The Book of Romans

Chapter 11

As we enter into chapter 11, we discover that the Apostle Paul is showing how God will fulfill His promises to the nation of Israel. In the second half of this chapter, the apostle turns his attention to the Gentile believers, warning them against antisemitism and false pride, while showing them what should be their active role in hastening the salvation of the Jewish people.

11:1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. ² God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, ³ “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? ⁴ But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” ⁵ Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ⁶ And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

The Apostle Paul raises the critical question of whether God has rejected and forgotten His chosen people - the Jews, Whom He had first covenanted with their father in the faith Abraham centuries earlier. That covenant was a promise that God's people would not only inherit the land, live in prosperity, but their offspring would also cover the earth. His response to that question is "absolutely not!"

After the diaspora (exile), the Israelites became known as the descendants of Abraham living within Israel, whereas the Israelites who lived outside of Israel became known as the Jews. That way, one was able to tell who lived in Israel and who lived outside of Israel. Today, those living within Israel are known as Israeli, and all others are known as Jews. Often the names are intertwined together to where all descendants of Abraham are referred to as Jews.

The Apostle Paul, coming from the tribe of Benjamin, was an Israelite—a Jew in the strongest sense—and he goes on to explain how God has kept and will keep every promise He made to Abraham and His descendants. God is not a liar, and we can count on every promise God made to His people then and to us today through His Word, He will fulfill.

Using Elijah as an example, the apostle reminds his reader that God foreknew everything even before the foundation of the world. It was not that He preplanned and orchestrated every events to occur, but God allows mankind the free will to choose their own destiny, while continually offering a provision—a way out of their dilemma—and an eternal future under His domain.

• God foreknew Adam would fall for Satan's lies in the Garden of Eden, yet He foreknew that Jesus, as God's Son would one day come to redeem mankind (Gen 3:15). Even though the sin of mankind entered into the world, and sin overpopulated mankind, there were a few remnants of people who chose to believe and trust in God, such as Seth, Enoch, Methusalah and Noah.
• God foreknew that mankind would reject His ways, and in that God sent a world-wide flood to wipe out all of mankind except a remnant of eight people - Noah, the only one who trusted God left upon the earth, along with his family who still trusted in God.
• Some 300 years later - out of the loins of Abraham, who believed and trust in God, along with his descendants, where God foreknew that  from him would arise a family and eventually a nation of people Whom He would call His own. As such, God covenanted with Abraham, promising that he and His offspring would have an eternal future in Him. This nation of Israelites (named after Abraham's grandson Jacob - whom God named him Israel), however, repeatedly rejected God and His ways, so God sent prophets to warn them of pending judgment if they disobeyed God's commands. One of those prophets was Elijah who performed many miracles, yet the people still rejected God and worshipped other gods - in this case Baal. In this, Elijah felt completely alone, complaining to God. God then encouraged him by saying there were seven thousand other Israelites throughout Israel who followed after Him, assuring Elijah that he was not alone.
• In time, just as God has always foreknown,  this chosen nation of His people would even reject God's Son when He came as their Messiah and nailed Him to the cross. There were, however, a remnant of His chosen people who came to believe in Jesus as God's Son Who came to save them from their sins. In this, we can feel the apostle's loneliness in feeling alone in His belief and trust in Jesus - because over and over he encountered Jews who continuously rejected Christ. God's example of Elijah, under the Old Covenant, then was a source of encouragement for the Apostle Paul in that God still had a remnant who believed and trusted in Jesus Christ as their Messiah.

This should be an enouragement to each of us who may feel alone in our faith. 
We are part of a remnant who are still believing and trusting in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Israel’s Rejection - Temporary

The apostle goes on to say that, as a temporary measure, God, in His divine providence, after repeated warnings, finally turned His back on His people, and looked to the rest of the world, whom He knew in His foreknowledge that many would come to believe and trust in His Son out of the Gentile population. This extreme measure was not God forever rejecting His people, but as an act of grace upon the rest of mankind, opened the door for the Gentiles to have the opportunity to come to believe and trust in God's Son as the Savior of the world. That way, John 3:16 would be fulfilled in that God loved the whole world and sent His Son to save all of mankind to those who would believe and trust in Him. At the right appointed time, by extreme measures, God will again turn His head and heart away from the Gentiles and back to His chosen people. That is when many of His people would finally recognize and accept Jesus as their Messiah. As such, God will fulfill His promise to Israel, giving them a hope and an eternal future under God's domain forever.

⁷ What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. ⁸ Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day.” ⁹ And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them. ¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always.”

Returning to the main thrust of his argument, the apostle summarizes that Israel stopped seeking God's righteousness. They rebelled against God's Son when He came. As a result, blindness entered the heart of everyone who refused to accept Christ. While it is written here that God blinded then blinded the eyes of Israel, which then gave license to Satan coming in to rob, kill and destroy, so that Israel became hardened to God's truth.   

