Romans 11:1-12

Romans 11:1-2 Kings : . The Elect Remnant.— Paul comes to the third part of his proof that “ God’ s word” to Israel “ has not fallen through,” despite the national rejection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 11:1 . Romans 11:2 a. That “ God has not cast away His people” ( cf. 1 Samuel 12:22, Psalms 94:14, etc.), the “ Israelite” Paul is a living proof— God’ s people, that is, “ whom He foreknew” ( cf. Romans 8:29 *, 1 Peter 1:2).

Romans 11:2 b – Romans 11:4 . One remembers how “ Elijah” mourned over “ prophets slain and altars overthrown” and cried, “ I alone am left,” though “ 7000” Israelites “ bent no knee to “ Baal!”

Romans 11:5 f. “ Even so to-day there is a remnant” in whom Israel lives on ( cf. Romans 9:29, etc.)— those chosen in God’ s “ grace, on no ground of works” and merit. “ Grace is grace no longer” when “ works” make their claim ( cf. Romans 4:4 f.).

Romans 11:7 . Thus finally the matter stands: “ Israel has missed the righteousness it sought” ( Romans 9:31 f., Romans 10:2 f.); only “ the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened.”— This “ hardening” is not that of Romans 9:18— imperviousness to fear of judgment; but that of 2 Corinthians 3:14, Ephesians 4:18, Mark 3:22-Amos :, the imperviousness to conviction described in the OT sayings quoted in Romans 11:8-2 Samuel :. “ The spirit of deep slumber, eyes unseeing and ears unhearing,” mark a people sunk in spiritual lethargy: this condition “ God gave them” ( cf. Romans 1:18; Romans 1:24, etc.)— a penal consequence of habitual sin; and it is “ chronic” ( cf. 2 Corinthians 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:15, Acts 7:51 f., Matthew 23:31-Zephaniah :).— The imprecation cited from Psalms 69 ( cf. John 19:28 f., Acts 1:20, quoting the same context) implies treachery, as well as stupidity, in anti-Christian Jews.

Romans 11:11 f. Sad as it is, Israel’ s error is “ a stumble,” not a final “ fall,” “ a trespass” overruled for “ salvation to the Gentiles,” whose gain will in turn “ stir Israel’ s jealousy” ( cf. Romans 10:19). “ Now if their trespass is a world-enrichment, how much more their replenishment!” The calamity which distresses lovers of Israel, God turns into blessing for mankind; and in the world’ s blessedness Israel is bound to participate.