Romans 11

The Remnant of Israel

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,t a member of the tribe of Benjamin.2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?3 "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? "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 a remnant, chosen by grace.6 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? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,

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

9 And David says,
"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 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 inclusiont mean!

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?16 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 some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing roott 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 stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but 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, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.23 And 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 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers:t a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
"The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";
27  "and this will be my covenant with them
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 beloved for the sake of their forefathers.29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.30 For just as 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 nowt receive mercy.32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

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

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

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

Romans 11

1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have 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 left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6 But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.7 What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:8 according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day.9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always.

11 I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.12 Now if their fall, is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13 But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them.15 For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches.17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee.19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?25 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;26 and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 And this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins.

28 As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.29 For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.30 For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,31 even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy.32 For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing 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 unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.