Romans 11

The Remnant of Israel

1 I ask, then, h has God rejected his people? By no means! For i I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, 1 a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 j God has not rejected his people whom he k foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 l "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." 4 But what is God's reply to him? m "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 So too at the present time there is n a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 o But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

7 What then? p Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest q were hardened,

8 as it is written,
r "God gave them a spirit of stupor,
s eyes that would not see
and ears that would not hear,
down to this very day."

9 And David says,
t "Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever."

Gentiles Grafted In

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass u salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion 2 mean!

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as v I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and w thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means x the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 y If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 But if z some of the branches were broken off, and you, a although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root 3 of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you b stand fast through faith. So c do not become proud, but d fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, e provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise f you too will be cut off. 23 And g even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

The Mystery of Israel's Salvation

25 h Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: 4 i a partial hardening has come upon Israel, j until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
k "The Deliverer will come l from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";
27 "and this will be my m covenant with them
n when I take away their sins."

28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are o beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and p the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as q you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now 5 receive mercy. 32 For God r has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and s wisdom and knowledge of God! t How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 "For u who has known the mind of the Lord,
or v who has been his counselor?"
35 "Or w who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"

36 For x from him and through him and to him are all things. y To him be glory forever. Amen.

  1. Cross References
    1 Samuel 12:22
    For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.
    Jeremiah 31:37
    Thus says the Lord : "If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.
    Jeremiah 33:24
    Have you not observed that these people are saying, 'The Lord has rejected the two clans that he chose'? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight.
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:22
    Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.
    Philippians 3:5
    Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 94:14
    For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage.
  4. Cross References
    Romans 8:29
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
  5. Cross References
    1 Kings 19:10
    He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.
    1 Kings 19:14
    He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.
  6. Cross References
    1 Kings 19:10
    He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.
    1 Kings 19:14
    He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.
  7. Cross References
    1 Kings 19:18
    Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.
  8. Cross References
    1 Kings 19:18
    Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 9:27
    And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved.
    Jeremiah 3:14
    Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord ; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
    Zechariah 13:8
    In the whole land, declares the Lord, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive.
  10. Cross References
    Romans 4:4
    Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
    Deuteronomy 9:4 - 5
    Do not say in your heart, after the Lord your God has thrust them out before you, 'It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,' whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out before you.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 9:31
    But that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
  12. Cross References
    Romans 11:25
    Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
  13. Cross References
    Isaiah 29:10
    For the Lord has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers).
  14. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:4
    But to this day the Lord has not given you a he...
    Isaiah 43:8
    Bring out the people who are blind, yet have ey...
    Jeremiah 5:21
    Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who ...
    Ezekiel 12:2
    Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebelli...
    Ephesians 4:18
    They are darkened in their understanding, alien...
    Matthew 13:14
    Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is...
  15. Cross References
    Psalms 69:22 - 23
    Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 69:22 - 23
    Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.
  17. Cross References
    Acts 28:28
    Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.
  18. Cross References
    Romans 15:16
    To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
    Acts 26:17
    Delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles - to whom I am sending you
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:16
    For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
    1 Corinthians 9:22
    To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
    1 Timothy 4:16
    Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
    James 5:20
    Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
  20. Cross References
    Romans 5:11
    More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
  21. Cross References
    Numbers 15:18 - 21
    Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you
    Nehemiah 10:37
    And to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
    Ezekiel 44:30
    And the first of all the firstfruits of all kinds, and every offering of all kinds from all your offerings, shall belong to the priests. You shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, that a blessing may rest on your house.
  22. Cross References
    Jeremiah 11:16
    The Lord once called you 'a green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit.' But with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed.
    Psalms 52:8
    But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
    John 15:2
    Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
  23. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:12
    Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
  24. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:12
    Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
    2 Corinthians 1:24
    Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
  25. Cross References
    Romans 12:3
    For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
    Romans 12:16
    Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
    1 Timothy 6:17
    As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
  26. Cross References
    Proverbs 28:14
    Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
    Isaiah 66:2
    All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
    Isaiah 66:5
    Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: "Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name's sake have said, 'Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy'; but it is they who shall be put to shame.
    Jeremiah 44:10
    They have not humbled themselves even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in my law and my statutes that I set before you and before your fathers.
    Philippians 2:12
    Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:2
    And by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.
    Hebrews 3:6
    But Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
    Hebrews 3:14
    For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
  28. Cross References
    John 15:2
    Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
  29. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:16
    But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
  30. Cross References
    Romans 12:16
    Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
  31. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:14
    But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
    Romans 11:7
    What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened.
  32. Cross References
    Revelation 7:9
    After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
    Luke 21:24
    They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
  33. Cross References
    Isaiah 59:20 - 21
    And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression," declares the Lord.
    John 4:22
    You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
    Hebrews 8:8 - 12
    For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
  34. Cross References
    Psalms 14:7
    Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
    Psalms 53:6
    Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
  35. Cross References
    Isaiah 59:20 - 21
    And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression," declares the Lord.
  36. Cross References
    Romans 9:4
    They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
  37. Cross References
    Isaiah 27:9
    Therefore by this the guilt of Jacob will be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: when he makes all the stones of the altars like chalkstones crushed to pieces, no Asherim or incense altars will remain standing.
    Hebrews 8:12
    For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
  38. Cross References
    Romans 9:5
    To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
    Deuteronomy 7:8
    But it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
    Deuteronomy 10:15
    Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.
  39. Cross References
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
  40. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:2 - 3
    In which you once walked, following the course ...
    Ephesians 2:11
    Therefore remember that at one time you Gentile...
    Ephesians 2:13
    But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far o...
    Colossians 1:21
    And you, who once were alienated and hostile in...
    Colossians 3:7
    In these you too once walked, when you were liv...
    Titus 3:3
    For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient...
  41. Cross References
    Romans 3:9
    What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin.
  42. Cross References
    Colossians 2:3
    In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
    Psalms 139:6
    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
    Ephesians 3:10
    So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
  43. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:29
    The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
  44. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:13
    Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?
    1 Corinthians 2:16
    For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
    Job 15:8
    Have you listened in the council of God? And do you limit wisdom to yourself?
  45. Cross References
    Job 36:22 - 23
    Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?
  46. Cross References
    Job 35:7
    If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
    Job 41:11
    Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
  47. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:6
    Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
    1 Corinthians 11:12
    For as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.
    Colossians 1:16
    For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him.
    Hebrews 2:10
    For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
  48. Cross References
    Romans 16:27
    To the only wise God be glory forevermore throu...
    Ephesians 3:21
    To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jes...
    Philippians 4:20
    To our God and Father be glory forever and ever...
    1 Timothy 1:17
    To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the o...
    1 Peter 4:11
    Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of Go...
    2 Peter 3:18
    But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord...
    Jude 1:25
    To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Chri...
    Revelation 1:6
    And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and F...
    Revelation 5:13
    And I heard every creature in heaven and on ear...
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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