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Romans 11 |
King James Version
Author: Youssef Rank: Bishop Posted on: 2023-01-25
St. Paul the apostle described Israel in the preceding Chapter as a disobedient and contrary people. In the present Chapter, the apostle discusses the future of the Jews with regard to salvation. But this Chapter is misused, for some western theologians who support the aggressive attitudes of Israel claim that the apostle Paul was speaking about the Jews restoring their early status as God's elect people. They use the teachings of Paul the apostle to give religious support satisfying the aggressive spirit of Israel. Therefore we had to draw the attention before proceeding into our commentary on this Chapter to the fact that the apostle Paul was not speaking about God's mercy upon the Israelite people as a nation having an independent physical entity. The continuity of Israel as a nation or a state has never occurred to the mind of Paul the apostle, and does not conform at all to the spiritual concepts of the Christian teachings. the status of Israel as a nation or a state has come to an end in the biblical concept. Moreover, the status of Israel as a religion also has come to an end. The Christian church replaced the Jewish church, and the Christian religion replaced the Jewish religion. Therefore the hope of which Paul the apostle speaks in this Chapter does not concern the Jewish people as a nation, but as individuals. It is because the door of salvation and faith in the Lord Christ is open before every individual of mankind, whether a Jew or not. No people are distinguished than another people, nor an individual than another. It is not confined to one nation only, but it is rather God's gift offered to all people.
So, if Paul the apostle says that God did not refuse His people whom He foreknew, but their hardheartedness happened partially until the fullness of the Gentiles join faith, then all Israel will be saved, by this he does not refer to their salvation as a nation but as individuals. In other words he does not speak about the material concept of salvation, which is represented in our present time in establishing a usurping state that is built on robbing the rights of the other. He rather is speaking about the spiritual concept of salvation represented in accepting the Lord Christ as Savior to mankind, and believing on Him. From this side, there is opportunity for the Jews to believe in Christ and be saved, in which case any claim by the Jews of their right to establish a state for themselves will be null and void. Christianity does not attach the faithful to an earthly kingdom or an earthly state, but to a heavenly kingdom and a heavenly inheritance that does not fade away.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
Romans 11:1 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.
What then of the future of Israel? Is it true, as some teach, that God's dealings with Israel are finished and that the Church is now the Israel of God? Do all the promises to Israel now apply to the Church today? This chapter more vigorously than any other part of the Bible counters this view.
Paul's first question means: 'Has God completely 'rejected His people'? That is, has every individual Israelite been rejected? 'By no means!' The point here is that although God has rejected His people, as explicitly stated in [Rom 11:15], it does not mean that He has rejected everyone. Paul himself is evidence that the rejection was not complete. After all, he was 'an Israelite of the seed of Abraham' and 'of the tribe of Benjamin.' His origin as a Jew was incontrovertibly proven.
Footnote [1] It is sad to note that those who attribute the blessings of Israel to the Church still attribute the curses to Israel.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-01-03 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 1]. After all that has preceded, you might wonder if God has totally rejected His people forever. This question gets the same clear answer from Paul: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” He can point to himself. He was an Israelite. He was of the seed of Abraham to whom God had given His promises. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, which had almost disappeared from among Israel because they refused to judge evil (Judges 19-21).
[Verse 2-3]. If God had rejected His people, there wouldn’t have been a place left for Paul. But no, God has not rejected His people as a whole. God knew His people in advance; the unfaithfulness of the people did not surprise God. It only gave Him an opportunity to show His grace in an evident manner.
To illustrate this, Paul refers to what the Scripture says in the history of Elijah (1Kings 18-19). Basically it came down to Elijah who was a hero on Mount Carmel where he stood up for God against the many false prophets who claimed Baal was God. The people were watching at a distance. Elijah gained a great victory for the LORD that day, and the people were shouting: “The LORD, He is God” [1Kgs 18:39].
But a little later when he was threatened with death by Jezebel, he fled to save his life. Having lost courage, he reached Horeb, the mount of God. There this man of God started accusing the people of Israel. He began to tell God all the things they had done wrong. He felt he was the only faithful one. And now they wanted to kill him too. Is this a good reason to accuse the people before God?
Do you recognize yourself in all this? I do. It is tremendous to live for the Lord and to be successful like Elijah at Mount Carmel. You hear the praise of the people. How wonderful! Then you’re threatened, ridiculed, laughed at, and you’re on the run. No one cares for you. How alone you feel when left on your own! ‘Well’, you say to God, ‘this is a nice mess; if this is the way it works, I’m no longer interested. I’m the only one who serves You faithfully. The others take it easy. And now they are even trying to silence me.’ And you are sure God agrees wholeheartedly. After all, you’re only telling the facts.
[Verse 4]. But listen to the Divine answer: “I will leave” or better “I have kept” [1Kgs 19:18]. Ouch! That hurts. God always has many more people who have remained faithful to Him than you and I think. In Elijah’s case there were 7,000. God says: “I have kept for Myself.” This means God has taken care of it.
[Verse 5-6]. I have applied Elijah’s history to you and me personally. But the aim of this quotation in Romans 11 is to show there is always a remnant of the people of Israel, according to the election of grace, even if we don’t see it. With this, God proves that even under judgment He must exercise on Israel, Israel’s rejection is not total. To make it even clearer, if there’s a remnant – and there is –, then it is by grace and not by works, which infers it is not by any merit of that remnant.
Did you know this reference to Elijah’s accusations is the only time an Old Testament believer’s sin is referred to in the New Testament? However, this shouldn’t cause us look down on Elijah. He remains a wonderful example of the courage of faith. After all, he stood firm against all those idolatrous priests while not one of the 7,000 was anywhere to be found.
But as soon as he began to exalt himself for his faithfulness and started accusing others before God, he was set right by God. Accusing is a sin we all easily commit, but it is satan’s work. In Revelation 12 satan is called “the accuser of our brethren” [Rev 12:10]. If we see unfaithfulness with our brothers and sisters, let us rather do what the Lord Jesus does. He is the One Who prays for us, going to God for those who are His to ask Him to help them to become faithful again.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Paul the apostle wonders, has God refused His people? Has He shut the door of salvation before whoever of the Jews desired to believe in Him? And if God has refused the Jews as a nation which held fast to the , Moses' law as the sole means of salvation, would God reject any Jew who denies his Jewish faith and recognize the true concept of salvation and accept and believe in Christ as Savior? Does not anyone of mankind have the right to believe in Christ? The apostle Paul affirms that God does not cast away His people but opens all the time a door of salvation for them.
Samuel the prophet said to the people, "For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people ... Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart ..." [1Sam 12:22-24] And David the prophet says, "For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance." [Ps 94:14])
The apostle Paul presented himself as evidence that God never shut the door of salvation before whoever of the Jews desired to believe. Paul the apostle was an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin, and in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians he asserted that he belonged to the Israelites, saying, "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I." [2Cor 11:22] And in his Epistle to the Philippians he said, "... circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews." [Phil 3:5] So, it is not proper to say that God shuts the door of salvation before any person who desires to believe, because Paul the apostle whom God called to be an apostle for preaching His good tidings was an Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin. If God had deprived the Jews of the grace of believing in Christ, there would have not been any reason for choosing Paul the apostle for preaching on the name of Christ.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
God has not rejected his people, because Paul himself was one of them. If God had cast them off, he would not have chosen one of them as the one to whom he entrusted all his preaching, the affairs of the world, all the mysteries and the whole message of salvation.
Fearing once again that exaggerating the rejection of the Jews might lead to a choice of disobedience, Paul turns to the small remnant of the election—the apostles and their fellow believers. .
Wisely, Paul does not make the plight of Israel appear worse than it is. Even though he says that the nation is struggling in its blindness, he manages to say something positive at this point. .
Since Paul has shown that the people of Israel did not believe, now, in order that it should not be thought that he has said that they were all unbelievers, he shows that God has not rejected the inheritance which he promised to the descendants of Abraham. For he would not have promised them a kingdom if he knew that none of them would believe…. By using himself as an example, he shows that the part of Israel which God foreknew would be saved had in fact been saved and that the part which had been consigned to perdition because of its constant unbelief might yet be saved. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:2 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,
Therefore, we must understand the first part of the verse as follows: "God has not" completely "rejected His people, whom He foreknew." The situation is similar to the time of Elijah. The great majority of the people had turned from God to idols. Things were so bad that Elijah prayed "against Israel" instead of for Israel!
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 1]. After all that has preceded, you might wonder if God has totally rejected His people forever. This question gets the same clear answer from Paul: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” He can point to himself. He was an Israelite. He was of the seed of Abraham to whom God had given His promises. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, which had almost disappeared from among Israel because they refused to judge evil (Judges 19-21).
[Verse 2-3]. If God had rejected His people, there wouldn’t have been a place left for Paul. But no, God has not rejected His people as a whole. God knew His people in advance; the unfaithfulness of the people did not surprise God. It only gave Him an opportunity to show His grace in an evident manner.
To illustrate this, Paul refers to what the Scripture says in the history of Elijah (1Kings 18-19). Basically it came down to Elijah who was a hero on Mount Carmel where he stood up for God against the many false prophets who claimed Baal was God. The people were watching at a distance. Elijah gained a great victory for the LORD that day, and the people were shouting: “The LORD, He is God” [1Kgs 18:39].
But a little later when he was threatened with death by Jezebel, he fled to save his life. Having lost courage, he reached Horeb, the mount of God. There this man of God started accusing the people of Israel. He began to tell God all the things they had done wrong. He felt he was the only faithful one. And now they wanted to kill him too. Is this a good reason to accuse the people before God?
Do you recognize yourself in all this? I do. It is tremendous to live for the Lord and to be successful like Elijah at Mount Carmel. You hear the praise of the people. How wonderful! Then you’re threatened, ridiculed, laughed at, and you’re on the run. No one cares for you. How alone you feel when left on your own! ‘Well’, you say to God, ‘this is a nice mess; if this is the way it works, I’m no longer interested. I’m the only one who serves You faithfully. The others take it easy. And now they are even trying to silence me.’ And you are sure God agrees wholeheartedly. After all, you’re only telling the facts.
[Verse 4]. But listen to the Divine answer: “I will leave” or better “I have kept” [1Kgs 19:18]. Ouch! That hurts. God always has many more people who have remained faithful to Him than you and I think. In Elijah’s case there were 7,000. God says: “I have kept for Myself.” This means God has taken care of it.
[Verse 5-6]. I have applied Elijah’s history to you and me personally. But the aim of this quotation in Romans 11 is to show there is always a remnant of the people of Israel, according to the election of grace, even if we don’t see it. With this, God proves that even under judgment He must exercise on Israel, Israel’s rejection is not total. To make it even clearer, if there’s a remnant – and there is –, then it is by grace and not by works, which infers it is not by any merit of that remnant.
Did you know this reference to Elijah’s accusations is the only time an Old Testament believer’s sin is referred to in the New Testament? However, this shouldn’t cause us look down on Elijah. He remains a wonderful example of the courage of faith. After all, he stood firm against all those idolatrous priests while not one of the 7,000 was anywhere to be found.
But as soon as he began to exalt himself for his faithfulness and started accusing others before God, he was set right by God. Accusing is a sin we all easily commit, but it is satan’s work. In Revelation 12 satan is called “the accuser of our brethren” [Rev 12:10]. If we see unfaithfulness with our brothers and sisters, let us rather do what the Lord Jesus does. He is the One Who prays for us, going to God for those who are His to ask Him to help them to become faithful again.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle Paul presented another evidence, that God did not refuse His people whom He foreknew and who lay their hope at present on the promises of the past, what happened in the days of Elijah the prophet. Elijah saw only the dark image of God's people who became murderers of the prophets, pulled down the altars, and were seeking Elijah to kill him. But the divine inspiration indicated to Elijah that some of God's people had not yet fallen a prey of straying, for God has reserved for Himself seven thousand knees who had not bowed to Baal. So, what happened in the past may happen at any time, and as God had reserved for Himself seven thousand men, also at present God may reserve a remnant according to the election of His grace. This phrase indicates that such a remnant has obtained justification as a gift from God. This fact is explained by the apostle in the following verses: "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work." [Verse 6]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 2-5
2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
Please log in to use all functions!
There are currently no tags for this verse.
Romans 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
He reminded the "Lord" how His people had silenced the "prophets" by killing them. They had torn down God's "altars." It seemed to him that he was the only faithful advocate for God and that his "life" was in immediate danger.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 1]. After all that has preceded, you might wonder if God has totally rejected His people forever. This question gets the same clear answer from Paul: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” He can point to himself. He was an Israelite. He was of the seed of Abraham to whom God had given His promises. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, which had almost disappeared from among Israel because they refused to judge evil (Judges 19-21).
[Verse 2-3]. If God had rejected His people, there wouldn’t have been a place left for Paul. But no, God has not rejected His people as a whole. God knew His people in advance; the unfaithfulness of the people did not surprise God. It only gave Him an opportunity to show His grace in an evident manner.
To illustrate this, Paul refers to what the Scripture says in the history of Elijah (1Kings 18-19). Basically it came down to Elijah who was a hero on Mount Carmel where he stood up for God against the many false prophets who claimed Baal was God. The people were watching at a distance. Elijah gained a great victory for the LORD that day, and the people were shouting: “The LORD, He is God” [1Kgs 18:39].
But a little later when he was threatened with death by Jezebel, he fled to save his life. Having lost courage, he reached Horeb, the mount of God. There this man of God started accusing the people of Israel. He began to tell God all the things they had done wrong. He felt he was the only faithful one. And now they wanted to kill him too. Is this a good reason to accuse the people before God?
Do you recognize yourself in all this? I do. It is tremendous to live for the Lord and to be successful like Elijah at Mount Carmel. You hear the praise of the people. How wonderful! Then you’re threatened, ridiculed, laughed at, and you’re on the run. No one cares for you. How alone you feel when left on your own! ‘Well’, you say to God, ‘this is a nice mess; if this is the way it works, I’m no longer interested. I’m the only one who serves You faithfully. The others take it easy. And now they are even trying to silence me.’ And you are sure God agrees wholeheartedly. After all, you’re only telling the facts.
[Verse 4]. But listen to the Divine answer: “I will leave” or better “I have kept” [1Kgs 19:18]. Ouch! That hurts. God always has many more people who have remained faithful to Him than you and I think. In Elijah’s case there were 7,000. God says: “I have kept for Myself.” This means God has taken care of it.
[Verse 5-6]. I have applied Elijah’s history to you and me personally. But the aim of this quotation in Romans 11 is to show there is always a remnant of the people of Israel, according to the election of grace, even if we don’t see it. With this, God proves that even under judgment He must exercise on Israel, Israel’s rejection is not total. To make it even clearer, if there’s a remnant – and there is –, then it is by grace and not by works, which infers it is not by any merit of that remnant.
Did you know this reference to Elijah’s accusations is the only time an Old Testament believer’s sin is referred to in the New Testament? However, this shouldn’t cause us look down on Elijah. He remains a wonderful example of the courage of faith. After all, he stood firm against all those idolatrous priests while not one of the 7,000 was anywhere to be found.
But as soon as he began to exalt himself for his faithfulness and started accusing others before God, he was set right by God. Accusing is a sin we all easily commit, but it is satan’s work. In Revelation 12 satan is called “the accuser of our brethren” [Rev 12:10]. If we see unfaithfulness with our brothers and sisters, let us rather do what the Lord Jesus does. He is the One Who prays for us, going to God for those who are His to ask Him to help them to become faithful again.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle Paul presented another evidence, that God did not refuse His people whom He foreknew and who lay their hope at present on the promises of the past, what happened in the days of Elijah the prophet. Elijah saw only the dark image of God's people who became murderers of the prophets, pulled down the altars, and were seeking Elijah to kill him. But the divine inspiration indicated to Elijah that some of God's people had not yet fallen a prey of straying, for God has reserved for Himself seven thousand knees who had not bowed to Baal. So, what happened in the past may happen at any time, and as God had reserved for Himself seven thousand men, also at present God may reserve a remnant according to the election of His grace. This phrase indicates that such a remnant has obtained justification as a gift from God. This fact is explained by the apostle in the following verses: "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work." [Verse 6]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 2-5
2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:4 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.
But the situation was not as dark and hopeless as Elijah feared. God reminded the prophet that He had kept for Himself "seven thousand men" who steadfastly refused to follow the people in worshipping "Baal."
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 1]. After all that has preceded, you might wonder if God has totally rejected His people forever. This question gets the same clear answer from Paul: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” He can point to himself. He was an Israelite. He was of the seed of Abraham to whom God had given His promises. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, which had almost disappeared from among Israel because they refused to judge evil (Judges 19-21).
[Verse 2-3]. If God had rejected His people, there wouldn’t have been a place left for Paul. But no, God has not rejected His people as a whole. God knew His people in advance; the unfaithfulness of the people did not surprise God. It only gave Him an opportunity to show His grace in an evident manner.
To illustrate this, Paul refers to what the Scripture says in the history of Elijah (1Kings 18-19). Basically it came down to Elijah who was a hero on Mount Carmel where he stood up for God against the many false prophets who claimed Baal was God. The people were watching at a distance. Elijah gained a great victory for the LORD that day, and the people were shouting: “The LORD, He is God” [1Kgs 18:39].
But a little later when he was threatened with death by Jezebel, he fled to save his life. Having lost courage, he reached Horeb, the mount of God. There this man of God started accusing the people of Israel. He began to tell God all the things they had done wrong. He felt he was the only faithful one. And now they wanted to kill him too. Is this a good reason to accuse the people before God?
Do you recognize yourself in all this? I do. It is tremendous to live for the Lord and to be successful like Elijah at Mount Carmel. You hear the praise of the people. How wonderful! Then you’re threatened, ridiculed, laughed at, and you’re on the run. No one cares for you. How alone you feel when left on your own! ‘Well’, you say to God, ‘this is a nice mess; if this is the way it works, I’m no longer interested. I’m the only one who serves You faithfully. The others take it easy. And now they are even trying to silence me.’ And you are sure God agrees wholeheartedly. After all, you’re only telling the facts.
[Verse 4]. But listen to the Divine answer: “I will leave” or better “I have kept” [1Kgs 19:18]. Ouch! That hurts. God always has many more people who have remained faithful to Him than you and I think. In Elijah’s case there were 7,000. God says: “I have kept for Myself.” This means God has taken care of it.
[Verse 5-6]. I have applied Elijah’s history to you and me personally. But the aim of this quotation in Romans 11 is to show there is always a remnant of the people of Israel, according to the election of grace, even if we don’t see it. With this, God proves that even under judgment He must exercise on Israel, Israel’s rejection is not total. To make it even clearer, if there’s a remnant – and there is –, then it is by grace and not by works, which infers it is not by any merit of that remnant.
