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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 11:10 mean?

Explanation

Romans 11:10, as taken from the King James Version of the Bible, says, "Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway." Paul the Apostle, who is traditionally credited as the author of the Epistle to the Romans, is here continuing a discourse on the state of Israel in God's salvific plan.

The verse is a part of a larger argument dealing with the rejection of Christ by the majority of the Jewish people and the consequential opening of salvation to the Gentiles.

The phrase "Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see" indicates a kind of spiritual blindness or hardness of heart to the revelation and truth of God which, in the apostolic narrative, had befallen many in Israel.

This quotation is a fulfillment of the judgment pronounced in the Old Testament, suggesting that there is a divine purpose even within the act of hardening.

"Bow down their back alway" implies a state of continual burden or servitude, symbolically representing a spiritual state of oppression or punishment.

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Historical Context

This verse is drawn from a quote in Psalm 69:23.

Paul is using this Psalm to articulate the consequences that have resulted from Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

During the time Romans was penned, likely around 57 AD, there was significant theological debate among Jews regarding the acceptance of Jesus.

Paul's audience was comprised of both Jewish and Gentile Christians living in Rome, and the epistle serves to explain how the two groups are integrated into God's plan.

Paul's reference to Old Testament scripture was a way to legitimize his argument to the Jewish community by showing continuity with their sacred texts.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological viewpoint, this verse emphasizes the sovereignty and justice of God in the narrative of salvation.

It highlights the belief that God's salvific plan includes consequences for unbelief and is worked out through both mercy and judgment.

One interpretation among Christians is that God's hardening of some hearts serves a greater purpose in history.

Some theologians might emphasize the importance of free will and personal responsibility in response to God's revelation, suggesting that Israel's hardening was a result of their rejection rather than an arbitrary act of God.

Practical Applications

Regardless of one's religious background, this verse encourages self-reflection on spiritual openness and accountability.

It warns of the perils of willful ignorance and the importance of being receptive to truth, which can be applied to various areas of life including personal beliefs, moral choices, and cultural understandings.

It also may serve as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting wisdom and guidance in one's life.

Cross-References

Psalm 69:23 – "Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake."
Deuteronomy 28:64-65 – “And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods…”
Matthew 13:14-15 – "And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive."

Language Study

The key phrase "be darkened" comes from the Greek word "σκοτίσθητω" (skotistheto), which is an aorist passive imperative, suggesting a command for the eyes to be darkened.

The word has connotations of being obscured or blinded.

"Bow down" is translated from "κάμψωσιν" (kampsosin), which is an aorist active subjunctive, leaving a possibility open rather than asserting absoluteness.

"Their back alway" in Greek is "τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διὰ παντός" (ton noton auton dia pantos), which will more directly translate to "their back always" in English, carrying the underlying imagery of a burdened or stooped posture continuously.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse could be loosely compared to the concept of spiritual blindness found in other religious traditions.

In Hinduism, there is the concept of Maya, the illusion which blinds humans to reality.

In Buddhism, ignorance (avidya) is one of the root causes of suffering.

The notion of a deity hardening hearts is more specific to Abrahamic traditions and serves a specific narrative function in the story of salvation.

Scientific Perspectives

The reference to eyes being darkened can be metaphorically linked to the modern understanding of cognitive biases and the psychological tendency for people to be blind to evidence that contradicts their beliefs.

This psychological phenomenon is known as confirmation bias.

Neurologically, this can be explained by the brain's preference for coherence over cognitive dissonance.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Romans 11:10.

Some see the hardening of Israel as part of God's sovereign plan leading to the salvation of the Gentiles. Others point out that Paul's use of Psalm 69 is him drawing on a prayer of judgment to illustrate the serious consequences of not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.

Many agree that this is one of the texts that captures the tension in the New Testament between God's mercy and His judgment.

Romans 11

Romans 11

What does Romans 11:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 11:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?