The elect or chosen ones have become the remnant of Messianic Jews - those who chose to believe in Jesus as their Messiah, where they have obtained faith through trusting in the atonement God has provided in Christ Jesus.  The rest of the Jews, even to this day remain as unbelievers in Jesus. As such, God's back is turned against Israel, and the Jews remain hard hearted towards God's offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The apostle goes on to say that even King David quoted one thousand years prior to this writing that the bountiful blessings of God would become a snare, and their eyes will be blind to the truth. God in His foreknowledge saw this coming. Because they refused to believe in God's truth, God simply turned His back on them, causing them to become blind to the truth, going into a deep sleep to where, even to this day, their eyes and ears are closed to the truth that lay in front of them.

When someone chooses to reject God's Son's generous offer of salvation, it is totally their choice. In their rejection, God simply turns His back on them, which then opens the door for Satan to come in to rob, kill, and destroy. In that, God's grace no longer is part of His mercy upon them. When God's face and heart is upon people, hearts are far more easily turned toward belief and trust in God and His ways. They, however, still must choose to believe and follow after Him personally.

11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

God never meant for Israel's stumbling to be permanent, but that the recompense for their disobedience would give time for the Gentiles to come to faith in Christ. The intent was for the Jews to become jealous over the Gentiles coming to faith in God through Christ Jesus - the promised Messiah to the Jews. The apostle re-emphasized that this stumbling is only temporary and God's covenant with His chosen people will eventually come to pass. In other words, the greater the fall, how much greater their riches will be when the fullness of their covenant is fulfilled.

¹³ For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, ¹⁴ if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. ¹⁵ For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

As Paul's voice is specifically directed toward the Gentiles in this section, he is stressing that God has appointed him to be an apostle to them for the purpose of making His own people - the Jews - jealous in hopes of saving some of them. Now that God has made it possible for the Gentiles, meaning the rest of the world, to come to Christ, if the Jews did become jealous and come to Christ, how wonderful it would be for the whole world to then be reconciled to Christ (John 3:16). If the casting aside of Christ by the Jews brought reconciliation to the world, then their eventual return—prompted by jealousy—would be even more glorious. It would be as if they came alive from the realm of the dead.

¹⁶ For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. ¹⁷ And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

These verses can be compared to the metaphor of the root of an olive tree becoming holy. The firstfruit of God, meaning the first Messianic believers that came from the tree (Christ), would then carry holiness to all its branches. But...some of the branches were broken off through unbelief, and in its place, wild branches were grafted in. In other words, the branches reserved for the Jews (as a unbelieving nation) were broken off to make room for the wild olive branches, meaning the Gentiles. That way, the Gentiles could be grafted into the tree (Christ), being able to partake of what the root (Messianic believers) provides. In other words, the blessings of Abraham are now given to the Gentile believers in Christ. If the root is holy, so are the branches. That way, all who believe in Christ are grafted into the tree of Christ being able to partake of all the blessings of Abraham. That would include all Christ believing Jews and Gentiles- believers - past, present, and future.

The apostle, however, gives a stern warning here to these new Gentile believers against boasting against the Jews, reminding them that they do not support the root, but the root of the tree (meaning firstfruit of Messianic Jews) supports them. At that, these Gentile believers have equal share in the blessings of Abraham, in which they need to be grateful for what God has done for them. And if they did boast, for whatever reason, these Gentiles must never forget the root are the Messianic Jews who came from Abraham and the Patriarchs. In other words, Christianity comes out of Judaism. We are forever connected with the Jews. For a Gentile Christian to then look down on the people he has been joined to is not only ingratitude, but self hatred.

As Christians, even today, we must always support Israel because our faith in Christ Jesus (Christianity)
came out of Judaism. We must never forget that!

¹⁹ You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. ²² Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. ²³ And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴ For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Never be prideful in what God has granted you in this grafting. And never forget that God broke off the branches of unbelieving Jews, so He can do the same with you. So don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen to you if you take for granted what God has given you. Just as God grafted you into the promises of God through belief in Christ, God can also take that privilege away. Remember, you are branches, privileged to receive the blessings that God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God's special olive tree. 

God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to those who continue to trust in His kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. Therefore, consider the goodness, yet the severity of God so that you may enjoy the fruit of a cultivated olive tree in the same way that the Messianic Jews receive from God.

Replacement Theology

One of the dangers that have taken place is that rise of the Church creating a theology of "Replacement Theology," meaning the Church replaced Israel. This mistaken theology has become popular, especially in Gentile-dominated churches, claiming they are the "New Israel" or the "True Israel," and that the Jews are only the "Old Israel," and excluded from God's promises. None of these terms, however, can be found in Scripture. Sadly, this is an antisemitic effort and goes beyond what Scripture says, removing the Jewish people from the place which God has given them. This is so wrong!

