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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 11:35 mean?

Explanation

Romans 11:35 is a rhetorical question posed by the Apostle Paul to emphasize God's sovereignty and the unpayable debt humanity owes to God.

The verse suggests that nothing we have or give to God originates from us; instead, everything is a gift from God.

It is a direct quote from the Old Testament, specifically from Job 41:11, reminding readers that God is self-sufficient and we can't lay claim to giving Him anything that wasn't first given to us.

The "deeper meaning" here is that salvation and grace cannot be earned but are freely given by God out of His mercy and love.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Paul wrote the Book of Romans to a diverse community of Jews and Gentiles in Rome during the first century.

This was a time when the early church was grappling with understanding the inclusivity of the gospel and the relationship between the law, grace, and human works.

In Romans 11, Paul is emphasizing the point that both Jews and Gentiles are dependent on God's mercy, and he uses the Old Testament to illustrate his point, making his message more palatable to his Jewish readers.

Theological Insights

This verse has been interpreted from various theological perspectives:

Calvinist Perspective

Calvinists might see this verse as supporting the doctrine of the total depravity and inability of humans to contribute to their salvation. It underscores the grace of God as entirely unmerited.

Arminian Perspective

Arminians would agree that nothing can be given to God that earns salvation; however, they might emphasize free will in accepting the grace of God.

Catholic Perspective

The Catholic interpretation could focus on the gratuitous nature of grace and reinforce the teaching that good works, while necessary for salvation, originate from God's initial grace.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Romans 11:35 can serve as a reminder to believers to approach God with humility, recognizing that all they have is from Him.

It encourages an attitude of gratitude and a focus on God's grace rather than personal achievements.

It also may inspire generosity, as individuals realize that they are merely stewards, not owners, of what they possess.

Cross-References

Job 41:11 - "Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine."
1 Corinthians 4:7 - "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?"
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

"Given" (Greek: προέδωκεν, proedōken) - This term carries the notion of giving or offering in advance, suggesting that we have no prior claim than God's provision.
"Recompensed" (Greek: ἀνταποδοθήσεται, antapodothēsetai) - This word means to pay back or recompense, implying a transactional aspect where something given would be returned.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient myths and religions, humans often tried to appease or repay deities through offerings or sacrifices.

However, Paul's message contradicts this notion by stating that God is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything (Acts 17:25).

Scientific Perspectives

Romans 11:35 is a theological statement rather than a scientific one. Science primarily deals with the natural world, not the dimensions of grace and divine self-sufficiency.

Therefore, this verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer different insights on Romans 11:35:

Matthew Henry's Commentary points out the sheer impossibility of anyone making God their debtor, emphasizing God's independence.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible interprets this passage as showing that it is impossible for God to be indebted to anyone, and that all the services of men are due to him.
The Expositor's Greek Testament highlights the passage's reference to Job 41:11, noting its use to illustrate the principle of God’s grace being a gift, not something repaid.
The New International Commentary on the New Testament suggests that Paul's question indicates that the very idea of giving to God in a way that obligates him is absurd, and that everything exists by his will and for his purposes.

Romans 11

Romans 11

What does Romans 11:35 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Calvinist Perspective

Arminian Perspective

Catholic Perspective

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 11:35 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Calvinist Perspective

Arminian Perspective

Catholic Perspective

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?