Romans 11:1-10 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

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God's Purpose For Israel Is Being Fulfilled Through A Remnant (11:1-10).

Paul now deals with the question as to whether Israel has been ‘cast off'. And his reply is ‘certainly not', and this reply is based on the fact that many true Israelites, like Paul, are still acceptable to God. This, therefore, demonstrates that the whole people have not been cast off. And he then ties this in with his previous argument about God's elective purpose within Israel (Romans 9:6-29). Israel has not been cast off as a whole. It is only that part of Israel which did not believe in the Jesus the Messiah (Romans 9:30 to Romans 10:21), which has been cast off. And one reason why this has occurred is in order that salvation might come to the Gentiles in order to provoke them to jealousy (Romans 11:11). Here the distinction between believers (the elect) and unbelievers (the hardened) is made crystal clear (Romans 11:7). And it is the former who make up the true Israel. The same distinction was made apparent in Romans 9:18 against the background of Romans 9:6-13.

Related Commentaries of Romans 11:1

Romans 11:1-10

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 blindeda

8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber,b 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.