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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 11:15 mean?

Explanation

Romans 11:15 is a part of the larger discourse where the Apostle Paul discusses the complex relationship between Israel and the Gentile world in God's plan of salvation.

The verse reads as follows in the King James Version (KJV): "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?" Here, "them" refers to the people of Israel.

Paul is suggesting that if Israel's rejection (or "casting away") has led to reconciliation for the rest of the world (meaning the Gentiles being brought into a right relationship with God), then the eventual acceptance or "receiving" of Israel would be even more glorious, akin to life being brought forth from the dead.

The literal meaning of the verse speaks to the rejection of the Gospel by a majority of the Jewish people of Paul's time, which in turn opened the way for the Gospel to be preached to Gentiles.

The deeper meaning carries an eschatological promise that in the future, when Israel as a whole turns to Christ, it will bring about a resurrection-like, remarkable renewal or restoration, possibly indicating a significant, transformative event in God's redemptive history.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Romans was written by Paul in the mid-first century AD, during a time when the Christian church was expanding among Gentile (non-Jewish) populations. There was much debate and confusion about the role of Jews and Gentiles in the new Christian faith.

Jewish Christians might have struggled with the fact that so many of their fellow Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Meanwhile, Gentile converts might have wondered about their own place in a faith that was deeply rooted in Jewish history and prophecy.

In Romans 11, Paul is addressing these complex issues, providing a hopeful perspective on God's ongoing relationship with Israel.

Theological Insights

The verse in question has been interpreted in various ways from differing theological perspectives. One prevalent interpretation is the idea of "all Israel will be saved" as Paul suggests later in Romans 11:26, indicating a future mass conversion of the Jewish people to faith in Christ.

From a Calvinist perspective, this is seen as part of the divine election and God's sovereignty, where God has predestined this eventual acceptance.

In contrast, an Arminian viewpoint would place more emphasis on human free will in the acceptance of God’s grace.

A Dispensationalist might view this as an event that will occur in the "end times," often associating it with the Second Coming of Christ.

Replacement Theology (also known as Supersessionism), on the other hand, interprets this verse more symbolically, suggesting that the church has fully replaced Israel in God’s plan, although this view has been heavily criticized and is less commonly held in contemporary theology.

Practical Applications

In a day-to-day context, this verse encourages believers to maintain hope and a vision for the future, especially regarding reconciliation and restoration.

For those experiencing estrangement or division in any area of life, the promise of "life from the dead" offers a profound sense of encouragement that even the most broken relationships can be renewed and revived.

It also speaks to the value of perseverance in evangelism and intercession, as the eventual "receiving" of Israel (or any group that seems resistant to the Gospel) will result in a glorious outcome, according to Paul's teaching.

Cross-References

Romans 11:26: "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:"
Ezekiel 37:12-14: "Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel...

And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live..."

Romans 5:10: "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

Language Study

The key Greek terms in Romans 11:15 provide richer meaning to the text:

"Casting away" (ἀποβολή, apobolē) typically indicates a rejection or a throwing away.
"Reconciling" (καταλλαγή, katallagē) means restoration to favor, typically used in the context of the reconciliation between God and sinners.
"Receiving" (πρόσλημψις, proslempsis) signifies an acceptance or taking back again.

Through these terms, we see a contrast between rejection and acceptance, and the depth of reconciliation that is available through Christ.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of national restoration and resurrection imagery can be found in other ancient cultures and religious narratives.

For instance, the concept of a dying and rising deity is seen in mythologies such as that of Osiris in Egyptian religion or the Phoenix in Greek mythology, which both carry themes of death and rebirth.

However, in the biblical context, this idea is uniquely anchored in historical events and the promise of God's action in the course of human history, particularly focusing on the redemption of Israel and its significance for the world.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly relate to scientific concepts, the metaphorical language of "life from the dead" touches on themes that have parallels in the scientific realm, such as the life cycle, growth, and regeneration.

In the fields of biology and ecology, for example, the restoration of a dead or damaged ecosystem to one that is vibrant and alive is a process that can loosely illustrate the spiritual principles Paul is describing in terms of restoration and renewal.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have offered various insights into Romans 11:15:

John Stott, an English Christian leader and theologian, refers to this verse as indicating a future phase in God's redemptive plan, a sort of spiritual revival for Israel.
F.F.

Bruce, a biblical scholar, suggests that Paul's depiction of the future acceptance of Israel corresponds with the prophetic vision where God breathes life into the valley of dry bones, symbolizing Israel's restoration (Ezekiel 37).

Douglas Moo, an American theologian, notes that this verse reflects Paul's conviction that God is not done with Israel and that there is a future aspect to the nation's role in salvation history.

These commentaries reflect a general consensus that Paul expects a dramatic, future event in the salvation story with the restoration of Israel, though they may differ in the specifics of how and when this event will unfold.

Romans 11

Romans 11

What does Romans 11:15 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 11:15 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?