Understanding the Mystery of the Blindness of the Jews

²⁵ For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;²⁷ For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”

This is a mystery that God wants all of His children to know. What was hidden under the Old Covenant has now been revealed to you in the New Covenant.  The Apostle Paul is telling the Church here that when or if you, as an individual or group, ever stop trusting in God and His goodness (through Christ) you will be cut off in the same way that the unbelieving Jews have been cut off. God will simply turn His back on you. Remember, the time for unbelieving Jews to stay in their blind stupor of ignorance is numbered and about to change. When the time of the fullness of the Gentiles has arrived - in other words - when the last of the Gentiles has received Christ, God will then turn His back on the Gentiles and return His heart to the unbelieving Jews, working in their lives for their eyes to be opened to receive Christ. When it happens, it will happen suddenly. The Deliverer will come out of Zion (Jesus' second coming), preceded by the hidden Rapture of the Church seven years earlier, which will be hidden from Israel and the rest of the world. When Jesus comes for His second coming, Israel will see His coming and recognize Him as their Messiah as He comes in the clouds to Zion (Jerusalem). As a result, Israel will see and recognize Jesus as their Messiah and suddenly they will believe in Him and be saved. It will be at that time when Jesus will judge the Gentile nations and then begin to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant with Israel, and they will be forgiven of their sins.

²⁸ Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰ For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, ³¹ even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. ³² For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

Right now, most Jews still refuse to recognize Jesus as their Messiah. This obviously still benefits the Gentiles, meaning we are still in the timeframe of the fulfilling of the Gentiles for eternal salvation with Christ when God's mercy and grace rests upon the Gentile world. That, however, will end very soon. Sadly, most Jews today are either agnostic or athiests in their belief in God. And just as sad, there are a small number of Jews who have retained their orthodoxy in the Law of Moses  - still maintaining belief in Abraham and his descendants; however, they are in the minority.  What God has chosen and declared with His gifts and callings , however, can never be withdrawn.

• Just as once the Gentiles were unbelievers in Christ, having their eyes closed to God's truth, rebelling against God, God opened the door for Gentiles to receive Christ by turning His back to the Jewish people to receive Christ, to work on the hearts of the Gentiles.. 
• God allowed the eyes of the Gentiles to be opened as He granted grace and mercy to us in that many of us came to Christ.
• While it has always been God's desire that all people are saved through Christ, the door of the Gentiles, however, will soon close again to where God will center His heart back on the Jews again.

It has always been God's desire that all people are saved, coming to the knowledge of Christ Jesus. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16). Therefore, we cannot say that God does "not allow" salvation to any one group of people, whether Jew or Gentile, but for those who come to belief and trust in Jesus will be saved, no matter who they may be. In that, God has always extended mercy on everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. So then, our prayers, on behalf of the Jewish people, can bring results in salvation to those who come to belief in Christ.

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” ³⁵ “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?”

How great and wonderful are the riches of God's knowledge and wisdom. It goes beyond our comprehension and impossible to fully understand His ways.  for we do not have the knowledge of God. Who then can know His thoughts? None of us - instead, we must lean upon Him to give us His advise. 

Conclusion

Before we close chapter 11, let's address the reason why the Apostle Paul wrote this chapter to the Gentile believers in Christ throughout Rome. The second half of this chapter has been a warning to the Gentile people (all those believers who are not Jewish) against  antisemitism and false pride, while most of them thought, and still think, that God has turned His back on the Jews forever. There is definitely an element of pride in that thought, giving entrance to antisemitism. Even some branches of the Church carry this thought, believing in a "Replacement Theology," which states the Church has replaced the Jews in the promises of God. This then gives entrance to the rest of the world turning their back on the Jews. While God has definitely not turned His back on Israel and the Jews forever, God will, at the exact right time, which is coming very soon, turn His back on the Gentiles people throughout the world for their lack of response to God's beautiful invitation to accept and trust in His Son, Jesus the Savior of the world. When the fullness of the Gentiles has been complete, God will no longer give grace to the Gentile populations of the world, and just as the Jews did following the death and resurrection of Christ, refuse to accept Jesus. Their time of repentance will be complete and Satan will use that opportunity to come in to rob, kill and destroy (John 10:10) as the Gentile world will no longer desire to accept Christ as  we have read in verse 25 of this chapter. The fullness of the Gentiles will be complete. That is when the Rapture of the Church will probably happen and God will bring His Church up to heaven to escape what Satan will do to this world as the time of the Tribulation Period unfolds.

Sadly, today, most of the Gentile world is antisemetic - having a hatred for Israel and the Jewish people. Yet, we are commanded to love Israel and the Jews, purposing to win them over through them being jealous of our relationship with Christ. God gave the Gentile believers (the Church) a command and a responsibility under the New Covenant to go out and witness Christ to the whole world - Jew and Gentile alike.  It is then, therefore, the responsibility of the Church to win the lost for Christ. Sadly, however, the Church has failed in its responsibility for 2000 years, yet we keep waiting for the Rapture of the Church to occur, thinking it is up to God as to when that will happen, and that we don't have anything to do with that timing. Well folks, the Rapture of the Church will not happen until all nations have heard the Gospel, having a chance to accept and follow after Christ. That will be the time of the fullness of the Gentiles. It could have been done centuries ago if the Church would have been faithful to God's command; however, that has not been the case. It has only been within the last few years that all nations have now heard the Gospel. We can only rest in the thought that God, in His foreknowledge knew all this, which then allowed more and more Gentiles (and Jews) to be born and given a chance to accept Christ.

³⁶ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Everything comes from God and exists by His power - intended for His glory. Because of that, all glory then is extended to God - forever. Amen.

Click here for Romans, chapter 12