Rom Romans, chapter Epistle to the Romans, chapter 11
A Remnant Chosen by Grace
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 1Sa 12:22; 2Co 11:22; Php 3:5God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel, saying,11:2 CT does not include saying. “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well ”11:3 1 Kings 19:10, 14?1Ki 19:14
And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”11:4 1 Kings 19:181Ki 19:18
In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. But if it is by works, then it is no longer by grace. Otherwise, work would no longer be work.11:6 CT does not include But if it is by works, then it is no longer by grace. Otherwise, work would no longer be work.Deu 9:4; Rom 4:5; Gal 5:4
What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see,
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”11:8 See Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 29:10.Deu 29:4; Isa 29:10; Isa 6:9; Mat 13:14; Mrk 4:12; Luk 8:10; Jhn 12:40
And David says:
“May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.”11:10 Psalm 69:22–23 (see also LXX)Psa 69:22
The Ingrafting of the Gentiles
I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?11:11 Or did they stumble so as to lose their share? Literally did they stumble that they might fall? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. Act 13:47; Rom 10:19But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them. 1Co 9:22For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 2Co 5:19If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, Jer 11:16; Eph 2:12do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.Isa 66:2; Rom 12:16
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not11:21 Or He will perhaps not; SBL, NE, and WH He will not spare you either.
Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Jhn 15:2And if they also do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
All Israel Will Be Saved
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. Luk 21:24And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come from Zion;
He will remove godlessness from Jacob.
And this is My covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”11:27 Isaiah 27:9 and Isaiah 59:20–21; see also LXX.Isa 27:9; Isa 59:20; Jer 31:31; Heb 8:10
Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.Num 23:19
For just as you who formerly disobeyed God have now received mercy through their11:30 Or as a result of disobedience, Tit 3:5so they too have now disobeyed, in order that they too may receive mercy through the mercy shown to you.11:31 Literally may receive mercy through your mercy; CT may now receive mercy through the mercy shown to you. For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.Rom 3:9; Gal 3:22
A Hymn of Praise
O, the depth of the riches
of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments,
and untraceable His ways!Job 9:10; Job 36:23
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?”11:34 Isaiah 40:13 (see also LXX)Isa 40:13; Jer 23:18; 1Co 2:16
“Who has first given to God,
that God should repay him?”11:35 Job 41:11Job 35:7
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.