Did you know this reference to Elijah’s accusations is the only time an Old Testament believer’s sin is referred to in the New Testament? However, this shouldn’t cause us look down on Elijah. He remains a wonderful example of the courage of faith. After all, he stood firm against all those idolatrous priests while not one of the 7,000 was anywhere to be found.
But as soon as he began to exalt himself for his faithfulness and started accusing others before God, he was set right by God. Accusing is a sin we all easily commit, but it is satan’s work. In Revelation 12 satan is called “the accuser of our brethren” [Rev 12:10]. If we see unfaithfulness with our brothers and sisters, let us rather do what the Lord Jesus does. He is the One Who prays for us, going to God for those who are His to ask Him to help them to become faithful again.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle Paul presented another evidence, that God did not refuse His people whom He foreknew and who lay their hope at present on the promises of the past, what happened in the days of Elijah the prophet. Elijah saw only the dark image of God's people who became murderers of the prophets, pulled down the altars, and were seeking Elijah to kill him. But the divine inspiration indicated to Elijah that some of God's people had not yet fallen a prey of straying, for God has reserved for Himself seven thousand knees who had not bowed to Baal. So, what happened in the past may happen at any time, and as God had reserved for Himself seven thousand men, also at present God may reserve a remnant according to the election of His grace. This phrase indicates that such a remnant has obtained justification as a gift from God. This fact is explained by the apostle in the following verses: "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work." [Verse 6]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 2-5
2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Nor did Samuel, who had done so many surprising things, disregard David the beloved of God: yet they were both prophets, and the one was high priest, and the other was king. And when there were only seven thousand holy men in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal,
This is clear, for Paul shows that not only Elijah remained as one devoted to God who did not worship idols, but that there were many who remained faithful to God, just as there were not a few Jews who believed in Christ. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
What was true then is also true today: God never allows there to be no witnesses for Him. He always has a faithful "remnant" chosen by Him as special recipients of His grace.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 1]. After all that has preceded, you might wonder if God has totally rejected His people forever. This question gets the same clear answer from Paul: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” He can point to himself. He was an Israelite. He was of the seed of Abraham to whom God had given His promises. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, which had almost disappeared from among Israel because they refused to judge evil (Judges 19-21).
[Verse 2-3]. If God had rejected His people, there wouldn’t have been a place left for Paul. But no, God has not rejected His people as a whole. God knew His people in advance; the unfaithfulness of the people did not surprise God. It only gave Him an opportunity to show His grace in an evident manner.
To illustrate this, Paul refers to what the Scripture says in the history of Elijah (1Kings 18-19). Basically it came down to Elijah who was a hero on Mount Carmel where he stood up for God against the many false prophets who claimed Baal was God. The people were watching at a distance. Elijah gained a great victory for the LORD that day, and the people were shouting: “The LORD, He is God” [1Kgs 18:39].
But a little later when he was threatened with death by Jezebel, he fled to save his life. Having lost courage, he reached Horeb, the mount of God. There this man of God started accusing the people of Israel. He began to tell God all the things they had done wrong. He felt he was the only faithful one. And now they wanted to kill him too. Is this a good reason to accuse the people before God?
Do you recognize yourself in all this? I do. It is tremendous to live for the Lord and to be successful like Elijah at Mount Carmel. You hear the praise of the people. How wonderful! Then you’re threatened, ridiculed, laughed at, and you’re on the run. No one cares for you. How alone you feel when left on your own! ‘Well’, you say to God, ‘this is a nice mess; if this is the way it works, I’m no longer interested. I’m the only one who serves You faithfully. The others take it easy. And now they are even trying to silence me.’ And you are sure God agrees wholeheartedly. After all, you’re only telling the facts.
[Verse 4]. But listen to the Divine answer: “I will leave” or better “I have kept” [1Kgs 19:18]. Ouch! That hurts. God always has many more people who have remained faithful to Him than you and I think. In Elijah’s case there were 7,000. God says: “I have kept for Myself.” This means God has taken care of it.
[Verse 5-6]. I have applied Elijah’s history to you and me personally. But the aim of this quotation in Romans 11 is to show there is always a remnant of the people of Israel, according to the election of grace, even if we don’t see it. With this, God proves that even under judgment He must exercise on Israel, Israel’s rejection is not total. To make it even clearer, if there’s a remnant – and there is –, then it is by grace and not by works, which infers it is not by any merit of that remnant.
Did you know this reference to Elijah’s accusations is the only time an Old Testament believer’s sin is referred to in the New Testament? However, this shouldn’t cause us look down on Elijah. He remains a wonderful example of the courage of faith. After all, he stood firm against all those idolatrous priests while not one of the 7,000 was anywhere to be found.
But as soon as he began to exalt himself for his faithfulness and started accusing others before God, he was set right by God. Accusing is a sin we all easily commit, but it is satan’s work. In Revelation 12 satan is called “the accuser of our brethren” [Rev 12:10]. If we see unfaithfulness with our brothers and sisters, let us rather do what the Lord Jesus does. He is the One Who prays for us, going to God for those who are His to ask Him to help them to become faithful again.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle Paul presented another evidence, that God did not refuse His people whom He foreknew and who lay their hope at present on the promises of the past, what happened in the days of Elijah the prophet. Elijah saw only the dark image of God's people who became murderers of the prophets, pulled down the altars, and were seeking Elijah to kill him. But the divine inspiration indicated to Elijah that some of God's people had not yet fallen a prey of straying, for God has reserved for Himself seven thousand knees who had not bowed to Baal. So, what happened in the past may happen at any time, and as God had reserved for Himself seven thousand men, also at present God may reserve a remnant according to the election of His grace. This phrase indicates that such a remnant has obtained justification as a gift from God. This fact is explained by the apostle in the following verses: "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work." [Verse 6]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 2-5
2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
The remnant of the Jews has proclaimed the sign of the Lord to all the Gentiles and has joined to God in one people, drawn to him, the souls of the Gentiles which are brought out of destruction to the knowledge of the Lord.
The “remnant” refers to the Jews who have believed in Christ. Many of them did believe in the days of the apostles, and even today there are some converts, though very few.
Even though many have fallen away, those whom God foreknew have remained in the promise of the law. For those who have accepted Christ as he was promised in the law have remained in the law, but those who rejected Christ have fallen away from it. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:6 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.
God chooses the members of this remnant not based on their "works," but as a result of His sovereignly chosen "grace." These two principles - works and grace - are mutually exclusive. A gift cannot be earned. What is received without payment cannot be bought. What is not worked for is undeserved. Fortunately, God's election was based on "grace" and not on "works," because otherwise no one could have been chosen.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-01-05 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 1]. After all that has preceded, you might wonder if God has totally rejected His people forever. This question gets the same clear answer from Paul: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” He can point to himself. He was an Israelite. He was of the seed of Abraham to whom God had given His promises. He was from the tribe of Benjamin, which had almost disappeared from among Israel because they refused to judge evil (Judges 19-21).
[Verse 2-3]. If God had rejected His people, there wouldn’t have been a place left for Paul. But no, God has not rejected His people as a whole. God knew His people in advance; the unfaithfulness of the people did not surprise God. It only gave Him an opportunity to show His grace in an evident manner.
To illustrate this, Paul refers to what the Scripture says in the history of Elijah (1Kings 18-19). Basically it came down to Elijah who was a hero on Mount Carmel where he stood up for God against the many false prophets who claimed Baal was God. The people were watching at a distance. Elijah gained a great victory for the LORD that day, and the people were shouting: “The LORD, He is God” [1Kgs 18:39].
But a little later when he was threatened with death by Jezebel, he fled to save his life. Having lost courage, he reached Horeb, the mount of God. There this man of God started accusing the people of Israel. He began to tell God all the things they had done wrong. He felt he was the only faithful one. And now they wanted to kill him too. Is this a good reason to accuse the people before God?
Do you recognize yourself in all this? I do. It is tremendous to live for the Lord and to be successful like Elijah at Mount Carmel. You hear the praise of the people. How wonderful! Then you’re threatened, ridiculed, laughed at, and you’re on the run. No one cares for you. How alone you feel when left on your own! ‘Well’, you say to God, ‘this is a nice mess; if this is the way it works, I’m no longer interested. I’m the only one who serves You faithfully. The others take it easy. And now they are even trying to silence me.’ And you are sure God agrees wholeheartedly. After all, you’re only telling the facts.
[Verse 4]. But listen to the Divine answer: “I will leave” or better “I have kept” [1Kgs 19:18]. Ouch! That hurts. God always has many more people who have remained faithful to Him than you and I think. In Elijah’s case there were 7,000. God says: “I have kept for Myself.” This means God has taken care of it.
[Verse 5-6]. I have applied Elijah’s history to you and me personally. But the aim of this quotation in Romans 11 is to show there is always a remnant of the people of Israel, according to the election of grace, even if we don’t see it. With this, God proves that even under judgment He must exercise on Israel, Israel’s rejection is not total. To make it even clearer, if there’s a remnant – and there is –, then it is by grace and not by works, which infers it is not by any merit of that remnant.
Did you know this reference to Elijah’s accusations is the only time an Old Testament believer’s sin is referred to in the New Testament? However, this shouldn’t cause us look down on Elijah. He remains a wonderful example of the courage of faith. After all, he stood firm against all those idolatrous priests while not one of the 7,000 was anywhere to be found.
But as soon as he began to exalt himself for his faithfulness and started accusing others before God, he was set right by God. Accusing is a sin we all easily commit, but it is satan’s work. In Revelation 12 satan is called “the accuser of our brethren” [Rev 12:10]. If we see unfaithfulness with our brothers and sisters, let us rather do what the Lord Jesus does. He is the One Who prays for us, going to God for those who are His to ask Him to help them to become faithful again.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
So, if this remnant had been elected according the grace, it means that the election was not as a reward for works. Otherwise the grace would have lost its characteristic as grace, and the gift would not have been for free, and moreover, the gift would have been given to mankind undeservedly. Also if the election for this remnant had been for good works they had done, the grace would no longer be grace, for in this case they would receive the reward of their works, not as a free gift.
So then, if the salvation of Israel was based on faith, what was the stand of Israel concerning the call for salvation? The apostle Paul says:
"What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded." [Verse 7]
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
If we are all saved by grace, some might argue, why is everyone not saved? ‘Because they did not want to be’ is the answer. For grace, even though it is grace, saves the willing, not those who refuse it and turn away from it.
Grace is given not because we have done good works but in order that we may have power to do them, not because we have fulfilled the law but in order that we may be able to fulfill it.
It is clear that because grace is the gift of God there is no reward due for works, but it is granted freely because of the free mercy which intervenes. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
The conclusion, therefore, is that "Israel" could not attain righteousness because they tried to achieve it through their own efforts instead of through the finished work of Christ. The remnant, chosen by God, was able to attain righteousness through faith in the Lord Jesus. The people were struck with what we might call "judicial blindness." The refusal to accept the Messiah led to the people becoming increasingly unable and unwilling to accept Him.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
What is the thing which Israel sought but did not attain? The apostle referred to this in Chapter (9) of the present Epistle, saying, "Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness." [Rom 9:31] This means that Israel missed the opportunity of benefiting from God's promises by seeking to be justified by the works of the law without faith in Christ. Nevertheless, some Israelites believed in Christ and obtained this justification; those are the elect from among the Israelites, the rest who are not elected, became hardhearted or blinded due to lack of faith. They lost the grace of salvation by faith.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Israel tried to find righteousness in the type which was the law but did not obtain it. However, those who were sealed were elected and did obtain it on account of their belief, being justified by their faith. The rest were blinded, being hardened and rebellious. .
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
This is exactly the development that the Old Testament predicted [Isa 29:10]; [Deut 29:3]. "God" put them into a state of "slumber" in which they can no longer recognize spiritual realities. Because they refused to see the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, they have now lost the ability to "see" Him. Because they did not want to listen to the pleading voice of God, they were struck with spiritual deafness. This terrible judgment persists "to this day."
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
This hardheartedness which the Jews demonstrated suddenly towards the Israelites by refusing to believe in Him, had been mentioned by the prophets of the Old Testament. Therefore the apostle referred to the words spoken on the mouth of Moses the prophet in Deuteronomy, and those on the mouth of Isaiah the prophet. Moses the prophet speaking about the hardheartedness of the Israelites as revealed always in the spirit of suspicion and doubt and lack of faith in spite of the great words done by the Lord for them, said, "You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land - the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great wonders. Yet the Lord has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or similar drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God. And when you came to this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we conquered them. We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh." [Deut 29:2-8] Actually the works done by the Lord Christ for the Jews and in front of them were not less than God's works for them in the Old Testament, but with the same spirit of obstinacy, doubt and suspicion they refused to believe in the Lord Christ.
And the prophet Isaiah said, "For the Lord has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers. The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, 'Read this, please.' And he says, 'I cannot, for it is sealed.'" [Isa 29:10-12]
These words of Isaiah the prophet were quoted or referred to by the apostle Paul to assert the spirit of stupor and insensibility which the people had, which made them not affected by the word of God preached to them. This was due to their hardheartedness and the spirit of obstinacy and resistance to faith. But we should not take the words of the apostle "God has given them the spirit of stupor" to mean that God was the cause of their straying, for this was totally due to them. As for the words, "eyes that they should not see," they mean that the eyes of this people though have apparent sight and see God's works they do not comprehend their meaning and significance. The same goes for the words, "ears that they should not hear," they mean that they hear God's words, but like any deaf person, they do not understand – even unto the present day – the meaning and significance of God's words.
Again the apostle Paul refers to the words of David the prophet: "Let their table become a snare before them, and their well-being a trap." [Ps 69:22] The table here refers to the slackness of the Jews and their being convinced with the law and its contents, relying on the worship deeds. These deeds would be for them a snare and a trap, for they would be exposed to punishment. The law will be the cause of judging and condemning them. Then at the end of this part of the words of the apostle about the Jews, he says, "Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always." The apostle here refers to the same Psalm where David the prophet says, "Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; and make their loins shake continually." [Ps 69:23] It means that darkness overshadow the minds so they will not understand, but will be under the slavery of sin, i.e., the sin of lack of faith, which burdens them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-10
8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
These are the carnal Israelites who thought they were justified by the law and did not realize that they were justified by faith before God, because through the law they were all guilty. Those who were blinded were those who were unable to see the way of truth which in their wickedness they had rejected and gone away from so that they could no longer come to the grace of salvation. The examples taken from the prophets reveal that there are two kinds of blind people. The first kind consists of those who are blinded forever, who will never be saved. These people are of such evil will that they knowingly say that they do not know what they hear…. The second type consists of those who, although they try to live according to the law, do not accept the righteousness of Christ. These people are doing this not out of the envy of an evil will but by an erroneous imitation of the tradition of their ancestors. They are blinded for a time, for although they ought to recognize the great works of Christ which cannot be ignored…. They have forgotten God and follow human opinions instead. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
David also foresaw the judgment upon Israel. In [Ps 69:23-24], he described the rejected Savior, urging God to make their "table... a snare and a trap." The "table" here represents all the privileges and blessings that Israel received through Christ. What should have been a blessing to them has become a curse for the Israelites.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
This hardheartedness which the Jews demonstrated suddenly towards the Israelites by refusing to believe in Him, had been mentioned by the prophets of the Old Testament. Therefore the apostle referred to the words spoken on the mouth of Moses the prophet in Deuteronomy, and those on the mouth of Isaiah the prophet. Moses the prophet speaking about the hardheartedness of the Israelites as revealed always in the spirit of suspicion and doubt and lack of faith in spite of the great words done by the Lord for them, said, "You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land - the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great wonders. Yet the Lord has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or similar drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God. And when you came to this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we conquered them. We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh." [Deut 29:2-8] Actually the works done by the Lord Christ for the Jews and in front of them were not less than God's works for them in the Old Testament, but with the same spirit of obstinacy, doubt and suspicion they refused to believe in the Lord Christ.
And the prophet Isaiah said, "For the Lord has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers. The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, 'Read this, please.' And he says, 'I cannot, for it is sealed.'" [Isa 29:10-12]
These words of Isaiah the prophet were quoted or referred to by the apostle Paul to assert the spirit of stupor and insensibility which the people had, which made them not affected by the word of God preached to them. This was due to their hardheartedness and the spirit of obstinacy and resistance to faith. But we should not take the words of the apostle "God has given them the spirit of stupor" to mean that God was the cause of their straying, for this was totally due to them. As for the words, "eyes that they should not see," they mean that the eyes of this people though have apparent sight and see God's works they do not comprehend their meaning and significance. The same goes for the words, "ears that they should not hear," they mean that they hear God's words, but like any deaf person, they do not understand – even unto the present day – the meaning and significance of God's words.
Again the apostle Paul refers to the words of David the prophet: "Let their table become a snare before them, and their well-being a trap." [Ps 69:22] The table here refers to the slackness of the Jews and their being convinced with the law and its contents, relying on the worship deeds. These deeds would be for them a snare and a trap, for they would be exposed to punishment. The law will be the cause of judging and condemning them. Then at the end of this part of the words of the apostle about the Jews, he says, "Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always." The apostle here refers to the same Psalm where David the prophet says, "Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; and make their loins shake continually." [Ps 69:23] It means that darkness overshadow the minds so they will not understand, but will be under the slavery of sin, i.e., the sin of lack of faith, which burdens them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-10
8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
He curses the feast of the wicked because the innocent are often deceived there. They are tricked into coming to dinner so that they may be ruined. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
In this Psalm verse, the suffering Savior urges God to "darken their eyes" and bend their "backs" so that they appear burdened by a great load, struggling or aged.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-10
1I 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.2God 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,3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But 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.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.6And 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.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
This hardheartedness which the Jews demonstrated suddenly towards the Israelites by refusing to believe in Him, had been mentioned by the prophets of the Old Testament. Therefore the apostle referred to the words spoken on the mouth of Moses the prophet in Deuteronomy, and those on the mouth of Isaiah the prophet. Moses the prophet speaking about the hardheartedness of the Israelites as revealed always in the spirit of suspicion and doubt and lack of faith in spite of the great words done by the Lord for them, said, "You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land - the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great wonders. Yet the Lord has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or similar drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God. And when you came to this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we conquered them. We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh." [Deut 29:2-8] Actually the works done by the Lord Christ for the Jews and in front of them were not less than God's works for them in the Old Testament, but with the same spirit of obstinacy, doubt and suspicion they refused to believe in the Lord Christ.
And the prophet Isaiah said, "For the Lord has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers. The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, 'Read this, please.' And he says, 'I cannot, for it is sealed.'" [Isa 29:10-12]
These words of Isaiah the prophet were quoted or referred to by the apostle Paul to assert the spirit of stupor and insensibility which the people had, which made them not affected by the word of God preached to them. This was due to their hardheartedness and the spirit of obstinacy and resistance to faith. But we should not take the words of the apostle "God has given them the spirit of stupor" to mean that God was the cause of their straying, for this was totally due to them. As for the words, "eyes that they should not see," they mean that the eyes of this people though have apparent sight and see God's works they do not comprehend their meaning and significance. The same goes for the words, "ears that they should not hear," they mean that they hear God's words, but like any deaf person, they do not understand – even unto the present day – the meaning and significance of God's words.
