Romans 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I say then, hath God cast away his people? - Has he utterly and finally rejected them? for this is necessarily the apostle's meaning, and is the import of the Greek word απωσατο, which signifies to thrust or drive away, from απο, from, and ωθεω, to thrust or drive; has he thrust them off, and driven them eternally from him? God forbid - by no means. This rejection is neither universal nor final. For I also am an Israelite - I am a regular descendant from Abraham, through Israel or Jacob, and by his son Benjamin. And I stand in the Church of God, and in the peculiar covenant; for the rejection is only of the obstinate and disobedient; for those who believe on Christ, as I have done, are continued in the Church.
Open source ↗SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED--THE ULTIMATE INBRINGING OF ALL ISRAEL, TO BE, WITH THE GENTILES, ONE KINGDOM OF GOD ON THE EARTH. (Rom. 11:1-36) I say then, Hath--"Did" God cast away his people? God forbid--Our Lord did indeed announce that "the kingdom of God should be taken from Israel" (Mat 21:41); and when asked by the Eleven, after His resurrection, if He would at that time "restore the kingdom to Israel," His reply is a virtual admission that Israel was in some sense already out of covenant (Act 1:9). Yet here the apostle teaches that, in two respects, Israel was not "cast away"; First, Not totally; Second, Not finally. FIRST, Israel is not wholly cast away. for I also am an Israelite--See Phi 3:5, and so a living witness to the contrary. of the seed of Abraham--of pure descent from the father of the faithful. of the tribe of Benjamin-- (Phi 3:5), that tribe which, on the revolt of the ten tribes, constituted, with Judah, the one faithful kingdom of God (Kg1 12:21), and after the captivity was, along with Judah, the kernel of the Jewish nation (Ezr 4:1; Ezr 10:9).
Open source ↗I say then, hath God cast away his people?.... The Alexandrian, copy adds here, "whom he foreknew", as in Rom 11:2, upon the citation of the above passages out of Moses and Isaiah, relating to the calling of the Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews, the apostle saw an objection would arise, which he here takes up from the mouth of an adversary, and proposes it; in which is suggested, that God has cast away all his people the Jews, according to this count; and if so, where is his covenant with Abraham? what is become of his promises? and how is his faithfulness to be accounted for? and what hope can any Israelite have of ever obtaining salvation? than which, nothing can be thought more injurious to God, and absurd in itself. This was an old prejudice of the Jewish nation, and still continues, that God never would, nor has he cast them away, even in their present condition; it is one of the articles of their creed, received by the Karaites (o), a sect among them, that "the blessed God , "hath not cast away the men of the captivity", though they are under the chastisements of God; but it is fit that they should every day obtain salvation by the hands of Messiah, the Son of David.'' Now to this objection the apostle makes answer; "first", in his usual way, God forbid, when anything was objected which was displeasing to him, abhorred by him, which was not agreeable to the perfections of God, to the truth of his word, and promises, and could by no means be admitted of; and next by observing his own case, which was a standing instance to the contrary; for God had chosen him unto eternal salvation, Christ had redeemed him by his blood, and he was effectually called by grace; and as to his eternal state, he had no doubt or scruple about it; and besides, the Lord had made him…
Open source ↗The apostle proposes here a plausible objection, which might be urged against the divine conduct in casting off the Jewish nation (Rom 11:1): "Hath God cast away his people? Is the rejection total and final? Are they all abandoned to wrath and ruin, and that eternal? Is the extent of the sentence so large as to be without reserve, or the continuance of it so long as to be without repeal? Will he have no more a peculiar people to himself?" In opposition to this, he shows that there was a great deal of goodness and mercy expressed along with this seeming severity, particularly he insists upon three things: - 1. That, though some of the Jews were cast off, yet they were not all so. 2. That, though the body of the Jews were cast off, yet the Gentiles were taken in. And, 3. That, though the Jews were cast off at present, yet in God's due time they should be taken into his church again. I. The Jews, it is true, were many of them cast off, but not all. The supposition of this he introduces with a God forbid. He will by no means endure such a suggestions. God had made a distinction between some of them and others. 1. There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, that obtained righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ, Rom 11:1-7. These are said to be such as he foreknew (Rom 11:2), that is, had thoughts of love to, before the world was; for whom he thus foreknew he did predestinate. her lies the ground of the difference. They are called the election (Rom 11:7), that is, the elect, God's chosen ones, whom he calls the election, because that which first distinguished them from the dignified them above others was God's electing love. Believers are the election, all those and those only whom God hath chosen. Now, (1.) He shows that he himself was one of them: For I also am an…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἀπωθέομαι (apōthéomai, G683) — to push off, figuratively, to reject θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) Ἰσραηλίτης (Israēlítēs, G2475) — an "Israelite", i.e. descendant of Israel (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote)
Open source ↗θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀπωθέομαι (apōthéomai, G683) — to push off, figuratively, to reject οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that προγινώσκω (proginṓskō, G4267) — to know beforehand, i.e. foresee ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) γραφή (graphḗ, G1124) — a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Ἡλίας (Hēlías, G2243) — Helias (i.e. Elijah), an Israelite
