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Romans

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Romans 11

1I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

1I 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.

Commentary · verse 1

Paul dealt with a possible incorrect conclusion from the previous chapter: God caused Israel to reject Jesus against Israel's will. This would be the same as saying, "God wanted Israel not to recognize the value within Jesus." Paul believed Israel would be saved if those people chose to live by grace through faith.

2God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel:

2God 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,

Commentary · verse 2

Paul blatantly stated it was not God's fault and then referenced 1 Kings 19:10-18.

3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.

5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4But 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.

5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Commentary · verses 3-5

The remnant of Israel that would be saved would be so as an effect of the individual's choice to live by grace through faith.

6But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.

6And 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.

Commentary · verse 6

Doctrine: Grace is not of works. Works are an effect of grace. Grace is God flowing through you. God gets the credit; God does the work through you. "Grace" is "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life." Works would be actions initiated by the individual, where the individual is the source of the action, not God. Paul's premise was that Salvation was initiated by God, not by the individual.

Doctrines on this passage

7What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:

7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Commentary · verse 7

Paul applied his premise to Israel and the Christians. Israel tried to initiate their Salvation and did not obtain it. Those who chose to accept justification by faith obtained Salvation and those who chose to continue to justify themselves ended up hardening their hearts, and not glorifying God.

8according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day.

8(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.

Commentary · verse 8

Paul supported this premise with Isaiah 29:10.

9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: 10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always.

9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Commentary · verses 9-10

Paul also supported this premise with Psalm 69:22-23. Both verses spoke to people getting what they justly deserve as an effect of their choices.

11I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.

11I 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.

Commentary · verse 11

Paul referenced Deuteronomy 32:21 to show that the purpose of God going to the Gentiles was not so that the Jews would be prevented from ever attaining Salvation. Everyone is able to attain Salvation by accepting justification by faith. God's purpose for reaching out to the Gentiles was to cause the Jews to pursue God more.

12Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; 14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them.

12Now 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?

13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Commentary · verses 12-14

Paul wanted the Jews to see his ministry to the Gentiles so they would be provoked to jealousy. Again, Paul wanted Salvation coming to the Gentiles to cause the Jews ("them that are my flesh") to pursue God and be saved, to recognize the value within God because of the good things He was doing for the Gentiles.

15For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Commentary · verses 15-16

Causality: If the "firstfruit" and "root" (cause) is holy, the "lump" and "branches" (effect) will be holy. If you have holy causes within you (grace), you will have holy effects come out of you, which are good works.

17But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.

17And 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;

18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Commentary · verses 17-18

Our dispensation (Christians) was grafted into the Dispensation of the Law (Jews). When our dispensation ends with the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church, the Dispensation of the Law will return for seven years.

19Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.

19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Commentary · verses 19-21

Christians have no reason to be proud because if God broke off the original natural branch (Jews) because they chose not to believe, He will more willingly break off the grafted branch (Christians) if we choose not to believe.

22Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

22Behold 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.

Commentary · verse 22

Doctrine: Our choice to humble ourselves and continue in God's goodness (by grace) would be the cause of the branches also being good.

23And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

24For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24For 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?

Commentary · verses 23-24

Paul reinforced the fact that the Jews were still able to attain Salvation by accepting justification by faith.

25For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;

25For 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.

Commentary · verse 25

Paul stated he wanted us to understand this mystery. Our dispensation came about in response to Israel rejecting God, and there was an appointed time when our dispensation would end so that God would then bring back the Dispensation of the Law so that the nation of Israel would accept Jesus as the Messiah.

26and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27And this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins.

26And 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:

27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Commentary · verses 26-27

Paul supported his explanation of this mystery by referencing Isaiah 27:9.

Doctrines on this passage

28As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.

29For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.

28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Commentary · verses 28-29

Gifts and callings of God are "not repented of." This meant that an unrepentant person could still flow in their gift or calling. If we could only benefit from these gifts and callings through perfect people, we would never experience the benefit of these gifts.

30For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, 31even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy.

32For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Commentary · verses 30-32

Paul returned to his premise from the end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2: all of us are sinners. However, Paul's presentation since those chapters added the following fact: God is able to have mercy on all by offering Salvation to all, and our choice to respond to this mercy determines whether we humble ourselves, recognize the value in God, and attain Salvation.

Doctrines on this passage

33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!

33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Commentary · verse 33

This did not mean we cannot know God's wisdom and knowledge, and especially did not mean we were justified in not pursuing God's wisdom and knowledge. God will always have more wisdom and knowledge than us, which meant we should always pursue God's wisdom and knowledge, which would cause us to recognize God's value even more.

34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Commentary · verses 34-36

Theme of Chapter 11: Paul built on the foundation of the previous chapter which showed the Jews ought to have known accepting Jesus as the Messiah was the ultimate effect of believing the Law. Paul showed that the Jews ought to have realized God would reach out to the Gentiles. In fact, God reaching out to the Gentiles was intended to cause the Jews to pursue God more. Again, Salvation is the responsibility of the individual. Salvation is available to all.

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