Again the apostle Paul refers to the words of David the prophet: "Let their table become a snare before them, and their well-being a trap." [Ps 69:22] The table here refers to the slackness of the Jews and their being convinced with the law and its contents, relying on the worship deeds. These deeds would be for them a snare and a trap, for they would be exposed to punishment. The law will be the cause of judging and condemning them. Then at the end of this part of the words of the apostle about the Jews, he says, "Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always." The apostle here refers to the same Psalm where David the prophet says, "Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; and make their loins shake continually." [Ps 69:23] It means that darkness overshadow the minds so they will not understand, but will be under the slavery of sin, i.e., the sin of lack of faith, which burdens them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-10
8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-11 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Behold mercy and judgment—mercy on the elect, who have obtained the righteousness of God, but judgment upon the others who have been blinded. And yet the former have believed because they willed it, while the latter have not believed because they have not willed it. Hence mercy and judgment were executed in their own wills.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:11 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.
Paul now poses another question: "Did they stumble so as to fall?" Into the second part of the question, we must insert the words permanently or forever. Did they stumble so as to fall and never rise again? The apostle vehemently denies such an idea. God's goal is always the restoration of the sinner. His aim is that through the fall of the Israelites, "salvation" might come to "the Gentiles" and thus provoke Israel to "jealousy." This "jealousy" is intended to eventually bring Israel back to God.
Paul does not deny Israel's fall but describes it precisely in this verse—"but through their fall, salvation has come to the Gentiles." In the next verse, he says, "But if their fall means riches for the world..." Yet he strongly opposes the notion that God's dealings with Israel are permanently concluded.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Though the Israelites bear all the responsibility for the sin of rejecting faith, they did not stumble that they should remain falling with no hope of rising. But the fall was to provoke their jealousy when they see the Gentiles advanced to attain salvation and the inheritance of the kingdom. Seeing this, they would try again to return and seek faith in Christ. The fall therefore can be a cause and impetus for raising jealousy within the Israelites to feel their fault and the losses incurred due to rejecting faith. So they would try to rise from their fall, especially after seeing the gentiles – who were not of God's people – have attained the righteousness which the Israelites had sought and did not attain. God actually had warned them in the Old Testament, as in the Book of Deuteronomy: "And when the Lord saw it, He spurned them, because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters. And He said: 'I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith. They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation." [Deut 29:19-21]
In this way Paul and Barnabas addressed the Jews publicly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.' Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." [Acts 13:46-48]
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Permitted the inversion: only that (in that case) the concluding paragraph would oppose them; for it will he fitting for the Christian to rejoice, and not to grieve, at the restoration of Israel, if it he true, (as it is), that the whole of our hope is intimately united with the remaining expectation of Israel.
Author: Tertullian of Carthage Rank: Author AD: 220
After showing that the Jews were guilty of evils without number, Paul devises something in mitigation. Note that he accuses them on the basis of the prophets but modifies the condemnation by his own words. For nobody will deny that they have sinned greatly. But let us see if the fall is of such a kind as to be incurable…. No, it is not! Homilies on Romans
I marvel at your kindness, Paul, and the way in which you so artfully craft the words of the divine dispensation. You assert that the Gentiles were called not because the Israelites had lost all hope of salvation after they had stumbled on Christ the stumbling stone but rather that they would imitate those who were so unexpectedly accepted by God, that they would recognize their wickedness, that they would want to understand better than before and that they would accept the redeemer. .
Paul says that the Jews have not fallen but rather that their fall was not pointless, since it led to the salvation of the Gentiles. The Jews did not sin only to fall as a punishment but so that their fall might serve the salvation of the Gentiles. Paul even begins to praise the Jewish people for this fall of unbelief, in order that the Gentiles should not become proud, seeing that the fall of the Jews was so important for their own salvation. On the contrary, the Gentiles ought to be all the more careful, lest they too should grow proud and fall also.
Paul says here what I have recorded above, that these people have not fallen into unbelief in such a way as to make their ultimate conversion impossible. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:12 Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
The consequence of Israel's rejection of the Gospel was that, as a nation, they were set aside, and the Gospel reached the "Gentiles." In this respect, Israel's "fall" meant "riches for the world," and Israel's loss became the Gentiles' gain.
But if this is true, "how much more" will the restoration of Israel be a blessing for the world! When Israel turns to the Lord at the end of the Great Tribulation, this nation will become a channel of blessing for the nations.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
God's word is certainly fruitful and never returns void. So when the Jews rejected faith in Christ and closed the door of salvation before themselves, God's word went to the Gentiles and preaching bore fruit, for many believed. But though the faith of the Gentiles came due to the unbelief of the Jews, and though the fall of the Jews and their failure were riches for the world and the Gentiles, it would be better and more useful if the Jews believed in Christ, or rather if faith spread among all mankind. If the fall of Israel brought fruit to the world, and their failure in the spiritual life have caused many gifts to the Gentiles, how much rather if all the Jews, with all their numbers, believe! This would be a cause of multiple blessings and many gifts.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Even if the Jews had fallen a thousand times, the Gentiles would not have been saved unless they had shown faith. Likewise, the Jews would not have perished unless they had been unbelieving and disputatious. Here Paul is consoling the Jews in their distress, giving them reason to be confident of their salvation if they were to change.
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Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
The apostle addresses the "Gentiles," that is, the non-Jews, in [Rom 11:13-24]. Some interpreters believe he is speaking to the Gentile Christians in Rome, but these words require a different audience—the Gentile nations as such. It will help us understand this passage if we recognize that Paul is speaking about Israel as a nation and the Gentiles as such. He is not speaking about the Church of God; otherwise, we would face the possibility that the Church could be "cut off" [Rom 11:22], which is not scriptural.
Since Paul was "the apostle to the Gentiles," it was quite natural for him to speak very openly to them. In doing so, he was simply fulfilling his "ministry."
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle Paul assured the Christians from the Gentiles that his views about the Jews would not make him forget his responsibility for the Gentiles, because he had been appointed to preach to the Gentiles. He therefore magnified his ministry and did his best so that it might be fruitful.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Paul is showing the Gentiles here how much he loves the Jews. For he magnifies his ministry, by which he is the apostle of the Gentiles, if by loving his own people he wins them to the faith as well. For he is more honored still if he wins to eternal life those to whom he has not been sent. For he who finds his lost brothers will have the greatest honor with his parents. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
He also tried in every possible way to "provoke" his fellow countrymen "to jealousy," so that he might be used by God to "save some of them." He and we know that he could not save anyone by himself. Yet, the God of salvation identifies so closely with His servants that He allows them to claim things that only He can accomplish.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 7]. If God elects a remnant, it is by grace, not because that remnant deserves anything. This is how it was with you. Israel looked for an opportunity to build up its righteousness before God, but they didn’t receive it because they failed. God has given this grace to the elect. All others have been hardened. God only hardens someone if not a single opportunity to bring someone to repentance is left.
[Verse 8-10]. In a threefold testimony from the Old Testament, Paul makes this hardening evident. He quotes texts from the prophets [Isa 29:10], the law [Deut 29:4] and the Psalms [Ps 69:22-23]. In Isaiah and Deuteronomy it is God Who exercises this judgment of hardening by giving “them a spirit of stupor”. God’s patience will end. In Psalm 69 David asks for God’s judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
Such statements are not fitting for us. We live in the time of grace and we ought to ask God to forgive our enemies. This is what the Lord Jesus prayed while on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. Therefore, grace can be offered now to the worst of sinners. Of these, Paul considers himself the most prominent example. He says that to him, the foremost or chief of all sinners, mercy was shown [1Tim 1:13-16]. To the remnant grace has been shown through the intercession of the Lord Jesus at the cross according to the election of grace. But all others will fall under the judgment that God must bring over them because they put the Lord Jesus to death.
It was proper for His earthly people (in the Old Testament as well as in the future when the church has been taken up) to ask God to punish evil. And God will do that. He is the God of justice Who will bring about this justice for His elect. Later, when in the great tribulation (the church having been taken up and we thus in heaven), the believing remnant will suffer terrible persecution and the Lord Jesus will return to earth to save them [Zech 12:1-4]; [Zech 14:1-4]. He will do this by judging the persecutors. In many psalms the feelings of the believers in those future days resound with their desire for deliverance, imploring God to judge their enemies. In essence, this is what David does here.
[Verse 11]. Now you may wonder if all this happened to Israel with the goal of allowing them to fall. But once again this idea is taken away when Paul says: “May it never be!” or: “Certainly not!” They didn’t stumble to be rejected. But once they had stumbled, God offered His grace to the nations. He did so with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy. You must not restrict the sense of jealousy to a grudge, as if Israel would envy the nations because grace was offered to them. The sense is, it would cause Israel to long for the salvation that was offered to the nations.
[Verse 12]. It is good to realize these riches have come to us as a consequence of Israel’s transgression. Salvation wasn’t offered to us because we were better in any respect. It is through Israel’s transgression and loss, which is negative, that such riches have gone out toward the world. What blessing for the world then will result from Israel’s conversion and restoration! Then a wonderful blessing will go out from this people in which all the nations will share. This will be the situation during the millennial reign of Christ [Rev 20:4].
[Verse 13-14]. Although Paul was the apostle to the nations, he was still connected with his people in both heart and soul. He had an eye for their present state of hardening. He also had an eye for their future restoration. His commitment in his Lord’s service was closely connected with these people.
When he speaks of “some of them”, this means he didn’t think he could bring all the people to conversion. He saw it as a magnification of his service if he could save “some” out of Israel. The individuals who are now converted out of Israel form the remnant according to the election of grace in this present day.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 7-14
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle here expresses his hope that his ministry to the Gentiles and his attempts to attract many of the idolaters would provoke the jealousy of the Israelites. So, in this way, through his preaching to the Gentiles and their conversion the opportunity would be available to provoke his relatives the Israelites that they might move towards seeking salvation in Christ.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Paul appears to be blaming the Gentiles and to be humbling their conceits, but he gives a gentle provocation to the Jews as well. He tries to veil their great ruin, but he cannot do so because the facts are too clear.
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Romans 11:15 For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?
This verse reiterates the argument of [Verse 12] in different words. When Israel, God's chosen earthly people, was set aside, the Gentiles were given the privileged position before God. Thus, they received reconciliation in a figurative sense. When Israel is eventually restored during the Millennium, this process will be akin to a worldwide spiritual renewal or a resurrection.
This can be illustrated by the experience of Jonah, who was a picture of the people of Israel. When Jonah was thrown overboard by the sailors during the storm, it led to the salvation or deliverance of an entire ship full of Gentiles. But when Jonah was restored and preached in Nineveh, an entire city of Gentiles was saved. Similarly, God's temporary setting aside of Israel has resulted in the Gospel being preached to a relatively small number of Gentiles compared to what will happen later. But when Israel is restored, non-Jews will enter the Kingdom of God in large numbers.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 15]. The rejection of Israel meant the offer of atonement could go out to the world – to the nations, to the Gentiles. In 2 Corinthians 5 it says: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” [2Cor 5:19]. This does not say the whole world was reconciled to God; it is only true for those who acknowledge the necessity of Christ’s work of atonement for themselves.
There is no such thing as a universal reconciliation – that everyone, even the devil, will be saved. This idea is often justified by saying that God is a God of love, but don’t let yourself be fooled by this. The Bible speaks clearly enough of an everlasting judgment [Rev 20:11-15].
This verse in Romans 11 is about the place before God of both Israel and the world. At the moment, God is not publicly dealing with Israel as a nation. When Israel will be again accepted, this will be “life from the dead”. A description of this is found in Ezekiel 37 [Ezek 37:1-14].
[Verse 16]. God desires to have a people on earth to give testimony of Him and proclaim His virtues – these are all His outstanding features. In the past, Israel failed to give a testimony of the only true God, and even today they don’t do so. At the present time, this testimony should be given by Christians. But is professing Christianity doing a better job?
The portion from Romans [Rom 11:16] onward, is important. It teaches you to understand something of God’s dealing with professing Christianity. Both from Israel and from Christianity, God expected a testimony to be given of Him in this world.
Through the picture of the olive tree and its branches, Paul shows what came of that. In [Verse 16] we first read about the “first piece” or “first fruit” and the “lump”. The first fruit are the first fruits collected from the harvest. They are holy, which means separated to the Lord. From these first fruits, for example the first grains of wheat, dough is made. This dough would automatically be holy as well. This thought holds as well for a tree’s roots and branches. These two examples of the ‘first fruit’ and ‘lump’ and the ‘root’ and ‘branches’ speak of the fact that where the origin is holy, anything springing from this origin is also holy.
[Verse 17]. Next we see a wild olive tree of which branches are broken off to be grafted into the good, cultivated olive tree in [Verse 24]. In this way the branches of the wild olive tree could partake of the root and the fatness of the good olive tree. In addition, from the good olive tree, branches have been broken off. This was done to make room for the branches that had been broken off from the wild olive tree. By how Paul speaks of the branches, it is clear this is figurative language speaking of people.
Let’s go back now to [Verse 16]. The root represents the origin from which something grows and becomes visible on earth. In [Verse 17] the following picture then arises:
1. Some branches (= the unbelieving part of the people of Israel) are broken off (= being put aside by God).
2. Other branches remain (= the faithful remnant).
3. In the place of the branches that are broken off, branches of the wild olive tree (= the believers from among the Gentiles) have been grafted in.
4. As a result these Gentiles – who used to have no right to anything – could partake of the root and the fatness of the olive tree (= could partake of the promises and blessing that belonged to Abraham and his posterity).
It is important to realize that the subject here is God’s testimony on earth and how God judges it. Both Israel and Christianity are responsible for the testimony they show of God. God couldn’t maintain Israel as His witness. Christianity has replaced Israel as God’s witness on earth. But do Christians perform their task any better than Israel? This is what we will see in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 15-17
15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
If the rejection of the Jews and their refusal of faith had become a cause for the reconciliation of the world with God, how much rather would their acceptance of faith?! It would be life and spiritual rising from the dead to all, Jews and Gentiles. had the Jews accepted faith as the Gentiles did, the number of the faithful would have increased, comprising the Jews and the Gentiles together, and consequently the number of those who rise from the death by sin.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
This is why Paul worked so hard for the conversion of the Jews, since the handicap of their blindness will be removed at the time when their sin is paid for, so that they might receive the free exercise of their will. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.
Now Paul uses two images. The first image describes the "firstfruits dough" and the "lump," and the second the "root" and the "branches." The image of the "firstfruits dough" and the lump concerns the source from which the latter is made, not the fruit. In [Num 15:19-21], we read about a piece of dough that was sanctified to the Lord as a wave offering. The conclusion drawn here is that if the dough piece is sanctified to the Lord, then all the other dough produced from this piece is also holy.
The transfer happens as follows: The "firstfruits dough" is Abraham. He was holy in the sense that he was set apart for God. If that applied to him, then it also applied to his chosen descendants. They were set apart for an outward privileged position before God.
The second image deals with the "root" and the "branches." "If the root" is set apart, "so are the branches." Abraham is "the root" in the sense that he was the one chosen by God to be the patriarch of a new community that was to be distinct from other nations. If Abraham was set apart, then his descendants of the chosen line were as well.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 15]. The rejection of Israel meant the offer of atonement could go out to the world – to the nations, to the Gentiles. In 2 Corinthians 5 it says: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” [2Cor 5:19]. This does not say the whole world was reconciled to God; it is only true for those who acknowledge the necessity of Christ’s work of atonement for themselves.
There is no such thing as a universal reconciliation – that everyone, even the devil, will be saved. This idea is often justified by saying that God is a God of love, but don’t let yourself be fooled by this. The Bible speaks clearly enough of an everlasting judgment [Rev 20:11-15].
This verse in Romans 11 is about the place before God of both Israel and the world. At the moment, God is not publicly dealing with Israel as a nation. When Israel will be again accepted, this will be “life from the dead”. A description of this is found in Ezekiel 37 [Ezek 37:1-14].
[Verse 16]. God desires to have a people on earth to give testimony of Him and proclaim His virtues – these are all His outstanding features. In the past, Israel failed to give a testimony of the only true God, and even today they don’t do so. At the present time, this testimony should be given by Christians. But is professing Christianity doing a better job?
The portion from Romans [Rom 11:16] onward, is important. It teaches you to understand something of God’s dealing with professing Christianity. Both from Israel and from Christianity, God expected a testimony to be given of Him in this world.
Through the picture of the olive tree and its branches, Paul shows what came of that. In [Verse 16] we first read about the “first piece” or “first fruit” and the “lump”. The first fruit are the first fruits collected from the harvest. They are holy, which means separated to the Lord. From these first fruits, for example the first grains of wheat, dough is made. This dough would automatically be holy as well. This thought holds as well for a tree’s roots and branches. These two examples of the ‘first fruit’ and ‘lump’ and the ‘root’ and ‘branches’ speak of the fact that where the origin is holy, anything springing from this origin is also holy.
[Verse 17]. Next we see a wild olive tree of which branches are broken off to be grafted into the good, cultivated olive tree in [Verse 24]. In this way the branches of the wild olive tree could partake of the root and the fatness of the good olive tree. In addition, from the good olive tree, branches have been broken off. This was done to make room for the branches that had been broken off from the wild olive tree. By how Paul speaks of the branches, it is clear this is figurative language speaking of people.
Let’s go back now to [Verse 16]. The root represents the origin from which something grows and becomes visible on earth. In [Verse 17] the following picture then arises:
1. Some branches (= the unbelieving part of the people of Israel) are broken off (= being put aside by God).
2. Other branches remain (= the faithful remnant).
3. In the place of the branches that are broken off, branches of the wild olive tree (= the believers from among the Gentiles) have been grafted in.
4. As a result these Gentiles – who used to have no right to anything – could partake of the root and the fatness of the olive tree (= could partake of the promises and blessing that belonged to Abraham and his posterity).
It is important to realize that the subject here is God’s testimony on earth and how God judges it. Both Israel and Christianity are responsible for the testimony they show of God. God couldn’t maintain Israel as His witness. Christianity has replaced Israel as God’s witness on earth. But do Christians perform their task any better than Israel? This is what we will see in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 15-17
15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
With these words the apostle Paul expresses his hope that the Jews accept faith in the Lord Christ. For if the fathers and prophets of the Jews, whose example and steps they follow, had lived a holy life consecrated for God and obtained the blessing, so the lump – i.e. the whole Jewish nation – was appointed to be holy. And if the root, that is, the patriarchs of the Jews had been holy, the branches also of the root, that is, the Israelites, were to be holy.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Upon them, so that the branches could not be seen for the water; and after the branches had drunk it in, he said to me, "Let us go, and return after a few days, and inspect all the branches; for He who created this tree wishes all those to live who received branches
And that the Saviour received first-fruits of those whom He was to save, Paul declared when he said, "And if the first-fruits be holy, the lump is also holy"
“First fruits” and “root” both refer here to the patriarchs, the lawgiver and the prophets. “Lump” and “branches” refer to the whole of the Jewish people. .
