Romans 11:1-3 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I say then, &c. As if he had said, We have just seen how the perverseness of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles have been foretold; but do I say then that God hath entirely cast off his whole people, so as to have mercy on none of them? God forbid In no wise; for I should then pronounce a sentence of reprobation upon myself; for I also am an Israelite As it is well known; of the seed of Abraham, &c. To whom, through the tribe of Benjamin, I can trace my genealogy; yet I am not cast off; I am still one of God's people, by believing in Christ. God hath not cast off that part of his people whom he foreknew, as repenting and believing. The apostle speaks after the manner of men. For in fact, knowing and foreknowing are the same thing with God, who knows or sees all things at once, from everlasting to everlasting. Wot ye not Know ye not, that in a parallel case, amid a general apostacy, when Elijah thought the whole nation was fallen into idolatry, God knew there was a remnant of true worshippers. How he maketh intercession Or complaineth, as the verb ενυγχανει, here used, evidently signifies, Acts 25:24, where Festus says, The Jews, ενετυχον μοι, complained to me concerning Paul; against Israel The ten tribes, who had generally revolted to idolatry; saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets See note on 1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:14; and digged down thine altars Built upon extraordinary occasions by special dispensation, and with the authority of the Lord's prophets; altars which pious people attended who could not go up to Jerusalem, and would not worship the calves, nor Baal; these separate altars, though breaking in upon the unity of the church, yet being erected and attended by those that sincerely aimed at the glory of God, and served him faithfully, God was pleased to own for his altars, as well as that at Jerusalem; and the pulling of them down is mentioned and charged upon Israel by Elijah as a heinous sin. And I am left alone Of all thy prophets who boldly and publicly plead thy cause; and they seek my life Send murderers in pursuit of me from place to place.