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Romans 11

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1I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God didn’t reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: 3“Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.” 4But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 7What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened. 8According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.” 9David says, “Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, a stumbling block, and a retribution to them. 10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Bow down their back always.” 11I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. 12Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? 13For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; 14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them. 15For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead? 16If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches. 17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree; 18don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.” 20True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear; 21for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23They also, if they don’t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25For I don’t desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you won’t be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, 26and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, “There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob. 27This is my covenant with them, when I will take away their sins.” 28Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake. 29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, 31even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy. 32For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all. 33Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35“Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?” 36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.

World English Bible (public domain)

"For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?"

Romans 11:15

Summary

Romans 11 delves into the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. Paul begins by asserting that God has not rejected His people, using himself as an example of a faithful Jew and referring to a remnant chosen by grace. This underscores the idea that God's promises to Israel stand firm despite their widespread unbelief. Paul further explains that Israel's stumbling has opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles, which in turn, is intended to provoke Israel to envy and ultimately lead them back to faith. This dynamic illustrates the depth of God's mercy and wisdom in His redemptive plan. In the latter part of the chapter, Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to describe how Gentiles are grafted into God's family, while also warning them against arrogance. He concludes by marveling at the mystery of God's reconciliation of both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing God's unsearchable judgments and wisdom.

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Chapter outline

How Romans 11 unfolds

  1. Romans 11:1–6 God's Remnant and Grace

    Paul asserts that God has not rejected Israel, using his own Jewish heritage as evidence. He cites Elijah's experience, noting God's preservation of a faithful remnant by grace.

  2. Romans 11:7–10 Israel's Stumbling and Hardening

    Paul contrasts Israel's pursuit of righteousness with the chosen remnant's success, indicating that many have become hardened. He supports this with scriptural references concerning their spiritual blindness.

  3. Romans 11:11–15 Salvation for the Gentiles

    The chapter discusses how Israel's failure has resulted in salvation for the Gentiles, intended to provoke Israel to jealousy. It highlights the potential for restoration and the significance of acceptance.

  4. Romans 11:16–24 The Olive Tree Metaphor

    Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to illustrate the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's plan. He warns Gentiles against arrogance, emphasizing their dependence on the root.

  5. Romans 11:25–32 The Mystery of Hardening

    Paul reveals that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles is reached. He emphasizes God's mercy for both Jews and Gentiles, as all are shut up to disobedience.

  6. Romans 11:33–36 God's Unsearchable Wisdom

    The chapter concludes with Paul praising the depth of God's wisdom and judgments. He acknowledges God's sovereignty over all creation and ends with a doxology.

Key verses

  • Romans 11:15This key verse highlights the profound consequences of Israel's rejection and the potential for their restoration, underscoring the chapter's exploration of God's mercy.

Main themes in Romans 11

God's Faithfulness

God's faithfulness is evident in His preservation of a remnant, as noted in verses 1-5. Despite the widespread unbelief of Israel, Paul emphasizes that a faithful remnant has been chosen by grace, demonstrating that God's promises remain steadfast. This aspect of God's covenant highlights His unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring that His plans are not thwarted by human failure.

Salvation for All

The theme of salvation for all is introduced in verse 11, where Israel's fall leads to the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan. Paul elaborates on this dynamic by explaining that the salvation of Gentiles provokes Israel to jealousy, encouraging them to seek faith. This interaction illustrates the expansive nature of God's mercy, revealing His desire for all people, Jew and Gentile alike, to come to Him.

The Mystery of God's Plan

In verse 25, Paul speaks of a mystery regarding the partial hardening of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. This mystery reflects God's intricate plan that encompasses both Jews and Gentiles, demonstrating His overarching purpose in the unfolding of salvation history. Understanding this complexity invites readers to appreciate the depth of divine grace and the multifaceted nature of God's redemptive work.

Humility and Gratitude

Paul calls for humility in verse 18, warning Gentiles against boasting over the broken branches of Israel. This theme underscores the importance of recognizing one's reliance on God's grace, fostering gratitude for the gift of salvation. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness among believers in God's family, emphasizing that all are sustained by His mercy.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Romans 11

Study questions

Questions for studying Romans 11

  1. What does Paul assert about God's relationship with Israel in verses 1-2?
  2. How does Paul illustrate the concept of a remnant in verse 5?
  3. What is the significance of Israel's stumbling in relation to the Gentiles?
  4. How does the olive tree metaphor in verses 17-24 shape our understanding of faith?
  5. What is the 'mystery' that Paul mentions in verse 25 and its implications?
  6. How does Paul conclude the chapter in verses 33-36 regarding God's wisdom?
  7. What can we learn about humility from Paul's warnings to the Gentiles?

Romans 11: frequently asked questions

What is Romans 11 about?+
Romans 11 delves into the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. Paul begins by asserting that God has not rejected His people, using himself as an example of a faithful Jew and referring to a remnant chosen by grace. This underscores the idea that God's promises to Israel stand firm despite their widespread unbelief. Paul further explains that Israel's stumbling has opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles, which in turn, is intended to provoke Israel to envy and ultimately lead them back to faith. This dynamic illustrates the depth of God's mercy and wisdom in His redemptive plan. In the latter part of the chapter, Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to describe how Gentiles are grafted into God's family, while also warning them against arrogance. He concludes by marveling at the mystery of God's reconciliation of both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing God's unsearchable judgments and wisdom.
What is the key verse in Romans 11?+
Romans 11:15: "For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?"
What are the main themes of Romans 11?+
The main themes of Romans 11 are God's Faithfulness, Salvation for All, The Mystery of God's Plan, Humility and Gratitude.

Related chapters

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Study Notes