Romans Chapter 11

At a Glance

  • Romans 11 revisits the intricate relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, answering a central worry: has God rejected his people?
  • Paul uses the metaphor of the olive tree: natural branches broken off due to unbelief, and wild branches grafted in by God’s mercy.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Romans 11 sits in a critical turn of the letter, addressing the long tension between Israel’s place in God’s plan and the inclusion of the Gentiles.
  • - God’s faithfulness to Israel amid partial hardening.

Chapter Overview

Romans 11 revisits the intricate relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, answering a central worry: has God rejected his people? Paul answers with a resounding no. God has not cast away his people; there remains a remnant chosen by grace, and the hardening of some has happened in part so that salvation might come to the Gentiles. The image of Elijah’s endurance and the reminder of God’s steadfast plan highlight that even in what looks like spiritual drought, God keeps a faithful remnant. Paul explains that Israel’s stumbling became a means of blessing for the nations, provoking jealousy to lead some to salvation, while the fullness of the Gentiles will eventually result in all Israel being saved. The chapter emphasizes both the mysterious, sovereign nature of God’s plan and the continuity of God’s promises to Israel, while urging humility among Gentile believers who must not become conceited but fearfully grateful for such mercy.

Paul uses the metaphor of the olive tree: natural branches broken off due to unbelief, and wild branches grafted in by God’s mercy. This brings a warning against arrogance and an invitation to humility and care for the “branches” still available. The chapter closes with a doxology that extols God’s wisdom and knowledge—mysterious yet trustworthy—that his judgments are unsearchable and his ways past finding out.

Historical & Literary Context

Romans 11 sits in a critical turn of the letter, addressing the long tension between Israel’s place in God’s plan and the inclusion of the Gentiles. It follows Paul’s doctrinal treatments of righteousness by faith and the Spirit’s life, and it provides pastoral reassurance about God’s fidelity to Israel. The olive tree imagery is a crafted rhetorical move to illustrate inclusion, judgment, and future restoration. The chapter functions as both a theological corrective and a pastoral exhortation: do not boast; recognize God’s mercy; and remain hopeful for the fullness of Israel.

Key Themes

- God’s faithfulness to Israel amid partial hardening

- Gentile inclusion as part of God’s gracious plan

- Humility and caution against arrogance among believers

- The mystery of God’s plan and the future restoration of Israel

- The imagery of the olive tree as a corporate symbol of belonging and discipline

Modern Application

Romans 11 challenges contemporary readers to humility in the face of God’s vast, unfolding plan. It cautions against spiritual pride based on privilege (whether ethnic, religious, or cultural) and invites gratitude for God’s mercy that extends beyond boundaries. The chapter also encourages prayerful engagement for the salvation of Jewish people and openness to God’s wider mission in the world. Practically, believers can cultivate a posture of inclusion within the church, recognizing God’s work in various peoples and seeking reconciliation across divides. The olive tree metaphor invites ongoing repentance and renewal—continuing to say yes to God’s renovations and preserving space for those still connected to the “natural branches.” Finally, the chapter reassures that a hopeful future—one in which Israel is gathered—is not contrary to the present mission of the church but complements it as God’s faithful, saving plan.

- Romans 9–10 (Israel’s privilege and faith response)

- Isaiah 11:10–12 (the future gathering of the nations)

- Deuteronomy 32 (stewardship and divine justice)

- Ephesians 2 (Gentile inclusion in the people of God)

Recommended Personas

- Paul: for doctrinal leadership on church unity and Israel’s place

- Moses: for shepherding the people through times of hardship and faithfulness

- Jesus: for the fulfillment of God’s plan and the path of mercy

- David: for humility and reliance on God’s mercy

- The Prophets (Isaiah): for hope in restoration and the nations turned toward God

Chapter Text

1

I 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.

2

God 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,

3

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

4

But 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.

5

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

6

And 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.

7

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

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.

9

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

10

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

11

I 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.

12

Now 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?

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

And 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;

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

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

22

Behold 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.

23

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

24

For 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?

25

For 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.

26

And 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:

27

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

28

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

29

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30

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

31

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

32

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

33

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

35

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

36

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

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