Romans 11:1 kjv
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.
Romans 11:1 nkjv
I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 11:1 niv
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 11:1 esv
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 11:1 nlt
I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 11 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:1 | I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! | Rom 11:1 |
| Romans 9:6 | But it is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, | Rom 9:6 |
| Isaiah 55:3 | and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love for David. | Isa 55:3 |
| Jeremiah 31:37 | Thus says the LORD: If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD. | Jer 31:37 |
| Galatians 3:29 | And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. | Gal 3:29 |
| Acts 13:46 | And Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.” | Acts 13:46 |
| John 1:11 | He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. | John 1:11 |
| Luke 21:24 | They will fall by the edge of the sword and be captured by all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. | Luke 21:24 |
| Psalm 94:14 | For the LORD will not abandon his people; he will not desert those who belong to him. | Psa 94:14 |
| Deuteronomy 7:7 | The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. | Deut 7:7 |
| Amos 9:15 | I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the LORD your God. | Amos 9:15 |
| 2 Samuel 7:14 | I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men, with the strokes of the sons of men. | 2 Sam 7:14 |
| Philippians 3:5 | circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee, | Phil 3:5 |
| 2 Corinthians 11:22 | Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. | 2 Cor 11:22 |
| Romans 9:3-5 | For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. | Rom 9:3-5 |
| Isaiah 10:22 | Though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. A consumption determined, overflowing with righteousness. | Isa 10:22 |
| Zechariah 12:7 | The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of David’s house and the glory of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be magnified above Judah. | Zech 12:7 |
| Romans 11:12 | Now if their falling is the riches of the world, and their failure is the riches of the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion be! | Rom 11:12 |
| Romans 11:15 | For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! | Rom 11:15 |
| Acts 1:6 | So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” | Acts 1:6 |
| Romans 3:3 | What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? | Rom 3:3 |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 1 Meaning
Paul inquires if God has rejected His people, Israel. He emphatically answers in the negative, asserting his own Jewish identity and his role as a descendant of Abraham and from the tribe of Benjamin. This denial strongly refutes the idea that God's covenant people have been entirely set aside due to their rejection of Jesus.
Romans 11 1 Context
Chapter 11 of Romans continues Paul's deep reflection on God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. Following the assurance that God's promises to Israel are not void (Romans 9:6), Paul directly addresses the potential conclusion that God has utterly rejected His people, Israel. This question arises from the historical reality that the majority of ethnic Israelites rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Paul immediately refutes this notion, emphasizing that God's redemptive purposes include both believing Gentiles and a future restoration for believing Jews. This chapter explores the concept of a remnant and the mystery of Israel's temporary hardening, assuring that God's covenant faithfulness remains.
Romans 11 1 Word analysis
- "Epeōs" (Επεις): Often translated as "Then" or "So," this conjunction marks a logical progression in thought. It connects Paul's question directly to the preceding discussion about God's sovereign election and Israel's unbelief. It signifies, "Given what has just been said, I now ask..."
- "Mē Geneito" (Μὴ Γένοιτο): This is a strong, emphatic negative exclamation, translating to "May it not happen!" or "By no means!" It expresses Paul's fervent denial and disapproval of the possibility. It reflects a deep rhetorical device to express abhorrence of the suggested idea.
- "Ouk" (Ουκ): A simple negative particle, meaning "not."
- "Apōstato" (Απώσατο): From the verb "apōthéomai" (αποθέομαι), meaning to push away, reject, repudiate, or cast off. This is a crucial word for understanding the concept of God's potential rejection of Israel. The aorist tense suggests a completed action, implying the question is whether God has definitively done this.
- "Ton Laon" (Τον Λαόν): "The people." Here, it specifically refers to the people of Israel, God's chosen covenant people. It emphasizes that the object of the potential rejection is this specific group.
- "Hieron" (Ἱερόν): "His people." While "laos" refers to "the people," "Hieron" likely serves an emphatic possessive pronoun, meaning "His own people," strengthening the bond between God and Israel. It underscores the relational aspect of God's covenant.
Words-group analysis
- "Mē Geneito Ouk Apōstato ton Laon autou": This entire phrase, "By no means! Did God reject His people?", is a powerful rhetorical question. It's not an inquiry for information but a strong declaration that the premise is unthinkable. It highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even amidst Israel's historical unfaithfulness. This encapsulates the tension between Israel's rejection of Christ and God's enduring covenant relationship with them.
Romans 11 1 Bonus section
The question Paul asks, "Did God reject His people?", resonates with the anxieties of many believers, especially when witnessing apparent disconnects between divine promises and human experiences. This verse reassures that God's purposes are vast and often encompass complex, layered movements. It counters a superficial understanding of rejection, pointing to a deeper, persistent faithfulness. The emphasis on God's people signifies an enduring covenantal relationship, not dependent solely on collective human response. Paul's immediate self-identification as an Israelite ("for I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin") personally anchors this affirmation, demonstrating that inclusion within God's people is not solely dependent on a present perfect faith, but also on a historical and genealogical connection that God honors.
Romans 11 1 Commentary
Paul poses a direct and powerful question concerning God's relationship with Israel, knowing the immediate perception that their rejection of Jesus would signify total abandonment. He emphatically declares "By no means!" The Greek expression is one of the strongest negative affirmations in the New Testament. This immediate denial underscores that God's covenant promises to Israel are not nullified by their current disbelief. God has not cast off His chosen people entirely. Instead, God's plan involves a temporary hardening for some, paving the way for the Gentiles, while preserving a remnant and ultimately orchestrating a future restoration for Israel as a whole nation. This assurance stems from God's unchanging character and His unbreakable covenants made with Abraham and his descendants. The question sets the stage for Paul's detailed explanation of God's sovereign dealings with both Jew and Gentile, emphasizing God's inclusive salvation plan.