It is clear that they are one and the same substance, so it is impossible for the offering to be holy and the lump unclean, given that the offering comes from the lump. Thus Paul shows that those whose ancestors believed cannot be regarded as unworthy to receive the faith, for if some of the Jews have believed, why can it not be said that the others may also believe? Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
The apostle now further develops his metaphor of the "root" and the "branches."
The branches that were "broken off" are a picture of the unbelieving part of the twelve tribes of Israel. Because they rejected the Messiah, their privileged position as God's chosen people was taken from them. But only "some of the branches" were removed. A remnant of the people, including Paul himself, had accepted the Lord.
The "wild olive tree" represents the Gentiles, who are seen here as a people. They were "grafted" into the olive tree.
The Gentiles thus share in "the root and fatness of the olive tree." The Gentiles now have the same privileged position that was originally given to Israel, and that the believing remnant of Israel still holds.
In light of this metaphor, it is important to recognize that the main trunk of the olive tree is not Israel, but God's line of blessing through the centuries. If the trunk were Israel, we would have the strange image of Israel being cut out of Israel and then grafted back in.
It is also important to remember that the "wild olive tree" is not the Church, but encompasses the Gentiles in general. Otherwise, the possibility would arise that genuine believers could lose their privileged position before God. However, Paul has already shown that this is impossible [Rom 8:38-39].
When we say that the trunk of the olive tree represents God's line of blessing through the centuries, the question arises: What do we mean by "line of blessing"? God chose to select certain people to occupy the position of special closeness to Him. They were to be set apart from the rest of the world and blessed with special privileges. They would enjoy a position we might today call "most-favored status." Throughout various historical ages, there has always been such a group of people who were "especially close" to God.
The people of Israel were at the beginning of this line of blessing. They were the chosen earthly people of God from ancient times. However, because the members of this people rejected the Messiah, "some of the branches were broken off," thus losing their position as the "privileged son." The Gentiles were "grafted" into the olive tree and, along with the believing Jews, became partakers of "the root and fatness" of this olive tree. The "root" points to Abraham, with whom the line of blessing began. The "fatness" of the olive tree refers to its fruitfulness—namely, its abundant olive harvest and the oil pressed from it. Here, the "fatness" represents the privileges obtained through union with the olive tree.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 15]. The rejection of Israel meant the offer of atonement could go out to the world – to the nations, to the Gentiles. In 2 Corinthians 5 it says: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” [2Cor 5:19]. This does not say the whole world was reconciled to God; it is only true for those who acknowledge the necessity of Christ’s work of atonement for themselves.
There is no such thing as a universal reconciliation – that everyone, even the devil, will be saved. This idea is often justified by saying that God is a God of love, but don’t let yourself be fooled by this. The Bible speaks clearly enough of an everlasting judgment [Rev 20:11-15].
This verse in Romans 11 is about the place before God of both Israel and the world. At the moment, God is not publicly dealing with Israel as a nation. When Israel will be again accepted, this will be “life from the dead”. A description of this is found in Ezekiel 37 [Ezek 37:1-14].
[Verse 16]. God desires to have a people on earth to give testimony of Him and proclaim His virtues – these are all His outstanding features. In the past, Israel failed to give a testimony of the only true God, and even today they don’t do so. At the present time, this testimony should be given by Christians. But is professing Christianity doing a better job?
The portion from Romans [Rom 11:16] onward, is important. It teaches you to understand something of God’s dealing with professing Christianity. Both from Israel and from Christianity, God expected a testimony to be given of Him in this world.
Through the picture of the olive tree and its branches, Paul shows what came of that. In [Verse 16] we first read about the “first piece” or “first fruit” and the “lump”. The first fruit are the first fruits collected from the harvest. They are holy, which means separated to the Lord. From these first fruits, for example the first grains of wheat, dough is made. This dough would automatically be holy as well. This thought holds as well for a tree’s roots and branches. These two examples of the ‘first fruit’ and ‘lump’ and the ‘root’ and ‘branches’ speak of the fact that where the origin is holy, anything springing from this origin is also holy.
[Verse 17]. Next we see a wild olive tree of which branches are broken off to be grafted into the good, cultivated olive tree in [Verse 24]. In this way the branches of the wild olive tree could partake of the root and the fatness of the good olive tree. In addition, from the good olive tree, branches have been broken off. This was done to make room for the branches that had been broken off from the wild olive tree. By how Paul speaks of the branches, it is clear this is figurative language speaking of people.
Let’s go back now to [Verse 16]. The root represents the origin from which something grows and becomes visible on earth. In [Verse 17] the following picture then arises:
1. Some branches (= the unbelieving part of the people of Israel) are broken off (= being put aside by God).
2. Other branches remain (= the faithful remnant).
3. In the place of the branches that are broken off, branches of the wild olive tree (= the believers from among the Gentiles) have been grafted in.
4. As a result these Gentiles – who used to have no right to anything – could partake of the root and the fatness of the olive tree (= could partake of the promises and blessing that belonged to Abraham and his posterity).
It is important to realize that the subject here is God’s testimony on earth and how God judges it. Both Israel and Christianity are responsible for the testimony they show of God. God couldn’t maintain Israel as His witness. Christianity has replaced Israel as God’s witness on earth. But do Christians perform their task any better than Israel? This is what we will see in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 15-17
15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle here is addressing the Gentiles, saying: if some branches (referring to the Jews) were broken off due to lack of faith and were separated from the holy root, and you (the Gentiles) who had been before like a wild unfruitful tree was grafted in the original tree and partake of its root and fatness, you must not boast of that. He refers here to the fact that the Gentiles had been in the beginning fruitless, for not being of God's people, but they joined and became members of the one church. The apostle Paul speaking of this in his Epistle to the Ephesians, says, "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh – who are called Un-circumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands – that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation ... Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God ..." [Eph 2:11-14], [Eph 2:19]
So, the Gentiles must not disdain the branches that had been broken off. The apostle Paul speaks to the Gentile, saying, if you want to boast you have to remember that you are not the root, and you do not support the root, that is, you do not feed it, but the opposite. It is the root that supports you, for you partake of its fatness. In other words, if you now enjoy the divine and heavenly blessings, it is due to the root in which you had been grafted, the fathers whom you joined. They have the credit for the blessings which you have obtained (see [John 4:22])
It appears from the words of the apostle Paul that some Christians of Gentile origin used to disdain the Jews.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 17-18
17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
If the wild olive takes kindly to the graft … it becomes a fruit bearing olive…. So likewise men shall be spiritual if they progress by faith to better things and receive the Spirit of God and bring forth the fruit. .
The graft uses as soil the tree in which it is engrafted. Now all the plants sprouted forth simultaneously in consequence of the divine order. Wherefore also, though the wild olive is wild, it crowns the Olympic victors…. Now we see that the wild trees attract more nutriment because they cannot ripen. The wild trees therefore have less power of secretion than those that are cultivated. And the cause of their wildness is the absence of the power of secretion. The engrafted olive accordingly receives more nutriment from its growing in the cultivated one, and it gets accustomed, as it were, to secrete the nutriment, becoming thus assimilated to the fatness of the cultivated tree.
Author: Clement Of Alexandria Rank: Author AD: 215
If some Jews have not believed, then they have been cut out of the promise…. The Gentiles, who were from a bad root, were grafted into a good tree, which is the opposite of what happens in agriculture, where it is the good branch which is grafted onto a bad root. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
But the Gentiles should "not" adopt an attitude toward the Jews as if they were holier than them, nor should they "boast" in any way of their imagined superiority. Any such boasting overlooks the fact that they originally did not belong to the line of blessing. Rather, it was the line of blessing that placed them where they are now and gave them their special privileged position.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 18]. We Christians are now the bearers of the testimony that God gives of Himself in this world. Israel has been put aside. There is a danger for us Christians to boast in the place God has given us. It is easy to feel we are better than Israel. Well, if you have some idea of the testimony that Christians give in the world, it wouldn’t even enter your mind to boast. Just think of countries where civil wars were and are fought between militant groups under outwardly-Christian religious names.
God in His grace gave this testimony to us instead of Israel. It’s only in this way that we have acquired the blessings which God wanted to give to His people. We, heathen by nature, had no right to anything. Remember, we don’t support the root, but the root is supporting us. God put unbelieving Israel aside and we have come in its place.
[Verse 19-20]. But remember why Israel was put aside. They lost this place on earth because of their unbelief. They rejected God and His Son. It’s not because we are better that we have taken their place. Yet, to be able to keep this place, we must remain standing in the truth of faith. Here faith is not our personal trust of faith. Here it’s not that we believe, but what we believe. To be maintained by God as His testimony on earth, Christianity must have an undiminished adherence to the Bible because therein is the truth of faith.
[Verse 21-22]. Now comes Paul’s warning for us not to be proud. Christianity as a whole shouldn’t think that God will maintain it. If they don’t fear Him, they will share in Israel’s fate. From other portions of Scripture, it is clear that professing Christianity as a whole also will become unfaithful and God will have to cut it off. This increasing unfaithfulness is already visible. In many denominations, doctrines are proclaimed about the work and Person of the Lord Jesus that are not scriptural.
More and more, Christendom is presented as a religion that is equal to other world religions. This hides the great difference between all other religions and Christendom. Christendom is the only religion to offer the solution for a lost man to become clean before God. This can only come through the Lord Jesus Who said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” [John 14:6]. This excludes every other possibility. The Lord Jesus is not merely one possibility among others. Christianity also is used to further political causes. The testimony of Who God is and Who the Lord Jesus is has been obscured by all this.
Man has been placed on earth to serve God. In the Bible the Christian has been given principles to know how to do this. It’s only by faith in the Lord Jesus and His completed work that he is able to do this. But faith is more and more evolving into something hollowed out. Professing Christianity has already given up the greater part of the truth of faith and will continue to do so until the complete giving up of the Christian faith will be the eventual result. Professing Christianity will not keep standing in the faith. This is what God’s Word teaches us.
So is it going wrong with you and me after all? In case this disturbs you, I will say something about it in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 18-22
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle here is addressing the Gentiles, saying: if some branches (referring to the Jews) were broken off due to lack of faith and were separated from the holy root, and you (the Gentiles) who had been before like a wild unfruitful tree was grafted in the original tree and partake of its root and fatness, you must not boast of that. He refers here to the fact that the Gentiles had been in the beginning fruitless, for not being of God's people, but they joined and became members of the one church. The apostle Paul speaking of this in his Epistle to the Ephesians, says, "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh – who are called Un-circumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands – that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation ... Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God ..." [Eph 2:11-14], [Eph 2:19]
So, the Gentiles must not disdain the branches that had been broken off. The apostle Paul speaks to the Gentile, saying, if you want to boast you have to remember that you are not the root, and you do not support the root, that is, you do not feed it, but the opposite. It is the root that supports you, for you partake of its fatness. In other words, if you now enjoy the divine and heavenly blessings, it is due to the root in which you had been grafted, the fathers whom you joined. They have the credit for the blessings which you have obtained (see [John 4:22])
It appears from the words of the apostle Paul that some Christians of Gentile origin used to disdain the Jews.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Whenever I see a synagogue, the thought of the apostle always comes to me—that we should not boast against the olive tree whose branches have been broken off but rather fear. For if the natural branches have been cut off, how much more we who have been grafted on the wild olive should fear, lest we become like them.
It displeases God if someone rejoices at the misfortune of others, as Solomon says. In any case, the Jews were not rejected for the sake of the Gentiles. Rather, it was because they were rejected that they gave an opportunity for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles. If you boast against those onto whose root you have been grafted, you insult the people who have accepted you so that you might be converted from bad to good. You will not continue like that if you destroy the thing on which you stand. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Paul anticipates that the hypothetical Gentile questioner he has been debating with here "says": "The Jewish 'branches were broken off so that I' and the other Gentile branches 'might be grafted in.'"
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 18]. We Christians are now the bearers of the testimony that God gives of Himself in this world. Israel has been put aside. There is a danger for us Christians to boast in the place God has given us. It is easy to feel we are better than Israel. Well, if you have some idea of the testimony that Christians give in the world, it wouldn’t even enter your mind to boast. Just think of countries where civil wars were and are fought between militant groups under outwardly-Christian religious names.
God in His grace gave this testimony to us instead of Israel. It’s only in this way that we have acquired the blessings which God wanted to give to His people. We, heathen by nature, had no right to anything. Remember, we don’t support the root, but the root is supporting us. God put unbelieving Israel aside and we have come in its place.
[Verse 19-20]. But remember why Israel was put aside. They lost this place on earth because of their unbelief. They rejected God and His Son. It’s not because we are better that we have taken their place. Yet, to be able to keep this place, we must remain standing in the truth of faith. Here faith is not our personal trust of faith. Here it’s not that we believe, but what we believe. To be maintained by God as His testimony on earth, Christianity must have an undiminished adherence to the Bible because therein is the truth of faith.
[Verse 21-22]. Now comes Paul’s warning for us not to be proud. Christianity as a whole shouldn’t think that God will maintain it. If they don’t fear Him, they will share in Israel’s fate. From other portions of Scripture, it is clear that professing Christianity as a whole also will become unfaithful and God will have to cut it off. This increasing unfaithfulness is already visible. In many denominations, doctrines are proclaimed about the work and Person of the Lord Jesus that are not scriptural.
More and more, Christendom is presented as a religion that is equal to other world religions. This hides the great difference between all other religions and Christendom. Christendom is the only religion to offer the solution for a lost man to become clean before God. This can only come through the Lord Jesus Who said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” [John 14:6]. This excludes every other possibility. The Lord Jesus is not merely one possibility among others. Christianity also is used to further political causes. The testimony of Who God is and Who the Lord Jesus is has been obscured by all this.
Man has been placed on earth to serve God. In the Bible the Christian has been given principles to know how to do this. It’s only by faith in the Lord Jesus and His completed work that he is able to do this. But faith is more and more evolving into something hollowed out. Professing Christianity has already given up the greater part of the truth of faith and will continue to do so until the complete giving up of the Christian faith will be the eventual result. Professing Christianity will not keep standing in the faith. This is what God’s Word teaches us.
So is it going wrong with you and me after all? In case this disturbs you, I will say something about it in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 18-22
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle continues speaking to the Gentile, saying, if you take as justification for boasting that the branches were broken off that you may have a place, then you were grafted in the blessed tree, so then it is true. The branches were broken off for unbelief, but on the other hand, you were not grafted in the tree for your deeds or personal deservedness, but only for your belief. So you have to be aware and not boast, but rather be humble and afraid, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." [1Cor 10:12]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 19-20
19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
When you were stripped you were anointed with exorcised olive oil, from the topmost hairs of your head to the soles of your feet, and became partakers of the good olive tree, Jesus Christ. Cuttings from the wild olive tree, you were grafted into the good olive tree and became partakers of the richness of the true olive tree.
A believing Gentile says that he can rejoice that the Jews did not believe, saying that their condemnation made room for the Gentiles. But the Jews were not condemned by God in order to let the Gentiles in. They condemned themselves by rejecting God’s gift, and by doing that they gave the Gentiles an opportunity to be saved. Paul wants to stop this boasting, so that we might rejoice in our salvation rather than insult the weak. For the man who insults a sinner is easily deceived. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
The apostle acknowledges that this statement is partially true. The Jewish branches were "broken off," and the Gentiles were grafted in. But this happened "through the unbelief" of Israel, not because the Gentiles had any special claim to God's grace. The Gentiles were grafted in because they, as a people, stood "by faith." The phrase "you stand by faith" seems to indicate that Paul is speaking about true believers. However, this is not necessarily the case here. Only because the Gentiles comparatively had more faith than the Jews could they "stand by faith." Thus, Jesus said to a Gentile centurion: "I have not found such great faith even in Israel" [Luke 7:9]. And Paul later said to the Jews in Rome: "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen" [Acts 28:28]. Note: "They will also listen." Overall, they are more receptive to the Gospel today than Israel. "Standing" here is contrasted with falling. Israel had fallen from its privileged position. The Gentiles have now been grafted in its place.
But let him who stands take care that he does not fall. The Gentiles should not become proud but rather "fear."
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 18]. We Christians are now the bearers of the testimony that God gives of Himself in this world. Israel has been put aside. There is a danger for us Christians to boast in the place God has given us. It is easy to feel we are better than Israel. Well, if you have some idea of the testimony that Christians give in the world, it wouldn’t even enter your mind to boast. Just think of countries where civil wars were and are fought between militant groups under outwardly-Christian religious names.
God in His grace gave this testimony to us instead of Israel. It’s only in this way that we have acquired the blessings which God wanted to give to His people. We, heathen by nature, had no right to anything. Remember, we don’t support the root, but the root is supporting us. God put unbelieving Israel aside and we have come in its place.
[Verse 19-20]. But remember why Israel was put aside. They lost this place on earth because of their unbelief. They rejected God and His Son. It’s not because we are better that we have taken their place. Yet, to be able to keep this place, we must remain standing in the truth of faith. Here faith is not our personal trust of faith. Here it’s not that we believe, but what we believe. To be maintained by God as His testimony on earth, Christianity must have an undiminished adherence to the Bible because therein is the truth of faith.
[Verse 21-22]. Now comes Paul’s warning for us not to be proud. Christianity as a whole shouldn’t think that God will maintain it. If they don’t fear Him, they will share in Israel’s fate. From other portions of Scripture, it is clear that professing Christianity as a whole also will become unfaithful and God will have to cut it off. This increasing unfaithfulness is already visible. In many denominations, doctrines are proclaimed about the work and Person of the Lord Jesus that are not scriptural.
More and more, Christendom is presented as a religion that is equal to other world religions. This hides the great difference between all other religions and Christendom. Christendom is the only religion to offer the solution for a lost man to become clean before God. This can only come through the Lord Jesus Who said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” [John 14:6]. This excludes every other possibility. The Lord Jesus is not merely one possibility among others. Christianity also is used to further political causes. The testimony of Who God is and Who the Lord Jesus is has been obscured by all this.
Man has been placed on earth to serve God. In the Bible the Christian has been given principles to know how to do this. It’s only by faith in the Lord Jesus and His completed work that he is able to do this. But faith is more and more evolving into something hollowed out. Professing Christianity has already given up the greater part of the truth of faith and will continue to do so until the complete giving up of the Christian faith will be the eventual result. Professing Christianity will not keep standing in the faith. This is what God’s Word teaches us.
