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Romans 11 The Faithfulness of God

1 The Remnant of Israel
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel:

3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”?

4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,

8 as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes so that they could not see
and ears so that they could not hear,
to this very day.”

9 And David says:
“May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.

10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.”

11 Ingrafted Branches
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!

13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry

14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.

15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,

18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.”

20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

25 All Israel Will Be Saved
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,

29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,

31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.

32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

33 Doxology
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!

34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”

35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Previous Chapter Romans 10 Next Chapter Romans 12

Analysis of Romans Chapter 11

Romans Chapter 11 is a profound section of the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans, where he continues to explore the theme of God’s sovereignty and the mystery of Israel’s role in salvation history. This chapter delves into the complex theological questions about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan and unmasks Paul’s deep-seated hope for Israel’s eventual salvation.

The Remnant of Israel (Verses 1-10)

Paul opens this chapter by addressing a crucial question: “I ask then: Did God reject his people?” (Romans 11:1). He emphatically answers, “By no means!” Paul clarifies that God has not cast aside His chosen people, Israel. To support this, Paul uses himself as an example, “I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1). His very existence as a believer underscores that God’s promises to Israel persist.

Paul harkens back to the time of Elijah to illustrate that God has always preserved a faithful remnant within Israel. Elijah felt he was the only faithful one left, but God revealed to him that there were still 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal (Romans 11:2-4). Similarly, Paul asserts that at the present time, there is also a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5). This grace-based remnant underscores that salvation is not about human merit but God’s sovereign choice (Romans 11:6).

Verses 7-10 articulate the sad reality that while the elect obtained righteousness, others within Israel were “hardened.” Paul uses scriptural quotations to emphasize this hardening. Citing Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 29:10, he conveys that God has given some a “spirit of stupor” (Romans 11:8), yet this hardening serves a redemptive purpose, aligning with God’s greater plan.

Gentiles Grafted In (Verses 11-24)

From verses 11 to 24, Paul shifts to examine the implications of Israel’s transgression. His rhetorical question, “Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?” (Romans 11:11) underscores his confidence that their failure is not final. Paul posits that Israel’s stumbling brought salvation to the Gentiles, a mystery in God’s redemptive plan intended to make Israel envious and eventually lead to their salvation.

Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to illustrate the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles. Israel is depicted as the natural branches, while Gentiles are likened to “wild olive shoots” that have been grafted in (Romans 11:17). This image conveys profound theological truths: the Gentiles now share in the rich heritage and promises given originally to Israel. Yet, Paul warns the Gentiles not to boast or feel superior to the broken branches (Romans 11:18-21). Their inclusion is by faith, and if they do not persist in God’s kindness, they too could face the same fate.

Paul’s optimism shines through in verse 23, where he believes that if Israel does not persist in unbelief, they can be grafted in again. God can “graft them in” because of His infinite power and promise (Romans 11:23). The olive tree metaphor underscores the unity and interdependence between Jewish and Gentile believers in God’s salvation plan.

All Israel Will Be Saved (Verses 25-32)

In verses 25-32, Paul unveils a mystery previously concealed: part of Israel has experienced a hardening until the “full number of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25). This temporary hardening has a specific purpose in God’s redemptive chronology. The culmination of this divine plan is profound: “All Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). Paul roots this future hope in scripture by quoting Isaiah 59:20-21 and Isaiah 27:9, which speak of a Deliverer turning away ungodliness from Jacob.

This section can be challenging to interpret, with debates on whether Paul means literally all ethnic Israel or a more spiritualized understanding. Nevertheless, it is clear that Paul envisions a future mass turning of Jews to faith in Christ, substantiating God’s covenant faithfulness.

Paul elaborates that despite Israel’s current disobedience, they are still loved because of the patriarchs (Romans 11:28). The unwavering nature of God’s gifts and call (Romans 11:29) assures that God’s covenant promises to Israel remain intact. Just as Gentiles received mercy through Israel’s disobedience, Israel, too, will receive mercy (Romans 11:30-31).

Paul concludes this section with a profound theological statement: “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all” (Romans 11:32). This encapsulates the grand narrative of God’s redemptive plan, where He uses human disobedience to magnify His mercy.

Doxology: Praise to God’s Wisdom (Verses 33-36)

The chapter closes with a doxology, a response of worship to God’s inscrutable wisdom and knowledge. Paul bursts into praise, exclaiming, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33). Human minds cannot fathom God’s judgments or His paths. Verses 34-35 cite Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11, emphasizing that no one can grasp the mind of the Lord or counsel Him.

Paul’s final verse, “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36), encapsulates the essence of chapter 11 and Paul’s theology. It alludes to the ultimate purpose of everything in creation—God’s glory.

Conclusion

Romans Chapter 11 is a theological treasure trove demonstrating God’s sovereign grace and encompassing love. Paul masterfully explains the interplay between Jewish unbelief and Gentile inclusion, revealing a divine plan that is far beyond human comprehension. Through the motifs of the remnant, the olive tree, and the ultimate salvation of Israel, Paul exposes that God’s redemptive plan is a tapestry of mercy, patience, and unstoppable promise.

This chapter invites readers to marvel at God’s wisdom and align their lives accordingly, fostering unity within the Body of Christ. Paul’s ultimate message is one of hope: despite human disobedience, God’s mercy will triumph, culminating in a glorious fulfillment of His promises.