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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 11:8 mean?

Explanation

Romans 11:8 refers to a state of spiritual insensitivity or hardness that has come upon some of the people of Israel.

It suggests that God has given them a "spirit of slumber," meaning that they are spiritually unresponsive and unable to recognize or understand God's message and work.

The "eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear" metaphorically describe their lack of perception and recognition of God's truth and the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus Christ.

The phrase "unto this day" indicates that this condition continues to persist at the time of Paul's writing.

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Historical Context

Romans 11:8 is part of a larger discourse by the Apostle Paul addressing the status of Israel in God's plan of salvation. Written in the mid-first century A.D., this letter to the Romans addresses both Gentile and Jewish Christians in Rome.

The verse references and echoes themes from the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly the prophets, who often spoke of Israel’s spiritual obtuseness in the face of God's revelations and judgements.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret Romans 11:8 in various ways.

Some see it as a temporary hardening of some within Israel to allow the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s people.

Others view it as part of God's sovereign plan and a result of Israel's unbelief and disobedience.

Still, others emphasize the phrase "God hath given them" as God’s active role in judicial hardening as a response to persistent unbelief.

Practical Applications

The verse serves as a sobering reminder of the risk of becoming spiritually insensitive or unresponsive due to disbelief or disobedience.

Believers can take heed of this warning and strive to remain open to spiritual truths, maintain a receptive heart, and cultivate a lifestyle of faithfulness and obedience to God’s Word.

Cross-References

Isaiah 6:9-10: "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not..."
Deuteronomy 29:4: "Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day."
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 shall not perceive..."

Language Study

The original Greek terms are important to understand the nuances in this verse:

"Pneuma katanuxeos" (πνεῦμα κατανύξεως): Translated as "spirit of slumber," here "pneuma" commonly means "spirit" and "katanuxeos" (from "katanuxis") can mean "numbness, stupor."
"Ophthalmoi" (ὀφθαλμοί): Meaning "eyes," often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent understanding or moral insight.
"Ota" (ὦτα): Meaning "ears," similarly used throughout Scripture with a metaphorical sense of hearing or heeding information or commandments.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of spiritual blindness or deafness can be found in various religious traditions.

For example, in Hinduism, there are references to "Maya" or illusion, which can blind individuals from perceiving ultimate reality.

In Buddhism, "Avidya" refers to ignorance or misunderstanding of the nature of reality, a kind of spiritual blindness.

These concepts are reminiscent of the spiritual slumber described in Romans 11:8.

Scientific Perspectives

Science doesn't directly comment on spiritual matters such as beliefs or theological concepts.

However, the metaphor of spiritual blindness has parallels in psychological studies on perception and belief formation.

Cognitive biases and other factors can prevent individuals from perceiving or accepting information that challenges existing beliefs, similar to the scriptural concept of spiritual slumber.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentators have viewed Romans 11:8 through different lenses:

John Calvin saw it as an act of God's just judgment upon Israel for their unbelief.
Matthew Henry interpreted it as a warning of the dangers of desensitization to divine things.
Contemporary commentators might emphasize the continuing relevance of this theme, cautioning against complacency and the importance of being receptive to spiritual growth and understanding.

Romans 11

Romans 11

What does Romans 11:8 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 11:8 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?