So is it going wrong with you and me after all? In case this disturbs you, I will say something about it in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 18-22
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle continues speaking to the Gentile, saying, if you take as justification for boasting that the branches were broken off that you may have a place, then you were grafted in the blessed tree, so then it is true. The branches were broken off for unbelief, but on the other hand, you were not grafted in the tree for your deeds or personal deservedness, but only for your belief. So you have to be aware and not boast, but rather be humble and afraid, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." [1Cor 10:12]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 19-20
19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
It was not God who cut them off but rather they broke themselves off and fell…. You see what a great thing man’s free choice is, how great the working of the mind is. For none of these things is immutable, neither your good nor their evil.
I hear that some are puffed up and are arrogant, although it is written, "Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.".
Of this same thing to the Romans: "Be not high-minded, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, (take heed) lest He also spare not thee."
You ought to thank God for his gift in Christ and not insult them but rather pray that, if their wickedness has led to your salvation, they too might return to their roots. Then you will please God who has shown you mercy, for he called you so that by making them jealous of you he might bring them to grace as well. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
"For if God" did not hesitate to cut off "the natural branches" from the line of blessing, then we have no reason to assume that He would "spare" the wild olive branches under similar circumstances.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 18]. We Christians are now the bearers of the testimony that God gives of Himself in this world. Israel has been put aside. There is a danger for us Christians to boast in the place God has given us. It is easy to feel we are better than Israel. Well, if you have some idea of the testimony that Christians give in the world, it wouldn’t even enter your mind to boast. Just think of countries where civil wars were and are fought between militant groups under outwardly-Christian religious names.
God in His grace gave this testimony to us instead of Israel. It’s only in this way that we have acquired the blessings which God wanted to give to His people. We, heathen by nature, had no right to anything. Remember, we don’t support the root, but the root is supporting us. God put unbelieving Israel aside and we have come in its place.
[Verse 19-20]. But remember why Israel was put aside. They lost this place on earth because of their unbelief. They rejected God and His Son. It’s not because we are better that we have taken their place. Yet, to be able to keep this place, we must remain standing in the truth of faith. Here faith is not our personal trust of faith. Here it’s not that we believe, but what we believe. To be maintained by God as His testimony on earth, Christianity must have an undiminished adherence to the Bible because therein is the truth of faith.
[Verse 21-22]. Now comes Paul’s warning for us not to be proud. Christianity as a whole shouldn’t think that God will maintain it. If they don’t fear Him, they will share in Israel’s fate. From other portions of Scripture, it is clear that professing Christianity as a whole also will become unfaithful and God will have to cut it off. This increasing unfaithfulness is already visible. In many denominations, doctrines are proclaimed about the work and Person of the Lord Jesus that are not scriptural.
More and more, Christendom is presented as a religion that is equal to other world religions. This hides the great difference between all other religions and Christendom. Christendom is the only religion to offer the solution for a lost man to become clean before God. This can only come through the Lord Jesus Who said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” [John 14:6]. This excludes every other possibility. The Lord Jesus is not merely one possibility among others. Christianity also is used to further political causes. The testimony of Who God is and Who the Lord Jesus is has been obscured by all this.
Man has been placed on earth to serve God. In the Bible the Christian has been given principles to know how to do this. It’s only by faith in the Lord Jesus and His completed work that he is able to do this. But faith is more and more evolving into something hollowed out. Professing Christianity has already given up the greater part of the truth of faith and will continue to do so until the complete giving up of the Christian faith will be the eventual result. Professing Christianity will not keep standing in the faith. This is what God’s Word teaches us.
So is it going wrong with you and me after all? In case this disturbs you, I will say something about it in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 18-22
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham’s faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 11-21
11I 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.12Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
If God punished the original natural branches (the Israelites) by breaking them off, you as Gentile should fear lest you also be exposed to have your branches broken off, especially that you are not natural branches.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
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Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Therefore, in the parable of the olive tree, we see two great, opposing facets of God's character—His "goodness" and His "severity." His "severity" is evident in that He removed Israel from its privileged position. His "goodness" is evident in that He turned to the Gentiles with the Gospel (see [Acts 13:46]; [Acts 18:6]). However, we must not take this "goodness" for granted. The Gentiles could also be "cut off" if they do not continue to show the relative openness that the Savior found among them during His earthly ministry [Matt 8:10]; [Luke 7:9].
It is crucial to constantly keep in mind that Paul is not speaking about the Church or individual believers. He is speaking about the Gentiles as a whole. Nothing can ever separate the body of Christ from its Head, and nothing can separate a believer from the love of God, but the Gentile nations can be removed from their current favored position again.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 18]. We Christians are now the bearers of the testimony that God gives of Himself in this world. Israel has been put aside. There is a danger for us Christians to boast in the place God has given us. It is easy to feel we are better than Israel. Well, if you have some idea of the testimony that Christians give in the world, it wouldn’t even enter your mind to boast. Just think of countries where civil wars were and are fought between militant groups under outwardly-Christian religious names.
God in His grace gave this testimony to us instead of Israel. It’s only in this way that we have acquired the blessings which God wanted to give to His people. We, heathen by nature, had no right to anything. Remember, we don’t support the root, but the root is supporting us. God put unbelieving Israel aside and we have come in its place.
[Verse 19-20]. But remember why Israel was put aside. They lost this place on earth because of their unbelief. They rejected God and His Son. It’s not because we are better that we have taken their place. Yet, to be able to keep this place, we must remain standing in the truth of faith. Here faith is not our personal trust of faith. Here it’s not that we believe, but what we believe. To be maintained by God as His testimony on earth, Christianity must have an undiminished adherence to the Bible because therein is the truth of faith.
[Verse 21-22]. Now comes Paul’s warning for us not to be proud. Christianity as a whole shouldn’t think that God will maintain it. If they don’t fear Him, they will share in Israel’s fate. From other portions of Scripture, it is clear that professing Christianity as a whole also will become unfaithful and God will have to cut it off. This increasing unfaithfulness is already visible. In many denominations, doctrines are proclaimed about the work and Person of the Lord Jesus that are not scriptural.
More and more, Christendom is presented as a religion that is equal to other world religions. This hides the great difference between all other religions and Christendom. Christendom is the only religion to offer the solution for a lost man to become clean before God. This can only come through the Lord Jesus Who said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” [John 14:6]. This excludes every other possibility. The Lord Jesus is not merely one possibility among others. Christianity also is used to further political causes. The testimony of Who God is and Who the Lord Jesus is has been obscured by all this.
Man has been placed on earth to serve God. In the Bible the Christian has been given principles to know how to do this. It’s only by faith in the Lord Jesus and His completed work that he is able to do this. But faith is more and more evolving into something hollowed out. Professing Christianity has already given up the greater part of the truth of faith and will continue to do so until the complete giving up of the Christian faith will be the eventual result. Professing Christianity will not keep standing in the faith. This is what God’s Word teaches us.
So is it going wrong with you and me after all? In case this disturbs you, I will say something about it in the next section.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 18-22
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-22 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Instead of boasting and feeling haughty, the apostle is still speaking to the Gentile, you have to understand and be aware how God acts towards mankind, and how He reveals His severity sometimes and His goodness and mercy in other times. His severity was for those who refuse faith, and His goodness was for you, the Gentile, provided that you continue steadfast in faith to deserve it, otherwise you also will be broken off. The Lord Christ says, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit ... Abide in Me, and I in you ... If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." [John 15:2-6] The apostle Paul further says in his Epistle to the Hebrews, "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." [Heb 3:14]
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Such and so great futilities of theirs wherewith they flatter God and pander to themselves, effeminating rather than invigorating discipline, with how cogent and contrary (arguments) are we for our part able to rebut,-(arguments) which set before us warningly the "severity"
Author: Tertullian of Carthage Rank: Author AD: 220
"Behold, therefore "says Paul, "the goodness and severity of God: on them that fell severity; but upon thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness"
Author: Clement Of Alexandria Rank: Author AD: 215
Paul testifies that God is good to the Gentiles because, although they followed idols and deserved to die, he waited for them in his patience, and even though they did not seek him, he called them and forgave their sins. But God is severe toward the Jews and has even blinded them because they rejected God’s gift. Here Paul is referring to those Jews who because of their wickedness have been permanently blinded. For this reason he says that they have fallen, whereas the others whom I mentioned above have not fallen, even though they have sinned, because Paul shows that they have been blinded for a time. But God has been severe to these, because they have become eternally blind and apostate. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
And Israel's separation will not be final. "If they" (i.e., the members of this people) abandon their national "unbelief," there is no reason why God should not restore them to their original privileged position. This is entirely possible for God.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
I concluded the previous section by asking if it is going wrong with you and me after all. Can we conclude this from [Verse 22], even though we believe in the Lord Jesus? The Lord Jesus gives the answer in John 10: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand” [John 10:28-29]. One who is a child of God will remain so forever. Unfortunately, you may on occasions behave unlike a child of God. This has to do with your personal responsibility. If you sin as a child of God, you must confess it.
In this current portion we see the responsibility of the Christian testimony that has taken Israel’s place. If this testimony as a whole becomes unfaithful, God cannot maintain it anymore than He could maintain Israel’s. With Israel some Israelites had a personal relationship with God, but in general Israel consisted of people who didn’t want God.
The same is true for professing Christianity. Some who call themselves Christians have a relationship with God on the basis of a personal faith, but in general in professing Christianity, emphasis is increasingly being placed on what man wants rather than true faith. God’s thoughts are not sought after. The Bible is left unread. As a result God can no longer recognize Christianity as His testimony on earth, so He will have to judge it. So you have to distinguish between one’s proper, personal responsibility before God and what God expects from Christianity as a whole. I hope this has helped to make the distinction clearer.
[Verse 23-25]. Now on to [Verse 23]. In this verse Paul says that Israel will again take the place of God’s testimony on earth. This is what he calls a “mystery” [Verse 25]. A mystery in the Bible is something that was unknown in the Old Testament, but is now made known. This mystery concerns the rejection and acceptance of Israel, including the current time when God has accepted another people for His name. In the Old Testament this wasn’t known.
To avoid being wise in your own opinion, you must realize the hardening or blinding that has come over Israel has not come over all Israel, but only over part of it – the mass of unbelieving Israelites – which leaves room for a remnant.
[Verse 26]. This remnant eventually will be all of Israel because all the ungodly and unbelieving Israelites will perish by God’s judgment during the tribulation. What remains will be “all Israel”. God will go on with this new Israel after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [Verse 25]. This last expression means that the Christian testimony on earth will have completed the time of its testimony and reached its end. God will cut it off because it didn’t abide in God’s kindness (see [Verse 22]). After this, Israel will again be the object of His love.
The Redeemer or Deliverer will come out of Zion to deliver His people from the enemies who want to destroy them. Many Old Testament prophecies tell how this will happen.
[Verse 27]. They also will receive the assurance that God will fulfill the covenant He made with His people by taking away their sins from them. It is necessary to be free from the burden of sins to really enjoy God’s blessings. The huge burden weighing on the people will be their rejection of the Lord Jesus. They will confess Him as Lord, and God will forgive them. Zechariah 12-14 tells how all this will take place.
[Verse 28-29]. God will execute His plans with respect to His earthly people. He will do what He has promised; He will not revoke it. Israel now behaves with hostility toward the preaching of the gospel, but as to election God loves them because they are descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the ones to whom God gave His promises. As a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, the fulfillment of the promises had to be put off. But with God, delays are no problem. He doesn’t revoke His promises. He doesn’t change His mind regarding what He has promised to His people and to which He has called them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 23-29
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Those Jews who were broken off, if they do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted in again in the blessed tree, for God is able to do this for them.
We should not lose hope in the possibility of the restoration of the straying to faith, for there is always a place in the bosom of the divine mercy. God accepts the repentance of the sinner and restores him to his original position which he lost due to sin.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
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Romans 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?
Yes, it is much more natural for God to reinstate Israel as His privileged people than it was to graft the Gentiles into this position! The former process will be much simpler than the latter. The members of the people of Israel were the original branches of the tree of divine favor, and thus they are called the "natural branches." The Gentile branches came from a "wild olive tree." Grafting a "wild" olive branch into a "cultivated olive tree" is "contrary to nature" or unnatural. However, grafting "natural branches" back into their original "cultivated olive tree" is a very natural process.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
I concluded the previous section by asking if it is going wrong with you and me after all. Can we conclude this from [Verse 22], even though we believe in the Lord Jesus? The Lord Jesus gives the answer in John 10: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand” [John 10:28-29]. One who is a child of God will remain so forever. Unfortunately, you may on occasions behave unlike a child of God. This has to do with your personal responsibility. If you sin as a child of God, you must confess it.
In this current portion we see the responsibility of the Christian testimony that has taken Israel’s place. If this testimony as a whole becomes unfaithful, God cannot maintain it anymore than He could maintain Israel’s. With Israel some Israelites had a personal relationship with God, but in general Israel consisted of people who didn’t want God.
The same is true for professing Christianity. Some who call themselves Christians have a relationship with God on the basis of a personal faith, but in general in professing Christianity, emphasis is increasingly being placed on what man wants rather than true faith. God’s thoughts are not sought after. The Bible is left unread. As a result God can no longer recognize Christianity as His testimony on earth, so He will have to judge it. So you have to distinguish between one’s proper, personal responsibility before God and what God expects from Christianity as a whole. I hope this has helped to make the distinction clearer.
[Verse 23-25]. Now on to [Verse 23]. In this verse Paul says that Israel will again take the place of God’s testimony on earth. This is what he calls a “mystery” [Verse 25]. A mystery in the Bible is something that was unknown in the Old Testament, but is now made known. This mystery concerns the rejection and acceptance of Israel, including the current time when God has accepted another people for His name. In the Old Testament this wasn’t known.
To avoid being wise in your own opinion, you must realize the hardening or blinding that has come over Israel has not come over all Israel, but only over part of it – the mass of unbelieving Israelites – which leaves room for a remnant.
[Verse 26]. This remnant eventually will be all of Israel because all the ungodly and unbelieving Israelites will perish by God’s judgment during the tribulation. What remains will be “all Israel”. God will go on with this new Israel after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [Verse 25]. This last expression means that the Christian testimony on earth will have completed the time of its testimony and reached its end. God will cut it off because it didn’t abide in God’s kindness (see [Verse 22]). After this, Israel will again be the object of His love.
The Redeemer or Deliverer will come out of Zion to deliver His people from the enemies who want to destroy them. Many Old Testament prophecies tell how this will happen.
[Verse 27]. They also will receive the assurance that God will fulfill the covenant He made with His people by taking away their sins from them. It is necessary to be free from the burden of sins to really enjoy God’s blessings. The huge burden weighing on the people will be their rejection of the Lord Jesus. They will confess Him as Lord, and God will forgive them. Zechariah 12-14 tells how all this will take place.
[Verse 28-29]. God will execute His plans with respect to His earthly people. He will do what He has promised; He will not revoke it. Israel now behaves with hostility toward the preaching of the gospel, but as to election God loves them because they are descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the ones to whom God gave His promises. As a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, the fulfillment of the promises had to be put off. But with God, delays are no problem. He doesn’t revoke His promises. He doesn’t change His mind regarding what He has promised to His people and to which He has called them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 23-29
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle, addressing the Gentile, says God is able to graft them (the Jews) again, for if you the Gentile were cut out of the wild unfruitful tree and contrary to your nature you were grafted in a new fruitful olive tree, how much more for those who are by nature branches of the original tree! Those also will be grafted in their own tree or olive tree of which they were originally branches.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
If faith could do what was contrary to nature, how much more will it be able to accomplish that which is according to nature. For if the Gentile, who was cut off from his natural fathers and came, contrary to nature, to Abraham, how much more will God be able to recover his own! Homilies on Romans
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Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Now the apostle reveals that the future restoration of Israel is not only possible but already a certain fact. What Paul now discloses to us is a "mystery"—a truth that was previously unknown. A truth that the human intellect, left to itself, could not have grasped, is now being made known. Paul mentions it so that the Gentile believers would "not be conceited" and look down on the Jews as proud Christians. "This mystery" consists of the following:
"A partial hardening has come upon Israel." It does not affect the entire people but only the unbelieving part.
This "hardening" is only temporary. It will last "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." The "fullness of the Gentiles" refers to the time when the last member of the Church is added, and the complete body of Christ is taken up to the heavenly home. The "fullness of the Gentiles" coincides with the Rapture. The term "the times of the Gentiles" [Luke 21:24] is different. The "times of the Gentiles" refers to the entire period during which the Gentiles have dominion over the Jews. It begins with the Babylonian captivity [2Chron 36:1-21] and ends with the Second Coming of Christ to reign on earth.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
St. Paul means by this the spiritual salvation of Israel through its entry into faith, as he explained it.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 25-26
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Author: Shenouda III. Rank: Pope AD: 2012 Source:
Title: 16 Fragen der Menschen, Teil I. Author: Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria Number of pages: 74 Print: Anba Rewes Printing House, Kairo, Ägypten Translation: LICHT & WEG, Red.: Bernhard und Marlene Wolf
I concluded the previous section by asking if it is going wrong with you and me after all. Can we conclude this from [Verse 22], even though we believe in the Lord Jesus? The Lord Jesus gives the answer in John 10: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand” [John 10:28-29]. One who is a child of God will remain so forever. Unfortunately, you may on occasions behave unlike a child of God. This has to do with your personal responsibility. If you sin as a child of God, you must confess it.
In this current portion we see the responsibility of the Christian testimony that has taken Israel’s place. If this testimony as a whole becomes unfaithful, God cannot maintain it anymore than He could maintain Israel’s. With Israel some Israelites had a personal relationship with God, but in general Israel consisted of people who didn’t want God.
The same is true for professing Christianity. Some who call themselves Christians have a relationship with God on the basis of a personal faith, but in general in professing Christianity, emphasis is increasingly being placed on what man wants rather than true faith. God’s thoughts are not sought after. The Bible is left unread. As a result God can no longer recognize Christianity as His testimony on earth, so He will have to judge it. So you have to distinguish between one’s proper, personal responsibility before God and what God expects from Christianity as a whole. I hope this has helped to make the distinction clearer.
[Verse 23-25]. Now on to [Verse 23]. In this verse Paul says that Israel will again take the place of God’s testimony on earth. This is what he calls a “mystery” [Verse 25]. A mystery in the Bible is something that was unknown in the Old Testament, but is now made known. This mystery concerns the rejection and acceptance of Israel, including the current time when God has accepted another people for His name. In the Old Testament this wasn’t known.
To avoid being wise in your own opinion, you must realize the hardening or blinding that has come over Israel has not come over all Israel, but only over part of it – the mass of unbelieving Israelites – which leaves room for a remnant.
[Verse 26]. This remnant eventually will be all of Israel because all the ungodly and unbelieving Israelites will perish by God’s judgment during the tribulation. What remains will be “all Israel”. God will go on with this new Israel after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [Verse 25]. This last expression means that the Christian testimony on earth will have completed the time of its testimony and reached its end. God will cut it off because it didn’t abide in God’s kindness (see [Verse 22]). After this, Israel will again be the object of His love.
