Romans 11:1-12 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The Elect Remnant. Paul comes to the third part of his proof that God's word to Israel has not fallen through, despite the national rejection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 11:1; Romans 11:2 a. That God has not cast away His people (cf. 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalms 94:14, etc.), the Israelite Paul is a living proof God's people, that is, whom He foreknew (cf. Romans 8:29 *, 1 Peter 1:2).

Romans 11:2 b - Romans 11:4. One remembers how Elijah mourned over prophets slain and altars overthrown and cried, I alone am left, though 7000 Israelites bent no knee to Baal!

Romans 11:5 f. Even so to-day there is a remnant in whom Israel lives on (cf. Romans 9:29, etc.) those chosen in God's grace, on no ground of works and merit. Grace is grace no longer when works make their claim (cf. Romans 4:4 f.).

Romans 11:7. Thus finally the matter stands: Israel has missed the righteousness it sought (Romans 9:31 f., Romans 10:2 f.); only the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened. This hardening is not that of Romans 9:18 imperviousness to fear of judgment; but that of 2 Corinthians 3:14; Ephesians 4:18; Mark 3:22-30, the imperviousness to conviction described in the OT sayings quoted in Romans 11:8-10. The spirit of deep slumber, eyes unseeing and ears unhearing, mark a people sunk in spiritual lethargy: this condition God gave them (cf. Romans 1:18; Romans 1:24, etc.) a penal consequence of habitual sin; and it is chronic (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:15; Acts 7:51 f., Matthew 23:31-36). The imprecation cited from Psalms 69 (cf. John 19:28 f., Acts 1:20, quoting the same context) implies treachery, as well as stupidity, in anti-Christian Jews.

Romans 11:11 f. Sad as it is, Israel's error is a stumble, not a final fall, a trespass overruled for salvation to the Gentiles, whose gain will in turn stir Israel's jealousy (cf. Romans 10:19). Now if their trespass is a world-enrichment, how much more their replenishment! The calamity which distresses lovers of Israel, God turns into blessing for mankind; and in the world's blessedness Israel is bound to participate.

Related Commentaries of Romans 11:1

Romans 11:1-12

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.

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 diminishingc of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?