Romans 11:20-21 - Exposition

Well —the fact of the case is as you say; but why?— because of unbelief they were broken off; and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee . (So, rather than as in the Authorized Version, according to the best-supported readings.) Thou art on thy trial, as they were, and alike liable to be broken off for the like cause; their present rejection should inspire in thee, not boast-fullness, but fear. The question has been raised whether St. Paul (using, as he does, the terms σὺ and τινες τῶς κλάδων ) has now the election and final salvation of individuals in view, or still only the calling to a state of salvation of races or communities of men—of the Jewish race on the one hand, and Gentile Churches on the other. The whole purport of this section of the Epistle ( Romans 9:1-33 ; Romans 10:1-21 ; Romans 11:1-36 .) seems to demand the latter view. (As to σὺ , see on Romans 11:17 .) Besides, if by the broken-off branches were meant simply individual unbelievers, how could we explain their being "grafted in again" ( Romans 11:23 , Romans 11:24 ), seeing that the contemplated restoration is regarded in Romans 11:25 , Romans 11:26 as something that is to take place in the possibly distant future, after "the fulness of the Gentiles" has come in? Thus this passage is really irrelevant to any doctrines about individual election and salvation that may have been built upon it. It is, however, important as confirming the general view of Divine election not being irrespective of the conditions of human faith and perseverance.