The Redeemer or Deliverer will come out of Zion to deliver His people from the enemies who want to destroy them. Many Old Testament prophecies tell how this will happen.
[Verse 27]. They also will receive the assurance that God will fulfill the covenant He made with His people by taking away their sins from them. It is necessary to be free from the burden of sins to really enjoy God’s blessings. The huge burden weighing on the people will be their rejection of the Lord Jesus. They will confess Him as Lord, and God will forgive them. Zechariah 12-14 tells how all this will take place.
[Verse 28-29]. God will execute His plans with respect to His earthly people. He will do what He has promised; He will not revoke it. Israel now behaves with hostility toward the preaching of the gospel, but as to election God loves them because they are descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the ones to whom God gave His promises. As a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, the fulfillment of the promises had to be put off. But with God, delays are no problem. He doesn’t revoke His promises. He doesn’t change His mind regarding what He has promised to His people and to which He has called them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 23-29
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The apostle refers here to a fact that had been hidden then was revealed by God to the apostles concerning the coming salvation of the Jews. God wanted the Gentiles to know this fact and to know this mystery lest they think themselves wise and disdain the Israelites for being branches cut out of the tree and are to perish. This mystery which the apostle revealed indicates that the hard-heartedness of the Israelites were only in part of them, until the fullness of Gentiles appointed for faith accept this faith and join the kingdom of Christ.
Notice here the meaning of the following phrases:
- This mystery: This word refers to something that had been hidden and was revealed. Without such divine revelation no human mind could have recognized it, as evident from the following verses:
o "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew." [1Cor 2:7-8]
o "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" [1Cor 15:51]
o "By revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel."
o "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh." [1Tim 3:16]
The conversion of the Israelites to faith in Christ was called a mystery, because the state of the Israelites at the time of their conversion does not give any hint to the human mind of such conversion. It may seem to anybody as something unexpected and impossible. But as the Gentiles' acceptance of faith was a mystery [Eph 3:3-6], so also will it be for the Israelites. Their conversion to faith will be a mystery, for that which is not possible with people, will be possible with God.
- The fullness of the Gentiles: This means the full number of the Gentiles who had been appointed by God for salvation and conversion to faith in Christ. So, this phrase refers to the Gentiles who were to believe.
- Blindness in part has happened to Israel: So, not all of them will be exposed to severity but only part of them.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Although "Israel's blindness" (Luther Bible 1912) as a form of judgment will be healed at the Rapture, this does not mean that immediately all Israel will be saved. During the Great Tribulation, some Jews will convert, but the entire chosen remnant will only be redeemed when Christ returns to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
When Paul says that "all Israel will be saved," he means all believing Israel. The unbelieving part of the people will be destroyed at Christ's Second Coming [Zech 13:8-9]. Only those who say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," will be spared and enter the Kingdom.
Isaiah also referred to this when he spoke of the Redeemer coming to "Zion" and turning away "ungodliness from Jacob." Note that this is not about Christ's coming to Bethlehem, but His return to "Zion"—that is, His Second Coming.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
St. Paul means by this the spiritual salvation of Israel through its entry into faith, as he explained it.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 25-26
25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Author: Shenouda III. Rank: Pope AD: 2012 Source:
Title: 16 Fragen der Menschen, Teil I. Author: Pope Shenouda III, 117th Pope of Alexandria Number of pages: 74 Print: Anba Rewes Printing House, Kairo, Ägypten Translation: LICHT & WEG, Red.: Bernhard und Marlene Wolf
I concluded the previous section by asking if it is going wrong with you and me after all. Can we conclude this from [Verse 22], even though we believe in the Lord Jesus? The Lord Jesus gives the answer in John 10: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand” [John 10:28-29]. One who is a child of God will remain so forever. Unfortunately, you may on occasions behave unlike a child of God. This has to do with your personal responsibility. If you sin as a child of God, you must confess it.
In this current portion we see the responsibility of the Christian testimony that has taken Israel’s place. If this testimony as a whole becomes unfaithful, God cannot maintain it anymore than He could maintain Israel’s. With Israel some Israelites had a personal relationship with God, but in general Israel consisted of people who didn’t want God.
The same is true for professing Christianity. Some who call themselves Christians have a relationship with God on the basis of a personal faith, but in general in professing Christianity, emphasis is increasingly being placed on what man wants rather than true faith. God’s thoughts are not sought after. The Bible is left unread. As a result God can no longer recognize Christianity as His testimony on earth, so He will have to judge it. So you have to distinguish between one’s proper, personal responsibility before God and what God expects from Christianity as a whole. I hope this has helped to make the distinction clearer.
[Verse 23-25]. Now on to [Verse 23]. In this verse Paul says that Israel will again take the place of God’s testimony on earth. This is what he calls a “mystery” [Verse 25]. A mystery in the Bible is something that was unknown in the Old Testament, but is now made known. This mystery concerns the rejection and acceptance of Israel, including the current time when God has accepted another people for His name. In the Old Testament this wasn’t known.
To avoid being wise in your own opinion, you must realize the hardening or blinding that has come over Israel has not come over all Israel, but only over part of it – the mass of unbelieving Israelites – which leaves room for a remnant.
[Verse 26]. This remnant eventually will be all of Israel because all the ungodly and unbelieving Israelites will perish by God’s judgment during the tribulation. What remains will be “all Israel”. God will go on with this new Israel after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [Verse 25]. This last expression means that the Christian testimony on earth will have completed the time of its testimony and reached its end. God will cut it off because it didn’t abide in God’s kindness (see [Verse 22]). After this, Israel will again be the object of His love.
The Redeemer or Deliverer will come out of Zion to deliver His people from the enemies who want to destroy them. Many Old Testament prophecies tell how this will happen.
[Verse 27]. They also will receive the assurance that God will fulfill the covenant He made with His people by taking away their sins from them. It is necessary to be free from the burden of sins to really enjoy God’s blessings. The huge burden weighing on the people will be their rejection of the Lord Jesus. They will confess Him as Lord, and God will forgive them. Zechariah 12-14 tells how all this will take place.
[Verse 28-29]. God will execute His plans with respect to His earthly people. He will do what He has promised; He will not revoke it. Israel now behaves with hostility toward the preaching of the gospel, but as to election God loves them because they are descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the ones to whom God gave His promises. As a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, the fulfillment of the promises had to be put off. But with God, delays are no problem. He doesn’t revoke His promises. He doesn’t change His mind regarding what He has promised to His people and to which He has called them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 23-29
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The words "And so" mean when the condition referred to in the preceding verse will be realized, that is, the fullness of the Gentiles come in to faith. Those of Israel who will believe will be saved as we read in the Book of prophet Isaiah, "The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says the Lord." [Isa 59:20]
And David the Prophet says, "Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad." [Ps 14:7]
And Jeremiah the prophet says, "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah – not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke ... says the Lord." [Jer 31:32] For the Lord says to them, blaming, "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" [Heb 8:8] (See also [Heb 10:16]).
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
What does it mean to say that “all Israel will be saved?” Just as we say that the whole world and all the nations are being saved because everywhere and among all nations there are those who are coming to faith, so also “all Israel will be saved” does not mean that every one of them will be but that either those who were understood by Elijah or those who are scattered all over the world will one day come to faith. .
Although it was rejected, Israel will also be saved eventually, a hope which Paul confirms by quoting this text of Scripture. For indeed, Israel will be saved in its own time and will be called at the end, after the calling of the Gentiles. .
Not all the Jews were blind; some of them recognized Christ. But the fullness of the Gentiles comes in among those who have been called according to the plan, and there arises a truer Israel of God … the elect from both the Jews and the Gentiles.
God will give them back the free exercise of their will so that, because their unbelief did not spring from malice but from error, they may be put right and afterward be saved…. Paul quotes Isaiah in order to prove that God has reserved a gift for them, in order to teach that they can be set free by the same grace by which the believing Jews have already been set free, because he is not empty but always full of grace. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
Please log in to use all functions!
There are currently no tags for this verse.
Romans 11:27 For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
This is also referenced in [Isa 27:9] and [Jer 31:33-34]. There, it is stated that God will "take away" Israel's "sins" under the conditions of the new "covenant."
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
I concluded the previous section by asking if it is going wrong with you and me after all. Can we conclude this from [Verse 22], even though we believe in the Lord Jesus? The Lord Jesus gives the answer in John 10: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand” [John 10:28-29]. One who is a child of God will remain so forever. Unfortunately, you may on occasions behave unlike a child of God. This has to do with your personal responsibility. If you sin as a child of God, you must confess it.
In this current portion we see the responsibility of the Christian testimony that has taken Israel’s place. If this testimony as a whole becomes unfaithful, God cannot maintain it anymore than He could maintain Israel’s. With Israel some Israelites had a personal relationship with God, but in general Israel consisted of people who didn’t want God.
The same is true for professing Christianity. Some who call themselves Christians have a relationship with God on the basis of a personal faith, but in general in professing Christianity, emphasis is increasingly being placed on what man wants rather than true faith. God’s thoughts are not sought after. The Bible is left unread. As a result God can no longer recognize Christianity as His testimony on earth, so He will have to judge it. So you have to distinguish between one’s proper, personal responsibility before God and what God expects from Christianity as a whole. I hope this has helped to make the distinction clearer.
[Verse 23-25]. Now on to [Verse 23]. In this verse Paul says that Israel will again take the place of God’s testimony on earth. This is what he calls a “mystery” [Verse 25]. A mystery in the Bible is something that was unknown in the Old Testament, but is now made known. This mystery concerns the rejection and acceptance of Israel, including the current time when God has accepted another people for His name. In the Old Testament this wasn’t known.
To avoid being wise in your own opinion, you must realize the hardening or blinding that has come over Israel has not come over all Israel, but only over part of it – the mass of unbelieving Israelites – which leaves room for a remnant.
[Verse 26]. This remnant eventually will be all of Israel because all the ungodly and unbelieving Israelites will perish by God’s judgment during the tribulation. What remains will be “all Israel”. God will go on with this new Israel after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [Verse 25]. This last expression means that the Christian testimony on earth will have completed the time of its testimony and reached its end. God will cut it off because it didn’t abide in God’s kindness (see [Verse 22]). After this, Israel will again be the object of His love.
The Redeemer or Deliverer will come out of Zion to deliver His people from the enemies who want to destroy them. Many Old Testament prophecies tell how this will happen.
[Verse 27]. They also will receive the assurance that God will fulfill the covenant He made with His people by taking away their sins from them. It is necessary to be free from the burden of sins to really enjoy God’s blessings. The huge burden weighing on the people will be their rejection of the Lord Jesus. They will confess Him as Lord, and God will forgive them. Zechariah 12-14 tells how all this will take place.
[Verse 28-29]. God will execute His plans with respect to His earthly people. He will do what He has promised; He will not revoke it. Israel now behaves with hostility toward the preaching of the gospel, but as to election God loves them because they are descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the ones to whom God gave His promises. As a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, the fulfillment of the promises had to be put off. But with God, delays are no problem. He doesn’t revoke His promises. He doesn’t change His mind regarding what He has promised to His people and to which He has called them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 23-29
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Taking away the sins is the basis of all blessings, gifts and good things of the New Testament. This indicates on the other side that the sins were the basis of all the misery that had befallen man, and that had created that enmity between man and God.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
God’s covenant will be fulfilled not when they are circumcised, nor when they do the other deeds of the law, but when they obtain forgiveness of sins. If this has been promised but has not yet happened in their case, nor have they enjoyed the forgiveness of sins in baptism, nevertheless it will certainly come to pass.
The covenant will always be there, however long it takes for them to believe. For this is the Lord Jesus, who has promised to come from heaven in order to set the human race free. Every day he forgives the sins of those who turn to God, nor does he condemn unbelievers straightaway but waits for them, knowing that they may come to a knowledge of God. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Therefore, we can summarize Israel's current position by first saying that they are "regarded as enemies for your sake" with respect to the Gospel. They have become "enemies" in the sense that they are currently rejected, set aside, and removed from their privileged position with God, allowing the Gospel to come to the Gentiles.
But this is only half the truth. "As far as election is concerned," they are "beloved for the sake of the patriarchs"—that is, for the sake of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
I concluded the previous section by asking if it is going wrong with you and me after all. Can we conclude this from [Verse 22], even though we believe in the Lord Jesus? The Lord Jesus gives the answer in John 10: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand” [John 10:28-29]. One who is a child of God will remain so forever. Unfortunately, you may on occasions behave unlike a child of God. This has to do with your personal responsibility. If you sin as a child of God, you must confess it.
In this current portion we see the responsibility of the Christian testimony that has taken Israel’s place. If this testimony as a whole becomes unfaithful, God cannot maintain it anymore than He could maintain Israel’s. With Israel some Israelites had a personal relationship with God, but in general Israel consisted of people who didn’t want God.
The same is true for professing Christianity. Some who call themselves Christians have a relationship with God on the basis of a personal faith, but in general in professing Christianity, emphasis is increasingly being placed on what man wants rather than true faith. God’s thoughts are not sought after. The Bible is left unread. As a result God can no longer recognize Christianity as His testimony on earth, so He will have to judge it. So you have to distinguish between one’s proper, personal responsibility before God and what God expects from Christianity as a whole. I hope this has helped to make the distinction clearer.
[Verse 23-25]. Now on to [Verse 23]. In this verse Paul says that Israel will again take the place of God’s testimony on earth. This is what he calls a “mystery” [Verse 25]. A mystery in the Bible is something that was unknown in the Old Testament, but is now made known. This mystery concerns the rejection and acceptance of Israel, including the current time when God has accepted another people for His name. In the Old Testament this wasn’t known.
To avoid being wise in your own opinion, you must realize the hardening or blinding that has come over Israel has not come over all Israel, but only over part of it – the mass of unbelieving Israelites – which leaves room for a remnant.
[Verse 26]. This remnant eventually will be all of Israel because all the ungodly and unbelieving Israelites will perish by God’s judgment during the tribulation. What remains will be “all Israel”. God will go on with this new Israel after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [Verse 25]. This last expression means that the Christian testimony on earth will have completed the time of its testimony and reached its end. God will cut it off because it didn’t abide in God’s kindness (see [Verse 22]). After this, Israel will again be the object of His love.
The Redeemer or Deliverer will come out of Zion to deliver His people from the enemies who want to destroy them. Many Old Testament prophecies tell how this will happen.
[Verse 27]. They also will receive the assurance that God will fulfill the covenant He made with His people by taking away their sins from them. It is necessary to be free from the burden of sins to really enjoy God’s blessings. The huge burden weighing on the people will be their rejection of the Lord Jesus. They will confess Him as Lord, and God will forgive them. Zechariah 12-14 tells how all this will take place.
[Verse 28-29]. God will execute His plans with respect to His earthly people. He will do what He has promised; He will not revoke it. Israel now behaves with hostility toward the preaching of the gospel, but as to election God loves them because they are descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the ones to whom God gave His promises. As a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, the fulfillment of the promises had to be put off. But with God, delays are no problem. He doesn’t revoke His promises. He doesn’t change His mind regarding what He has promised to His people and to which He has called them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 23-29
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Concerning the gospel the Jews by unbelief had become enemies, so that the Gentiles would enter in the kingdom of the Messiah, which kingdom the Jews thought to be their own, so they shut it or tried to shut in the face of the Gentiles. But concerning their election which God had prepared for them a long time ago they are beloved for the sake of the fathers of whom they are ancestors: "But because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." [Deut 7:8-9] Not for your righteousness and equity of heart that God let you enter and take their land, but to fulfill His oath to your father, "The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day." [Deut 10:15]
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
When the Gentiles believed, the Jews became even more obnoxious. But even now God has not stopped calling the Gentiles. He is waiting for all of them who are to believe to come in, and then the rest of the Jews will come as well.
However seriously the Jews may have sinned by rejecting the gift of God, and however worthy they may be of death, nevertheless, because they are the children of good people, whose privileges and many benefits from God they have received, they will be received with joy when they return to the faith, because God’s love for them is stirred up by the memory of their ancestors. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
There is a reason why they are still loved: God's "gifts" and His "calling" are irrevocable. God does not take back His gifts. Once He has given an unconditional promise, He will never retract it. He gave Israel the special privileges listed in [Rom 9:4-5]. He called Israel to be His earthly people [Isa 48:12], set apart from the other nations. Nothing can change His plans.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
I concluded the previous section by asking if it is going wrong with you and me after all. Can we conclude this from [Verse 22], even though we believe in the Lord Jesus? The Lord Jesus gives the answer in John 10: “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand” [John 10:28-29]. One who is a child of God will remain so forever. Unfortunately, you may on occasions behave unlike a child of God. This has to do with your personal responsibility. If you sin as a child of God, you must confess it.
In this current portion we see the responsibility of the Christian testimony that has taken Israel’s place. If this testimony as a whole becomes unfaithful, God cannot maintain it anymore than He could maintain Israel’s. With Israel some Israelites had a personal relationship with God, but in general Israel consisted of people who didn’t want God.
The same is true for professing Christianity. Some who call themselves Christians have a relationship with God on the basis of a personal faith, but in general in professing Christianity, emphasis is increasingly being placed on what man wants rather than true faith. God’s thoughts are not sought after. The Bible is left unread. As a result God can no longer recognize Christianity as His testimony on earth, so He will have to judge it. So you have to distinguish between one’s proper, personal responsibility before God and what God expects from Christianity as a whole. I hope this has helped to make the distinction clearer.
[Verse 23-25]. Now on to [Verse 23]. In this verse Paul says that Israel will again take the place of God’s testimony on earth. This is what he calls a “mystery” [Verse 25]. A mystery in the Bible is something that was unknown in the Old Testament, but is now made known. This mystery concerns the rejection and acceptance of Israel, including the current time when God has accepted another people for His name. In the Old Testament this wasn’t known.
To avoid being wise in your own opinion, you must realize the hardening or blinding that has come over Israel has not come over all Israel, but only over part of it – the mass of unbelieving Israelites – which leaves room for a remnant.
[Verse 26]. This remnant eventually will be all of Israel because all the ungodly and unbelieving Israelites will perish by God’s judgment during the tribulation. What remains will be “all Israel”. God will go on with this new Israel after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [Verse 25]. This last expression means that the Christian testimony on earth will have completed the time of its testimony and reached its end. God will cut it off because it didn’t abide in God’s kindness (see [Verse 22]). After this, Israel will again be the object of His love.
The Redeemer or Deliverer will come out of Zion to deliver His people from the enemies who want to destroy them. Many Old Testament prophecies tell how this will happen.
[Verse 27]. They also will receive the assurance that God will fulfill the covenant He made with His people by taking away their sins from them. It is necessary to be free from the burden of sins to really enjoy God’s blessings. The huge burden weighing on the people will be their rejection of the Lord Jesus. They will confess Him as Lord, and God will forgive them. Zechariah 12-14 tells how all this will take place.
