THE BOOK OF ROMANS

 

Romans Chapter 11

1 ¶ I ask then, Has God rejected his people? Absolutely not. For I too am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not cast away his people whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what the Bible says about Elijah? how he made intercession to God against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars; and I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me.

4 But what was God’s answer to him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed their knee to the image of Baal.

5 Likewise, there is also at this present time a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no longer by works: if it were grace would no longer be grace. For if it is by works, then it is no longer by grace: otherwise work is no longer work.

7 What shall we say then? What Israel sought it did not obtain; but the elect obtained it, and the others were hardened

8 (As it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) to this very day.

9 And David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, for a recompense to them:

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

11 Again I ask, Have they stumbled only that they should fall? Absolutely not: but rather through their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.

12 But if their fall means riches for the world, and their loss riches for the Gentiles; how much more will their fullness bring?

13 But now I am speaking to you who are Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office:

14 In hope that I might somehow provoke my own people to jealously, and might save some of them.

15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the first-fruit 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, as a wild olive branch, have been grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. If you do, remember you do not bear the root, but the root bears you.

19 You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20 Granted; but they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear:

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell; but kindness to you, if you continue in his kindness: otherwise you shall also be cut off.

23 Moreover, if they do not persist in unbelief, they will also be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

24 For if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a good olive tree: how much more readily will those, that are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brethren, lest you become conceited; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

26 And so all Israel will be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, he will turn ungodliness away from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant to them, when I take away their sins.

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake: but in regard to the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.

29 For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

30 For as you did not believe God in the past, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so they also do not now believe, that through your mercy they might obtain mercy.

32 For God has concluded all under sin, 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 has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor?

35 Or who has first given to him, that it might be paid back to him again?

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

[Note: Verses 1-6 God’s provision for our salvation is threefold. 1- God planned from eternity to send Christ to die for the sins of the entire world (1John 2:2). 2- He caused the Bible to be written, so we would know that Christ died for our sins (Acts 10:43, 1John 5:13). 3- Since no one could or would believe in Christ apart from His grace, He decided from eternity to bring many to faith in spite of their resistance, and those whom He brings to faith are His "elect" (John 6:44, 1Corinthians 12:3). Thus, faith itself is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:17).]