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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 11:30 mean?

Explanation

Romans 11:30 speaks to the mysterious and redemptive plan of God for humanity, particularly concerning the relationship between Jews and Gentiles.

In this verse, the apostle Paul addresses Gentile believers, reminding them of their former status of unbelief and disobedience to God. They once lived without knowledge of or obedience to God’s revelation.

However, through the unbelief of the Jews, God's chosen people, who rejected Jesus as the Messiah, the Gentiles have now received mercy.

This mercy is referring to the opportunity for salvation and becoming part of God's family.

Paul is emphasizing that God's mercy is wide and his plan for salvation is inclusive, taking into account the failures and disobedience of his people to accomplish a greater purpose.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Written by the apostle Paul around A.D. 56-58, the Epistle to the Romans addresses both Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome.

Romans chapter 11 is part of a larger discussion about the place of Israel in God's salvific plan.

At the time, the majority of the Jewish people had not recognized Jesus as the Messiah, while a growing number of Gentiles were coming to faith in Christ.

This created tension in the early church regarding the roles and status of Jews and Gentiles.

Through this verse, Paul is providing a theological explanation for the current state of Jewish unbelief and Gentile inclusion.

Theological Insights

From a Reformed or Calvinistic viewpoint, this verse might be viewed as an example of God's sovereign choice and providential plan at work in the history of redemption.

The rejection by some Jews leads to the inclusion of the Gentiles, which would then provoke some Jews to salvation, a display of divine sovereignty and wisdom.

A Dispensational perspective may emphasize the temporary nature of Jewish unbelief and the future restoration of Israel as a nation in God's redemptive timeline.

For Arminians, this could be seen as part of God's prevenient grace that uses historical occurrences and human choices to bring individuals to salvation, without violating their free will.

Catholic theology might highlight the concept of God’s mercy as an ever-present reality and would consider the Church as the new Israel, inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles.

Practical Applications

The practical application of Romans 11:30 can manifest in several ways.

Believers are called to humility, recognizing that their faith is a result of God’s mercy and not their own merit.

This acknowledgement should inform the way Christians interact with others, both those who believe differently and those who do not yet believe.

It may also inspire a spirit of gratitude and inclusiveness, encouraging believers to share the message of God’s mercy with all people.

Cross-References

Romans 11:11 - "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."
Ephesians 2:12-13 - "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Romans 15:9 - "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."

Language Study

The key words in Romans 11:30 in their original Greek context highlight the themes of disbelief and mercy:

"Ye in times past" (ποτε ἠπειθήσατε, pote ēpeithēsate): "Once, at one time, you disobeyed"
"Not believed" (ἠπειθήσατε, ēpeithēsate): The verb connotes a refusal to be persuaded or disobedience.
"Obtained mercy" (ἐλεήθητε, eleēthēte): This verb is in the passive voice, indicating that mercy is something received, not earned.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this biblical narrative with other cultural and religious traditions, one may find parallels in stories where a people's unfaithfulness serves a broader purpose.

For example, in some interpretations of Hinduism, the concept of Lila suggests that divine play orchestrates the universe in ways that may seem paradoxical.

In many ancient myths, the failing of one often leads to the opportunity or salvation of others.

Scientific Perspectives

Romans 11:30 does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives; however, the broader discussion could include a look at the sociology of religion.

Sociologists might explore how religious groups respond to inclusion and exclusion, the effects of perceived divine favor on group dynamics, and the psychological impacts of belief and unbelief on individuals within societies.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered interpretations of Romans 11:30:

John Stott notes that Paul is emphasizing the universality of both sin and salvation, God's mercy is offered to all.
F.F.

Bruce comments on the reciprocal nature of mercy in Romans 11, Jews and Gentiles both experiencing rejection and mercy in different measures but with the same ultimate purpose of salvation.

Douglas Moo discusses the “paradox of grace,” where God uses the disobedience of His people not to reject humanity but to extend His grace further.

Romans 11

Romans 11

What does Romans 11:30 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 11:30 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?