[Verse 28-29]. God will execute His plans with respect to His earthly people. He will do what He has promised; He will not revoke it. Israel now behaves with hostility toward the preaching of the gospel, but as to election God loves them because they are descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were the ones to whom God gave His promises. As a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, the fulfillment of the promises had to be put off. But with God, delays are no problem. He doesn’t revoke His promises. He doesn’t change His mind regarding what He has promised to His people and to which He has called them.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 23-29
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
God cannot be deceived or misled when electing, calling or giving. So He never regrets for the gifts He promised to give or waive a calling He made. "The Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent; for He is not a man that He should relent." [1Sam 15:29] "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" [Num 23:19] "Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us." [Heb 6:17-18]
- God's gifts: These are mentioned in (Chapter 9) of the Epistle to the Romans, "... who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises." [Rom 9:4]
- His call: This is the call extended by God to the Jewish nation. The apostle here is not speaking about an earthly nation for Israel but for the call to the Jews for faith in Christ.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
For God to order his future works in his foreknowledge, which cannot be deceived or changed, is entirely (and nothing other than) to predestine. But just as he whom God has foreknown to be chaste, although this may be unclear to him, acts in such a way as to be chaste, so he whom God has predestined to be chaste, although this may be unclear to him, does not, simply because he hears that by God’s gift he will be what he will be, fail to act so as to be chaste. Indeed, his charity is delighted, and he is not puffed up as if he had not received it. Not only is he not hindered from the work of charity by the preaching of predestination, but on the contrary he is helped in this task, so that when he glories he may glory in the Lord.
It is usually thought that those who have sinned badly by not accepting the promise of God cannot receive mercy if they do not demonstrate their sorrow, because those who have sinned badly cannot be forgiven without tears and wailing. But Paul shows that these things are not required at the start, because God’s gift freely pardons sins in baptism. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
The Gentiles were "once" a wild people full of "disobedience," but when Israel rejected the Messiah and the Gospel of salvation, God turned to the Gentiles in His "mercy."
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 30]. The final verses of Romans 11 summarize all that Paul expounded in the preceding chapters. It became clear that we, belonging to the Gentiles, didn’t believe in God. By believing the gospel, we received mercy.
[Verse 31]. But we also saw that the gospel could only have gone out to the Gentiles when the Jews failed to respond to the many times God called on them to repent. Then when they saw grace going out to the Gentiles, they couldn’t bear it and became enemies of the gospel. In Acts we read about this time and again. With this attitude they arrived at the same place before God that the Gentiles used to be. Just as we Gentiles didn’t believe in former days, the Jews don’t believe now.
[Verse 32]. God’s purpose with this is to show us that all, without exception, are unbelievers. As a result, mercy has gone out to everyone without exception. He wants to prove He is merciful. Is there a better way to do this than first showing that everyone needs this mercy?
[Verse 33]. This brings Paul to praise God in [Verse 33-36]. In these verses he admires God’s wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord Jesus we see God’s wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1 He is called the “wisdom from God” [1Cor 1:30]. Who would ever have thought of solving in this way the problems caused by the sin of man? God has perfect knowledge of all that has happened and He knows how to deal with it in a perfectly righteous way. This encloses a depth of wisdom which is unsearchable for us.
In His judging the situation that has arisen, or the perfect insight He has in the situation that has arisen, He is exalted far beyond us. For man, no prospect was left. He couldn’t offer a single solution. All he could do was make sin worse. Then God started working. Who can search the ways in which He has acted? No one can. Now, after the cross, we can admire Him since He has completed His work in Christ.
[Verse 34-35]. Could anyone except God ever have devised this way? Would God have needed a counselor for this plan? Who could have been His counselor anyway? Everything God has in wisdom and ability, He possesses in Himself. He doesn’t have to take it from others. There is no higher power in the whole universe than God. And there is no one who could give Him something of which He is in need and of which He should repay. God alone is independent.
[Verse 36]. “From Him” are all things. All things find their origins in Him. In Romans 4 God created the things that were not from within Himself. All sources of matter, wisdom and knowledge are within Himself.
And all things not only proceed from Him, but He Himself also accomplished and achieved all things. All things are also “through Him”. Finally we come to the “to Him”. Of all His plans and actions, He is the great Object in which it all ends. God glorifies Himself in everything He does. The astonishing and admirable thing that will eternally raise our adoration is that God has included us in His plan. In eternity you will be allowed to contribute to His glory. Isn’t it overwhelming, thinking of your former state, to see the place God has now given you?
You cannot but agree with Paul saying: “To Him [be] the glory forever.” There is nothing more to be added to this other than “Amen”. This reminds me of Revelation 5 when, after the praise [Rev 5:13-14], an “Amen” follows and all the elders fall down and worship. No words are heard anymore. Hearts lose themselves in a boundless and unspeakable admiration for God and the Lamb. Amen.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-36
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The words here also are addressed to the Gentiles: you should not wonder that God's promises and gifts will certainly be fulfilled, because you, the Gentiles had been called by God before Abraham was called. But at that time, you refused the call and worshiped the idols, but now you have obtained mercy through the unbelief of the Jews and you were accepted in the circle of the faith. The same applies to the Jews, for now they are disobedient and do not believe the gospel, so that you may obtain mercy through the mercy shown you. But in [Verse 31] the words "that they may" do not mean that the Jews had to obey so that they may obtain mercy, but they mean a comparison between the state of the Jews and that of the Gentiles. The Gentiles, before their salvation and becoming members of God's kingdom, they obtained mercy after they had shown unbelief and were subject to God's rejection. The same happens to Israel, they will obtain mercy when they accept faith and show obedience, although they had not been rejected for their disobedience. So, the words "they will obtain mercy through the mercy shown you" mean that they will obtain mercy in the same way you have obtained mercy. Therefore the words "they were disobedient that they may obtain mercy" do not mean that God imposed upon the Jews disobedience, but it is only a way of expression by which the author wanted to ascribe to God all that occurs in the world, being Himself the First Cause of everything, without prejudicing man's freedom. God gives weight to this freedom and includes it in His divine plan and dispensation.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-31
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
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Romans 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
A similar sequence of events will occur in the future. Following the "disobedience" of the people of Israel will be their "mercy," as they are provoked to jealousy by the "mercy" shown to New Testament believers. Some teach that the Jews will be restored through the grace shown by Gentiles, but we know this is not true. Israel's restoration will be brought about by the return of the Lord Jesus (see [Rom 11:26-27]).
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 30]. The final verses of Romans 11 summarize all that Paul expounded in the preceding chapters. It became clear that we, belonging to the Gentiles, didn’t believe in God. By believing the gospel, we received mercy.
[Verse 31]. But we also saw that the gospel could only have gone out to the Gentiles when the Jews failed to respond to the many times God called on them to repent. Then when they saw grace going out to the Gentiles, they couldn’t bear it and became enemies of the gospel. In Acts we read about this time and again. With this attitude they arrived at the same place before God that the Gentiles used to be. Just as we Gentiles didn’t believe in former days, the Jews don’t believe now.
[Verse 32]. God’s purpose with this is to show us that all, without exception, are unbelievers. As a result, mercy has gone out to everyone without exception. He wants to prove He is merciful. Is there a better way to do this than first showing that everyone needs this mercy?
[Verse 33]. This brings Paul to praise God in [Verse 33-36]. In these verses he admires God’s wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord Jesus we see God’s wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1 He is called the “wisdom from God” [1Cor 1:30]. Who would ever have thought of solving in this way the problems caused by the sin of man? God has perfect knowledge of all that has happened and He knows how to deal with it in a perfectly righteous way. This encloses a depth of wisdom which is unsearchable for us.
In His judging the situation that has arisen, or the perfect insight He has in the situation that has arisen, He is exalted far beyond us. For man, no prospect was left. He couldn’t offer a single solution. All he could do was make sin worse. Then God started working. Who can search the ways in which He has acted? No one can. Now, after the cross, we can admire Him since He has completed His work in Christ.
[Verse 34-35]. Could anyone except God ever have devised this way? Would God have needed a counselor for this plan? Who could have been His counselor anyway? Everything God has in wisdom and ability, He possesses in Himself. He doesn’t have to take it from others. There is no higher power in the whole universe than God. And there is no one who could give Him something of which He is in need and of which He should repay. God alone is independent.
[Verse 36]. “From Him” are all things. All things find their origins in Him. In Romans 4 God created the things that were not from within Himself. All sources of matter, wisdom and knowledge are within Himself.
And all things not only proceed from Him, but He Himself also accomplished and achieved all things. All things are also “through Him”. Finally we come to the “to Him”. Of all His plans and actions, He is the great Object in which it all ends. God glorifies Himself in everything He does. The astonishing and admirable thing that will eternally raise our adoration is that God has included us in His plan. In eternity you will be allowed to contribute to His glory. Isn’t it overwhelming, thinking of your former state, to see the place God has now given you?
You cannot but agree with Paul saying: “To Him [be] the glory forever.” There is nothing more to be added to this other than “Amen”. This reminds me of Revelation 5 when, after the praise [Rev 5:13-14], an “Amen” follows and all the elders fall down and worship. No words are heard anymore. Hearts lose themselves in a boundless and unspeakable admiration for God and the Lamb. Amen.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-36
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The words here also are addressed to the Gentiles: you should not wonder that God's promises and gifts will certainly be fulfilled, because you, the Gentiles had been called by God before Abraham was called. But at that time, you refused the call and worshiped the idols, but now you have obtained mercy through the unbelief of the Jews and you were accepted in the circle of the faith. The same applies to the Jews, for now they are disobedient and do not believe the gospel, so that you may obtain mercy through the mercy shown you. But in [Verse 31] the words "that they may" do not mean that the Jews had to obey so that they may obtain mercy, but they mean a comparison between the state of the Jews and that of the Gentiles. The Gentiles, before their salvation and becoming members of God's kingdom, they obtained mercy after they had shown unbelief and were subject to God's rejection. The same happens to Israel, they will obtain mercy when they accept faith and show obedience, although they had not been rejected for their disobedience. So, the words "they will obtain mercy through the mercy shown you" mean that they will obtain mercy in the same way you have obtained mercy. Therefore the words "they were disobedient that they may obtain mercy" do not mean that God imposed upon the Jews disobedience, but it is only a way of expression by which the author wanted to ascribe to God all that occurs in the world, being Himself the First Cause of everything, without prejudicing man's freedom. God gives weight to this freedom and includes it in His divine plan and dispensation.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-31
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Paul recalls the unbelief of the Gentiles so that being ashamed of it they may not insult the Jews who have not believed but rejoice when they accept the promise of God. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
At first, reading this verse might give the impression that God arbitrarily condemns both Jews and Gentiles to unbelief, making them helpless in the matter. However, that is not the point here. Their unbelief was their own doing. What the verse is saying is that, after God found both Jews and Gentiles to be unbelieving, He allowed them to remain as captives in this state, leaving them with no way out except to accept His conditions for salvation.
This "disobedience" gave God the opportunity to show "mercy" to "all," both Jews and Gentiles. This does not imply universal reconciliation. God has shown mercy to the Gentiles and will also show mercy to the Jews, but this does not mean that everyone will be saved.
George Williams writes:
God has tested both the Jewish people and the Gentile nations. Since both groups have failed, He has enclosed them in their unbelief, ensuring that they are clearly without merit and have forfeited all claims and rights to divine favor. This allows Him to extend to them all the unspeakable riches of His grace. [1]
Footnote [1] George Williams, The Student’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, S. 871.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 30]. The final verses of Romans 11 summarize all that Paul expounded in the preceding chapters. It became clear that we, belonging to the Gentiles, didn’t believe in God. By believing the gospel, we received mercy.
[Verse 31]. But we also saw that the gospel could only have gone out to the Gentiles when the Jews failed to respond to the many times God called on them to repent. Then when they saw grace going out to the Gentiles, they couldn’t bear it and became enemies of the gospel. In Acts we read about this time and again. With this attitude they arrived at the same place before God that the Gentiles used to be. Just as we Gentiles didn’t believe in former days, the Jews don’t believe now.
[Verse 32]. God’s purpose with this is to show us that all, without exception, are unbelievers. As a result, mercy has gone out to everyone without exception. He wants to prove He is merciful. Is there a better way to do this than first showing that everyone needs this mercy?
[Verse 33]. This brings Paul to praise God in [Verse 33-36]. In these verses he admires God’s wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord Jesus we see God’s wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1 He is called the “wisdom from God” [1Cor 1:30]. Who would ever have thought of solving in this way the problems caused by the sin of man? God has perfect knowledge of all that has happened and He knows how to deal with it in a perfectly righteous way. This encloses a depth of wisdom which is unsearchable for us.
In His judging the situation that has arisen, or the perfect insight He has in the situation that has arisen, He is exalted far beyond us. For man, no prospect was left. He couldn’t offer a single solution. All he could do was make sin worse. Then God started working. Who can search the ways in which He has acted? No one can. Now, after the cross, we can admire Him since He has completed His work in Christ.
[Verse 34-35]. Could anyone except God ever have devised this way? Would God have needed a counselor for this plan? Who could have been His counselor anyway? Everything God has in wisdom and ability, He possesses in Himself. He doesn’t have to take it from others. There is no higher power in the whole universe than God. And there is no one who could give Him something of which He is in need and of which He should repay. God alone is independent.
[Verse 36]. “From Him” are all things. All things find their origins in Him. In Romans 4 God created the things that were not from within Himself. All sources of matter, wisdom and knowledge are within Himself.
And all things not only proceed from Him, but He Himself also accomplished and achieved all things. All things are also “through Him”. Finally we come to the “to Him”. Of all His plans and actions, He is the great Object in which it all ends. God glorifies Himself in everything He does. The astonishing and admirable thing that will eternally raise our adoration is that God has included us in His plan. In eternity you will be allowed to contribute to His glory. Isn’t it overwhelming, thinking of your former state, to see the place God has now given you?
You cannot but agree with Paul saying: “To Him [be] the glory forever.” There is nothing more to be added to this other than “Amen”. This reminds me of Revelation 5 when, after the praise [Rev 5:13-14], an “Amen” follows and all the elders fall down and worship. No words are heard anymore. Hearts lose themselves in a boundless and unspeakable admiration for God and the Lamb. Amen.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-36
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-32
22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
The unbelief of the Gentiles was in the beginning, and now the unbelief of the Jews, because God willed to call both of them together in their state of disobedience so that He may show His mercy on all.
But we should always remember what we have repeatedly mentioned, that God is not the cause of the disobedience of mankind or of their rebelling. So, when it is said that God has committed all to disobedience, this does not mean that He was the cause, but means that when man disobeys by his own will and choice, God will take away His mercy from him. The apostle Paul therefore says in the Epistle to the Galatians, "But the Scripture has confined all under sin that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." [Gal 3:22] And in the Epistle to the Romans, the apostle says, "What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.'" [Rom 3:9-12]
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
T to the disobedience of men; and set forth why it is that one and the same God has made some things temporal and some eternal, some heavenly and others earthly; and understand for what reason God, though invisible, manifested Himself to the prophets not under one form, but differently to different individuals; and show why it was that more covenants than one were given to mankind; and teach what was the special character of each of these covenants; and search out for what reason "God.
And therefore Paul declares, "For God hath concluded all in unbelief, that He may have mercy upon all; "
The apostle did not mean by these words that God would not condemn anybody. What he meant is made clear by the context. Paul was speaking about those Jews who would one day believe.
From earliest times all nations lived in ungodliness and ignorance because they were without God. For this reason the law was revealed, by which the worst ones could be restrained. But by the activity of the adversary sins began to multiply, so that through the commandment man was considered more guilty still. Then God, who in the mercy of his goodness always takes care of human creation, seeing that even without the law sin still existed and that by the law it could not be wiped out, decreed that he would require only faith, by which the sins of all men might be abolished. Thus although man had no ground for hope through the law, he was nevertheless saved by the mercy of God. To consign everything to disobedience means that this decree comes as a gift from God at a time when everyone was laboring in unbelief, so that grace might appear to be the freest of all rewards. Therefore nobody should boast, for the one who is proud of his ignorance is to be pitied. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:33 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!
This final doxology looks back over the entire letter and the wonders of God unfolded within it. Paul has outlined the marvelous plan of salvation through which a righteous God can justify ungodly sinners and yet remain just. He has shown how the work of Christ has brought more glory to God and more blessing to humanity than was lost through Adam's sin. He has explained how grace enables a sanctified life, which was never possible under the law. He has traced the unbreakable chain of divine purposes from foreknowledge to final glorification. He has presented the doctrine of sovereign election, as well as the accompanying truth of human responsibility. And he has traced the righteousness and harmony of God's dealings with Israel and the nations throughout the various ages. Now, nothing could be more fitting than to close with a song of praise and worship.
"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"
The riches of God! He is rich in mercy, love, grace, faithfulness, power, and goodness.
The wisdom of God! It is infinite, inscrutable, incomparable, and unshakable.
The knowledge of God! "God is omniscient," writes Arthur W. Pink, "He knows and understands all things: everything that is possible, everything that is real, all events, all creatures, whether they belong to the past, present, or future." [1]
His judgments are "unsearchable": they are far too deep for the human mind to fully comprehend. His "ways," revealed in His actions in creation, history, redemption, and providence, go beyond our limited understanding.
Footnote [1] Arthur W. Pink, The Attributes of God, S. 13.
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 30]. The final verses of Romans 11 summarize all that Paul expounded in the preceding chapters. It became clear that we, belonging to the Gentiles, didn’t believe in God. By believing the gospel, we received mercy.
[Verse 31]. But we also saw that the gospel could only have gone out to the Gentiles when the Jews failed to respond to the many times God called on them to repent. Then when they saw grace going out to the Gentiles, they couldn’t bear it and became enemies of the gospel. In Acts we read about this time and again. With this attitude they arrived at the same place before God that the Gentiles used to be. Just as we Gentiles didn’t believe in former days, the Jews don’t believe now.
[Verse 32]. God’s purpose with this is to show us that all, without exception, are unbelievers. As a result, mercy has gone out to everyone without exception. He wants to prove He is merciful. Is there a better way to do this than first showing that everyone needs this mercy?
[Verse 33]. This brings Paul to praise God in [Verse 33-36]. In these verses he admires God’s wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord Jesus we see God’s wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1 He is called the “wisdom from God” [1Cor 1:30]. Who would ever have thought of solving in this way the problems caused by the sin of man? God has perfect knowledge of all that has happened and He knows how to deal with it in a perfectly righteous way. This encloses a depth of wisdom which is unsearchable for us.
In His judging the situation that has arisen, or the perfect insight He has in the situation that has arisen, He is exalted far beyond us. For man, no prospect was left. He couldn’t offer a single solution. All he could do was make sin worse. Then God started working. Who can search the ways in which He has acted? No one can. Now, after the cross, we can admire Him since He has completed His work in Christ.
