive tree. God is not finished with Israel.
The Future Restoration of Israel: A Promise Fulfilled
Paul unveils a glorious future for Israel: "a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26). This doesn't necessarily mean every single Jew will be saved, but rather that a national turning to Christ will occur.
When Christ returns, the failure of Israel will be reversed to their fullness (Romans 11:12) because they will believe on Jesus as their Messiah. Not only will this reversal lead to the salvation of Israel, but it will lead to riches for the world (Romans 11:12) and life from the dead (Romans 11:15). God’s salvation has always been tied to Israel; so if their stumbling brought salvation to the rest of the world, how much more will their strengthening!
God’s election of Israel makes them beloved of God (Romans 11:28). God can be depended on to keep his gracious gifts and calling (Romans 11:29) to them, even though they’ve been set aside for a time. Election, then, is the selection of a people through whom God would fulfill his kingdom purpose and program. It is not an election to individual, eternal salvation.
God's Unsearchable Wisdom: A Hymn of Praise
Paul concludes this section with a breathtaking hymn of praise, overwhelmed by the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33-36). He exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33).
No one can fathom God's thoughts or give Him anything that He doesn't already possess. Everything comes from Him, exists through Him, and returns to Him. Paul's exclamation of "glory" to God signifies that God is the weightiest, deepest being in the universe. His glory is unmatched: no one can even outline his actions (Romans 11:33); no one can get inside his head to know what he’s thinking (Romans 11:34); no one can offer something to God that puts him in their debt (Romans 11:35). His glory is beyond comprehension.
Paul ends with a resounding "Amen" (Romans 11:36), affirming that God's glory is complete and needs no addition. "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
Romans 11 offers a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, His intricate plan for both Jews and Gentiles, and the unfathomable depths of His wisdom and mercy. It calls us to humility, gratitude, and awe in the face of a God whose ways are beyond our full understanding.