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Romans 11

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 stumbling block, 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 counseller?

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.

What does Romans 11:2 mean?

Explanation

Romans 11:2 is part of the Apostle Paul’s discourse on the relationship between Israel and the Gentile believers in Christ.

In this verse, Paul is asserting that God has not rejected His chosen people, Israel, despite their national rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

The phrase "which he foreknew" refers to God's omniscience and His divine plans and promises concerning Israel, made through the covenants with their forefathers such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The second part of the verse mentions Elijah ("Elias" is the Greek form of Elijah) and references an incident from the Old Testament where Elijah felt he was the only one left in Israel who was faithful to God.

He interceded with God, essentially complaining about Israel’s apostasy.

By using this reference, Paul illustrates that even though it seemed as if Israel had completely turned away from God, He had preserved a remnant of the faithful, highlighting God's enduring faithfulness and mercy toward His people.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Romans was written by Paul in the first century A.D., a time when the early Christian church was grappling with its identity and relationship to Judaism.

Many Jews had rejected the message of Jesus as the Messiah, and there was tension regarding the place of Gentile believers within God’s plan. Paul, himself a Jew and a former Pharisee, addresses these concerns by discussing God’s sovereignty in salvation and His ongoing purposes for Israel.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret this verse variously:

Replacement Theology: Some argue that the Church has replaced Israel in God's covenantal framework.

However, Romans 11:2 opposes this view by indicating God's continued commitment to Israel.

Remnant Theology: This view holds that within the larger community of Israel, there has always been a faithful remnant chosen by grace.

This aligns with Paul's assertion.

Dispensationalism: This framework suggests distinct administrative periods in God's plan, including a future time when Israel as a nation will turn to God.

Practical Applications

Romans 11:2 can provide hope and assurance that God is faithful to His promises and does not reject His people when they falter. Believers can take comfort in understanding that in their own lives, when they feel isolated in faith, they are never entirely alone.

Furthermore, the verse encourages believers to pray for their communities and nations with hope rather than despair.

Cross-References

1 Kings 19:10,14: Elijah's complaint to God.
Romans 11:5: The concept of a remnant according to grace.
Jeremiah 31:37: God's enduring commitment to Israel.

Language Study

Key words in the original language include:

"Apoōtoi": Translated as "cast away," from the Greek verb, suggesting rejection or dismissal.
"Proegnō": "Foreknew," referring to God's foreknowledge.
"Entugchanō": Translated as "makes intercession," it is often used to mean "to plead or appeal to."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Elijah's intercession can be compared to the role of prophets in other ancient cultures, who would often intercede with deities on behalf of the people.

However, Elijah’s situation is distinctive because he complains about Israel’s unfaithfulness, not merely seeking favor or intervention.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly intersect with modern scientific understandings, as it primarily addresses theological and historical concerns rather than empirical observations.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer various insights into Romans 11:2:

Some underscore the sovereignty of God in maintaining a relationship with Israel.
Others emphasize the consistency of God’s character, as He remains faithful to His covenantal promises.
Commentators also discuss Paul's use of the Elijah narrative to illustrate that appearances are not always reality, demonstrating the divine perspective.

Romans 11

Romans 11

What does Romans 11:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 11:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?