Romans 11:1–2, 5–6, 11–15, 25–26a, 28–32

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

CONCERN OF GOD
Romans 11:1–2, 5–6, 11–15, 25–26a, 28–32

None Are Rejected (1–2)
Paul’s condemnation of Israel in Romans 9:30–10:21 triggers the question, “Has God rejected His people?” Paul claims that Israel stumbled over the rock of Christ (9:33), willfully turning away from God’s righteousness in Christ (10:3). Does this mean that Israel has now forfeited any claim on God’s promises? Paul responds, “Absolutely not!”

The idea here is that God has not rejected those upon whom He has set His covenantal love. Such an idea is unthinkable and, indeed, impossible. The verb “foreknew” does not merely connote knowing ahead of time what others will do but also implies foreordination, with the emphasis being on God’s covenantal love for His people. This understanding of “foreknew” as selected is confirmed by the immediate context, for “foreknew” clearly functions as the antonym of “rejected.” The words “Or do you not know,” which introduce the account of Elijah, support the idea that God has not rejected His people.

Some Are Saved (5–6)
There is no interest in the biography of Elijah or Paul here; the text about Elijah illustrates the principle that God has reserved for Himself a remnant, while the majority of Israel was apostate. Here is the point of similarity between Elijah’s day and Paul’s — most of Israel had refused to acknowledge Jesus as the resurrected Messiah, and their refusal is comparable to Israel’s devotion to Baal instead of Yahweh. Elijah believed, based on the deplorable state of affairs in Israel, that he was the only follower of Yahweh left. Paul fears one might draw the same conclusion that God has abandoned Israel because they have not confessed Jesus as Lord.

The divine response to Elijah corrects his misunderstanding and contains a principle that is applicable to the situation facing the Roman church. Seven thousand had not bowed the knee to Baal because of a divine work that preserved them for Himself. Similarly God has not abandoned Israel, even though the majority has disregarded the gospel, for He has maintained a remnant of believing Jews by His divine work. Paul himself is an example. The appeal to Elijah underlines the promise that God has not forsaken His people and will fulfill His future promises to them. Verse 5 declares that the existence of a remnant of believing Jews is not ultimately attributed to their greater wisdom or spiritual perception. Rather they are a part of God’s remnant because they have been “chosen by grace.”

Some Are Jealous (11–15, 25–26a)
The unbelief of Israel is part of God’s all-encompassing purpose, for by means of their stumbling, or transgression, salvation has been given to the Gentiles. God planned that the Jews would reject the gospel in large numbers, and in response to their rejection, the message was proclaimed to Gentiles (Acts 13:45–48; 18:6; 28:24–28).

The order here is a surprise, for most Jews believed they would inherit the blessings of the Kingdom first, then some Gentiles would be included. This is foreshadowing 11:30–32. The reversal of order is designed to emphasize that the salvation of all is the result of God’s mercy. Israel will appreciate and praise the mercy of God with a depth that would have been impossible if the people had preceded the Gentiles, for the latter scenario is what they expected. The inclusion of the Gentiles before the Jews reminds all that God works in unexpected ways and no one deserves His grace. When the full number of Gentiles has been saved, there will be a tremendous gathering of ethnic Jews into the family of faith.

All Can Be Saved (28–32)
Verse 32 sums up the discussion of Chapters 9–11 as a whole. God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that He can extend His mercy to all. Paul is not teaching universalism here. The purpose is not to teach that all people without exception are recipients of God’s mercy but that all people without distinction, both Jews and Gentiles, are the beneficiaries of God’s saving grace.