[Verse 34-35]. Could anyone except God ever have devised this way? Would God have needed a counselor for this plan? Who could have been His counselor anyway? Everything God has in wisdom and ability, He possesses in Himself. He doesn’t have to take it from others. There is no higher power in the whole universe than God. And there is no one who could give Him something of which He is in need and of which He should repay. God alone is independent.
[Verse 36]. “From Him” are all things. All things find their origins in Him. In Romans 4 God created the things that were not from within Himself. All sources of matter, wisdom and knowledge are within Himself.
And all things not only proceed from Him, but He Himself also accomplished and achieved all things. All things are also “through Him”. Finally we come to the “to Him”. Of all His plans and actions, He is the great Object in which it all ends. God glorifies Himself in everything He does. The astonishing and admirable thing that will eternally raise our adoration is that God has included us in His plan. In eternity you will be allowed to contribute to His glory. Isn’t it overwhelming, thinking of your former state, to see the place God has now given you?
You cannot but agree with Paul saying: “To Him [be] the glory forever.” There is nothing more to be added to this other than “Amen”. This reminds me of Revelation 5 when, after the praise [Rev 5:13-14], an “Amen” follows and all the elders fall down and worship. No words are heard anymore. Hearts lose themselves in a boundless and unspeakable admiration for God and the Lamb. Amen.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-36
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length, [Eph 3:18], and that passing knowledge. There is that vast distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his ways. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth, especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to our peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end. Of God, as the Spring and Fountain of all; through Christ, to God, as the end. These include all God’s relations to his creatures; if all are of Him, and through Him, all should be to Him, and for Him. Whatever begins, let God’s glory be the end: especially let us adore him when we talk of the Divine counsels and actings. The saints in heaven never dispute, but always praise.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 33-36
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
How rich is God's goodness that cannot be comprehended! How deep is His wisdom by which He controls all things and manages all events to fulfill their purpose! How deep and rich is God's knowledge who knows in advance by His foreknowledge the end and purpose of all things and all matters!
On the other hand, it is hard for anybody to understand God's judgments and recognize how He makes everything goes and takes the way that realizes salvation for mankind, "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." [1Cor 1:21-25] "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." [1Cor 2:7-8]
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
With whom the apostle agreeing exclaims, "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!".
For where had been their sin, if they only maintained the righteousness of their own God against one of whom they were ignorant? But he exclaims: "O the depth of the riches and the wisdom of God; how unsearchable also are His ways!".
If Marcion had an object in his erasures,
Author: Tertullian of Carthage Rank: Author AD: 220
After going back to former times and looking back to God’s original dispensation of things, whereby the world has existed up to the present time, and having considered the special provision which he had made for all eventualities, Paul is struck with awe and cries aloud, making his hearers feel confident that what he is saying will come to pass.
For in reference to these points, and others of a like nature, the apostle exclaims: "Oh! the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"
Paul examined … the unclear and hidden aspects of the divine mysteries and through suggestive phrases revealed the illuminations which came to him from God concerning the understanding of what is incomprehensible and unsearchable. .
Also in the Epistle of Paul to the Romans: "Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments, and how unsearchable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been His counsellor? or who has first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? Because from Him, and through Him, and in Him, are all things: to Him be glory for ever and ever."
And the treasures of wisdom are unfailing, in admiration of which the apostle says, "O the depth of the riches and the wisdom!".
"Consequently, therefore, the noble apostle exclaims, "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!"
Author: Clement Of Alexandria Rank: Author AD: 215
God knew from the beginning what man’s behavior and works would be like, in that the human race could not be saved only by the severity of his justice nor could it reach perfection only by his mercy. So at a particular time he decreed what should be preached, whereas before that time he allowed each person to decide for himself, because righteousness was recognized under the guidance of nature. And because the authority of natural righteousness was weakened by the habit of sin, the law was given so that the human race would be held back by the fear engendered by the revealed law. But because they did not restrain themselves and were counted guilty under the law, mercy was proclaimed, which would save those who took refuge in it but would blind those who rejected it for a time. During that time this mercy would invite the Gentiles, who earlier on had not wanted to follow the law given to Moses, to share in the promise, so that the Jews might become jealous of their salvation and because of that jealousy turn again to the source of the root, which is the Savior. This is “the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God,” who by his manysided providence has won both Jews and Gentiles to eternal life. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
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Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
A created being can only understand "the mind of the Lord" as far as He chooses to reveal it. And even then, we see as in a mirror, dimly [1Cor 13:12]. No one is capable of giving counsel to God. He does not need our advice and would gain no benefit from it (see [Isa 40:13]).
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 30]. The final verses of Romans 11 summarize all that Paul expounded in the preceding chapters. It became clear that we, belonging to the Gentiles, didn’t believe in God. By believing the gospel, we received mercy.
[Verse 31]. But we also saw that the gospel could only have gone out to the Gentiles when the Jews failed to respond to the many times God called on them to repent. Then when they saw grace going out to the Gentiles, they couldn’t bear it and became enemies of the gospel. In Acts we read about this time and again. With this attitude they arrived at the same place before God that the Gentiles used to be. Just as we Gentiles didn’t believe in former days, the Jews don’t believe now.
[Verse 32]. God’s purpose with this is to show us that all, without exception, are unbelievers. As a result, mercy has gone out to everyone without exception. He wants to prove He is merciful. Is there a better way to do this than first showing that everyone needs this mercy?
[Verse 33]. This brings Paul to praise God in [Verse 33-36]. In these verses he admires God’s wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord Jesus we see God’s wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1 He is called the “wisdom from God” [1Cor 1:30]. Who would ever have thought of solving in this way the problems caused by the sin of man? God has perfect knowledge of all that has happened and He knows how to deal with it in a perfectly righteous way. This encloses a depth of wisdom which is unsearchable for us.
In His judging the situation that has arisen, or the perfect insight He has in the situation that has arisen, He is exalted far beyond us. For man, no prospect was left. He couldn’t offer a single solution. All he could do was make sin worse. Then God started working. Who can search the ways in which He has acted? No one can. Now, after the cross, we can admire Him since He has completed His work in Christ.
[Verse 34-35]. Could anyone except God ever have devised this way? Would God have needed a counselor for this plan? Who could have been His counselor anyway? Everything God has in wisdom and ability, He possesses in Himself. He doesn’t have to take it from others. There is no higher power in the whole universe than God. And there is no one who could give Him something of which He is in need and of which He should repay. God alone is independent.
[Verse 36]. “From Him” are all things. All things find their origins in Him. In Romans 4 God created the things that were not from within Himself. All sources of matter, wisdom and knowledge are within Himself.
And all things not only proceed from Him, but He Himself also accomplished and achieved all things. All things are also “through Him”. Finally we come to the “to Him”. Of all His plans and actions, He is the great Object in which it all ends. God glorifies Himself in everything He does. The astonishing and admirable thing that will eternally raise our adoration is that God has included us in His plan. In eternity you will be allowed to contribute to His glory. Isn’t it overwhelming, thinking of your former state, to see the place God has now given you?
You cannot but agree with Paul saying: “To Him [be] the glory forever.” There is nothing more to be added to this other than “Amen”. This reminds me of Revelation 5 when, after the praise [Rev 5:13-14], an “Amen” follows and all the elders fall down and worship. No words are heard anymore. Hearts lose themselves in a boundless and unspeakable admiration for God and the Lamb. Amen.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-36
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length, [Eph 3:18], and that passing knowledge. There is that vast distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his ways. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth, especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to our peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end. Of God, as the Spring and Fountain of all; through Christ, to God, as the end. These include all God’s relations to his creatures; if all are of Him, and through Him, all should be to Him, and for Him. Whatever begins, let God’s glory be the end: especially let us adore him when we talk of the Divine counsels and actings. The saints in heaven never dispute, but always praise.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 33-36
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Who can know the thoughts and will of God? And who can be the counselor of God the God of heavens? Who has given or lent God something for which he may be entitled to receive a reward for it? And if God has taken away His mercy from Israel, Israel has no right to ask God for anything as if He were indebted to him or committed to give him His good things and blessings.
Isaiah the prophet says, "Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?" [Isa 40:13-14]
And Jeremiah the prophet says, "For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His word?" [Jer 23:18] And the apostle Paul says in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, "Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God." [1Cor 2:11]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 34-35
34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
Isaiah even so early, with the clearness of an apostle, foreseeing the thoughts of heretical hearts, asked, "Who hath known the mind of the Lord? For who hath been His counsellor? With whom took He counsel? . or who taught Him knowledge, and showed to Him the way of understanding? ".
This is the purport of what Isaiah said, and of (the apostle's own) subsequent quotation of the self-same passage, of the prophet: "Who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? Who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? ".
So also He will be first, because all things are after Him; and all things are after Him, because all things are by Him; and all things are by Him, because they are of nothing: so that reason coincides with the Scripture, which says: "Who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? or with whom took He counsel? or who hath shown to Him the way of wisdom and knowledge? Who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? ".
evidences of Himself. "For who hath known the mind of the Lord".
-even though the apostle asks, "Who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been His counsellor? ".
"has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been His counsellor, to teach Him? or who has pointed out to Him the way of understanding? "
Author: Tertullian of Carthage Rank: Author AD: 220
For no other being had the power of revealing to us the things of the Father, except His own proper Word. For what other person "knew the mind of the Lord "or who else "has become His counsellor? "
"But you say: Then those who adore what ought not to be adored, should be immediately destroyed by God, to prevent others doing the like. But are you wiser than God, that you should offer Him counsel?
It is clear that only God knows everything and it is only he who lacks nothing, because everything comes from him. No one can understand or measure this knowledge, because the inferior cannot comprehend what is superior to it. Jewish believers could not understand that the salvation of the Gentiles could be God’s plan and will. Likewise, it seemed unlikely and incredible to the Gentiles that the Jews, who had not believed, could be converted or accepted as believers. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
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Romans 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
No one has ever obligated God to anything (see [Job 41:11]). Which of our gifts could ever put the Eternal One in a position to owe us anything in return?
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 30]. The final verses of Romans 11 summarize all that Paul expounded in the preceding chapters. It became clear that we, belonging to the Gentiles, didn’t believe in God. By believing the gospel, we received mercy.
[Verse 31]. But we also saw that the gospel could only have gone out to the Gentiles when the Jews failed to respond to the many times God called on them to repent. Then when they saw grace going out to the Gentiles, they couldn’t bear it and became enemies of the gospel. In Acts we read about this time and again. With this attitude they arrived at the same place before God that the Gentiles used to be. Just as we Gentiles didn’t believe in former days, the Jews don’t believe now.
[Verse 32]. God’s purpose with this is to show us that all, without exception, are unbelievers. As a result, mercy has gone out to everyone without exception. He wants to prove He is merciful. Is there a better way to do this than first showing that everyone needs this mercy?
[Verse 33]. This brings Paul to praise God in [Verse 33-36]. In these verses he admires God’s wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord Jesus we see God’s wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1 He is called the “wisdom from God” [1Cor 1:30]. Who would ever have thought of solving in this way the problems caused by the sin of man? God has perfect knowledge of all that has happened and He knows how to deal with it in a perfectly righteous way. This encloses a depth of wisdom which is unsearchable for us.
In His judging the situation that has arisen, or the perfect insight He has in the situation that has arisen, He is exalted far beyond us. For man, no prospect was left. He couldn’t offer a single solution. All he could do was make sin worse. Then God started working. Who can search the ways in which He has acted? No one can. Now, after the cross, we can admire Him since He has completed His work in Christ.
[Verse 34-35]. Could anyone except God ever have devised this way? Would God have needed a counselor for this plan? Who could have been His counselor anyway? Everything God has in wisdom and ability, He possesses in Himself. He doesn’t have to take it from others. There is no higher power in the whole universe than God. And there is no one who could give Him something of which He is in need and of which He should repay. God alone is independent.
[Verse 36]. “From Him” are all things. All things find their origins in Him. In Romans 4 God created the things that were not from within Himself. All sources of matter, wisdom and knowledge are within Himself.
And all things not only proceed from Him, but He Himself also accomplished and achieved all things. All things are also “through Him”. Finally we come to the “to Him”. Of all His plans and actions, He is the great Object in which it all ends. God glorifies Himself in everything He does. The astonishing and admirable thing that will eternally raise our adoration is that God has included us in His plan. In eternity you will be allowed to contribute to His glory. Isn’t it overwhelming, thinking of your former state, to see the place God has now given you?
You cannot but agree with Paul saying: “To Him [be] the glory forever.” There is nothing more to be added to this other than “Amen”. This reminds me of Revelation 5 when, after the praise [Rev 5:13-14], an “Amen” follows and all the elders fall down and worship. No words are heard anymore. Hearts lose themselves in a boundless and unspeakable admiration for God and the Lamb. Amen.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-36
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length, [Eph 3:18], and that passing knowledge. There is that vast distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his ways. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth, especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to our peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end. Of God, as the Spring and Fountain of all; through Christ, to God, as the end. These include all God’s relations to his creatures; if all are of Him, and through Him, all should be to Him, and for Him. Whatever begins, let God’s glory be the end: especially let us adore him when we talk of the Divine counsels and actings. The saints in heaven never dispute, but always praise.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 33-36
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Who can know the thoughts and will of God? And who can be the counselor of God the God of heavens? Who has given or lent God something for which he may be entitled to receive a reward for it? And if God has taken away His mercy from Israel, Israel has no right to ask God for anything as if He were indebted to him or committed to give him His good things and blessings.
Isaiah the prophet says, "Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?" [Isa 40:13-14]
And Jeremiah the prophet says, "For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His word?" [Jer 23:18] And the apostle Paul says in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, "Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God." [1Cor 2:11]
Verses that belong to this explanation: 34-35
34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
Please log in to use all functions!
There are currently no tags for this verse.
Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
The Almighty is a self-sufficient being. He is the source of all good, the active sustainer and governor of the universe, and everything has been created for Him alone. All things have been made to bring Him "glory."
May it always be so! "To Him be the glory forever! Amen."
Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-06-13 Source:
Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck
[Verse 30]. The final verses of Romans 11 summarize all that Paul expounded in the preceding chapters. It became clear that we, belonging to the Gentiles, didn’t believe in God. By believing the gospel, we received mercy.
[Verse 31]. But we also saw that the gospel could only have gone out to the Gentiles when the Jews failed to respond to the many times God called on them to repent. Then when they saw grace going out to the Gentiles, they couldn’t bear it and became enemies of the gospel. In Acts we read about this time and again. With this attitude they arrived at the same place before God that the Gentiles used to be. Just as we Gentiles didn’t believe in former days, the Jews don’t believe now.
[Verse 32]. God’s purpose with this is to show us that all, without exception, are unbelievers. As a result, mercy has gone out to everyone without exception. He wants to prove He is merciful. Is there a better way to do this than first showing that everyone needs this mercy?
[Verse 33]. This brings Paul to praise God in [Verse 33-36]. In these verses he admires God’s wisdom and knowledge. In the Lord Jesus we see God’s wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1 He is called the “wisdom from God” [1Cor 1:30]. Who would ever have thought of solving in this way the problems caused by the sin of man? God has perfect knowledge of all that has happened and He knows how to deal with it in a perfectly righteous way. This encloses a depth of wisdom which is unsearchable for us.
In His judging the situation that has arisen, or the perfect insight He has in the situation that has arisen, He is exalted far beyond us. For man, no prospect was left. He couldn’t offer a single solution. All he could do was make sin worse. Then God started working. Who can search the ways in which He has acted? No one can. Now, after the cross, we can admire Him since He has completed His work in Christ.
[Verse 34-35]. Could anyone except God ever have devised this way? Would God have needed a counselor for this plan? Who could have been His counselor anyway? Everything God has in wisdom and ability, He possesses in Himself. He doesn’t have to take it from others. There is no higher power in the whole universe than God. And there is no one who could give Him something of which He is in need and of which He should repay. God alone is independent.
[Verse 36]. “From Him” are all things. All things find their origins in Him. In Romans 4 God created the things that were not from within Himself. All sources of matter, wisdom and knowledge are within Himself.
And all things not only proceed from Him, but He Himself also accomplished and achieved all things. All things are also “through Him”. Finally we come to the “to Him”. Of all His plans and actions, He is the great Object in which it all ends. God glorifies Himself in everything He does. The astonishing and admirable thing that will eternally raise our adoration is that God has included us in His plan. In eternity you will be allowed to contribute to His glory. Isn’t it overwhelming, thinking of your former state, to see the place God has now given you?
You cannot but agree with Paul saying: “To Him [be] the glory forever.” There is nothing more to be added to this other than “Amen”. This reminds me of Revelation 5 when, after the praise [Rev 5:13-14], an “Amen” follows and all the elders fall down and worship. No words are heard anymore. Hearts lose themselves in a boundless and unspeakable admiration for God and the Lamb. Amen.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 30-36
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-12-23 Source:
The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length, [Eph 3:18], and that passing knowledge. There is that vast distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his ways. What man shall teach God how to govern the world? The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth, especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to our peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end. Of God, as the Spring and Fountain of all; through Christ, to God, as the end. These include all God’s relations to his creatures; if all are of Him, and through Him, all should be to Him, and for Him. Whatever begins, let God’s glory be the end: especially let us adore him when we talk of the Divine counsels and actings. The saints in heaven never dispute, but always praise.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 33-36
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source:
Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry
Of Him: refers to the fact that God created everything.
Through Him: indicates that God keeps His creation and rules them with His wisdom.
To Him: means that all creation works for the glory of God.
To whom be glory: glory is given to God forever to the end of ages.
Author: Prof. Dr. Maurice Tawadros Rank: Author Posted on: 2023-03-12 Source:
Title: Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Author: Professor Dr. Maurice Tawadros Number of pages: 373
What person who believes that he lives “from him and through him and to him” will dare to make the One who encompasses in himself the life of each of us a witness of a life which does not reflect him? On Perfection.
Appear to me to be rightly judged not only flatterers and base, in vehemently pretending that things which are disagreeable give them pleasure, but also godless and treacherous; godless, because neglecting to praise and glorify God, who is alone perfect and good, "of whom are all things, and by whom are all things, and for whom are all things"
Author: Clement Of Alexandria Rank: Author AD: 215
By saying this Paul revealed a meaning which had been hidden from the world. For because God is the Creator of all things, everything comes from him. And because everything comes from him, it comes through his Son, who is of the same substance and whose work is the Father’s work as well…. And because what is from God and through God is then born again in the Holy Spirit, everything is in him as well, because the Holy Spirit is from God the Father, which is why he knows what is in God…. Here Paul laid bare the mystery of God, which he said above should not be unknown to them. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
“From him” means the beginning and origin of the substance of the universe, i.e., by his will and power…. “Through him” means the continuation of the universe; “unto him” means its end.
Author: Ambrosius von Mailand Rank: Bishop AD: 397
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