Open source ↗κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἀποκτείνω (apokteínō, G615) — to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy προφήτης (prophḗtēs, G4396) — a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κατασκάπτω (kataskáptō, G2679) — to undermine, i.e. (by implication) destroy θυσιαστήριον (thysiastḗrion, G2379) — a place of sacrifice, i.e. an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative) κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me ὑπολείπω (hypoleípō, G5275) — to leave under (behind), i.e. (passively) to remain (survive) μόνος (mónos, G3441) — remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication, mere ζητέω (zētéō, G2212) — to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ψυχή (psychḗ, G5590) — breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient…
Open source ↗ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… χρηματισμός (chrēmatismós, G5538) — a divine response or revelation αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καταλείπω (kataleípō, G2641) — to leave down, i.e. behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining ἐμαυτοῦ (emautoû, G1683) — of myself so likewise the dative case , and accusative case ἑπτακισχίλιοι (heptakischílioi, G2035) — seven times a thousand ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same κάμπτω (kámptō, G2578) — to bend οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not γόνυ (góny, G1119) — the "knee" Βάαλ (Báal, G896) — Baal, a Phœnician deity (used as a symbol of idolatry)
Open source ↗οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… λεῖμμα (leîmma, G3005) — a remainder κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἐκλογή (eklogḗ, G1589) — (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely) χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ἔτι (éti, G2089) — "yet," still (of time or degree) οὐκέτι (oukéti, G3765) — not yet, no longer ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act ἐπεί (epeí, G1893) — thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Open source ↗τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl, G2474) — Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or… ἐπιτυγχάνω (epitynchánō, G2013) — to chance upon, i.e. (by implication) to attain οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐπιζητέω (epizētéō, G1934) — to search (inquire) for; intensively, to demand, to crave δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐκλογή (eklogḗ, G1589) — (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely) λοιποί (loipoí, G3062) — remaining ones πωρόω (pōróō, G4456) — to petrify, i.e. (figuratively) to indurate (render stupid or callous)
Open source ↗καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… κατάνυξις (katányxis, G2659) — a prickling (sensation, as of the limbs asleep), i.e. (by implication, (perhaps by some… ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós, G3788) — the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the… βλέπω (blépō, G991) — to look at (literally or figuratively) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὖς (oûs, G3775) — the ear (physically or mentally) ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Δαβίδ (Dabíd, G1138) — Dabid (i.e. David), the Israelite king λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τράπεζα (trápeza, G5132) — a table or stool (as being four-legged), usually for food (figuratively, a meal); also a… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… παγίς (pagís, G3803) — a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively, a trick or statagem (temptation) θήρα (thḗra, G2339) — hunting, i.e. (figuratively) destruction σκάνδαλον (skándalon, G4625) — a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin) ἀνταπόδομα (antapódoma, G468) — a requital (properly, the thing)
Open source ↗σκοτίζω (skotízō, G4654) — to obscure (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós, G3788) — the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the… βλέπω (blépō, G991) — to look at (literally or figuratively) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… συγκάμπτω (synkámptō, G4781) — to bend together, i.e. (figuratively) to afflict νῶτος (nōtos, G3577) — the back διαπαντός (diapantós, G1275) — through all time, i.e. (adverbially) constantly
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… πταίω (ptaíō, G4417) — to trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) πίπτω (píptō, G4098) — to fall (literally or figuratively) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… παράπτωμα (paráptōma, G3900) — a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression σωτηρία (sōtēría, G4991) — rescue or safety (physically or morally) ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… παραζηλόω (parazēlóō, G3863) — to stimulate alongside, i.e. excite to rivalry
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. παράπτωμα (paráptōma, G3900) — a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πλοῦτος (ploûtos, G4149) — wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance,… κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἥττημα (hḗttēma, G2275) — a deterioration, i.e. (objectively) failure or (subjectively) loss ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… πόσος (pósos, G4214) — interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many) μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather πλήρωμα (plḗrōma, G4138) — repletion or completion, i.e. (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement,…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me διακονία (diakonía, G1248) — attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service…
Open source ↗εἴ πως (eí pōs, G1513) — if somehow -πώς (-pṓs, G4458) — an enclitic particle of indefiniteness of manner; somehow or anyhow; used only in… παραζηλόω (parazēlóō, G3863) — to stimulate alongside, i.e. excite to rivalry μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σώζω (sṓzō, G4982) — to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.
circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from the earliest days of my youth, among my own people and in Jerusalem.
For the LORD will not forsake His people; He will never abandon His heritage.
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today.
My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,
For the LORD had said, “I will remove Judah from My sight, just as I removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the temple of which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.’”
Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”