Romans 11:11 kjv
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.
Romans 11:11 nkjv
I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
Romans 11:11 niv
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
Romans 11:11 esv
So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.
Romans 11:11 nlt
Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.
Romans 11 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:12 | Now if their transgression is riches for the world, and their failure Riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! | Continues argument of Israel's partial stumbling. |
| Romans 11:15 | For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? | If their fall brought reconciliation, their return will bring greater life. |
| Romans 9:30-33 | ...Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain it. Why? Because they sought it not by faith, but by works. ... | Contrasts Israel's pursuit by works with Gentile salvation by faith. |
| Isaiah 28:16 | Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation..." | Connects to the stumbling stone theme and foundational truth. |
| Psalm 118:22 | The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. | Echoes the theme of rejection leading to elevation. |
| Acts 13:46 | ...it was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. But since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. | Shows the historical pattern of turning to Gentiles when rejected. |
| John 1:11-12 | He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. | Highlights Jesus coming to Israel, who rejected Him, leading to Gentile adoption. |
| Romans 11:2 | God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel... | Reaffirms God's plan for Israel, not a total rejection. |
| Romans 11:7 | What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened. | Explains how Israel, as a whole, missed righteousness. |
| Isaiah 8:14-15 | And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. | Direct Old Testament prophecy of Christ as a stumbling stone. |
| Romans 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, | General human sinfulness as the backdrop for God's redemptive plan. |
| Romans 3:22 | ...the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction. | Emphasizes salvation through faith accessible to all. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 | but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. | Explains the "stumbling block" concept concerning Christ. |
| Galatians 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, that there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Points to the unity of believers transcending ethnic or social divisions. |
| Matthew 21:42 | Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this Jesus is the Lord; it is day that has astonished us’?" | Jesus directly applies Psalm 118 to Himself. |
| Luke 2:34 | and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel..." | Prophecy of Christ as both a cause of falling and rising. |
| John 10:10 | ...I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. | The purpose of Christ's coming for abundant life. |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. | Exclusive claim of salvation through Jesus Christ. |
| 1 Peter 2:4-8 | As you come to him, a living stone... According to Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” ... For them the stone of stumbling and the rock of offense. | Expands on Christ as a cornerstone and a rock of offense. |
| Ephesians 2:11-13 | Therefore remember that formerly you were Gentiles in the flesh... But now in Christ Jesus you who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. | Highlights the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan through Christ's blood. |
| Hebrews 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. | Reinforces the centrality of faith in pleasing God. |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 11 Meaning
Israel stumbled so that they might fall permanently, but through their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
Romans 11 11 Context
In Romans chapter 11, Paul is addressing the question of Israel's current rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. He's demonstrating that God has not cast away His people entirely, but that Israel's stumbling has been a means by which the Gentiles have received salvation. This verse serves as a pivotal point in his argument, explaining the positive outcome of Israel's disbelief for the wider world. The preceding verses speak of Israel's spiritual blindness, a consequence of their rejection. This verse then elaborates on the theological significance of that rejection.
Romans 11 11 Word analysis
v11
- legō de (λέγω δὲ): "I say then," or "I ask then." This phrase introduces a conclusion or a response to an implied or stated question. It signifies Paul drawing a logical deduction.
- mē (μὴ): A particle used to express negation, often in prohibitions or questions. Here it is used in a negative question expressing surprise or disbelief at a potential conclusion.
- aptainontes (απταιοντες): This Greek word means "stumbled" or "caused to stumble." It is derived from the root word "ptō," meaning "to fall." In this context, it refers to Israel's stumbling over Christ.
- epeptōsan (επεπτωσαμ): The aorist active indicative, 2nd person plural of piptō (πίπτω), meaning "to fall." However, Paul is not addressing Israel directly in the second person plural here. The understanding is often that Israel did fall. The translation varies; some see it as Israel causing itself to fall, while others emphasize God's sovereign allowance of their falling.
- eis (εἰς): A preposition meaning "into," "unto," "to," or "toward." It indicates the direction or result of the action.
- tēs (τῆς): The definite article "the," feminine genitive singular.
- ptōsis (πτῶσιν): This noun signifies a "fall," "stumbling," or "ruin." It is closely related to the verb piptō. Here it implies a severe or perhaps permanent fall.
- hina (ἵνα): A conjunction introducing a purpose clause, meaning "so that," "in order that." It implies an intended outcome.
- autoi (αὐτοὶ): The intensive pronoun "they themselves."
- hymeteron (ὑμέτερον): The possessive pronoun "your." However, this should be understood as "their," referring to Israel, as it’s a statement about Israel, not the audience Paul is directly addressing as "you" at this moment. (This grammatical nuance is a point of discussion, as "humeteron" literally means "your," but the context of Paul's argument about Israel dictates an interpretation of "their" regarding Israel’s stumbling).
- hymeteron (ὑμέτερον): "your" (possessive pronoun). The common reading of manuscripts points to "autōn" (αὐτῶν), meaning "their." If "humeteron" is taken, it suggests a direct address to those listening, implying that their offense should not be considered their final downfall but an opportunity for salvation for Gentiles. However, most modern translations use "their" referring to Israel, aligning with the context of Paul discussing Israel's action.
- aptaiin (ἁμαρτίαν): "Sin," "offense," "transgression." This is a sin or offense committed.
- toisi (τοῖσί): Dative plural of the definite article "the."
- ethnēsin (ἔθνεσιν): "Gentiles," "nations," "the nations." Refers to non-Jewish people.
- sōtēria (σωτηρία): "Salvation," "deliverance."
- egeneto (ἐγένετο): "came to be," "happened," "occurred." It's the aorist middle indicative of ginomai (γίνομαι), "to become."
- hymās (ὑμᾶς): "you" (accusative plural). Referring to the Gentile believers.
- touto (τοῦτο): "this," referring to the salvation experienced by the Gentiles.
Word Group Analysis:
- "stumbled and fell": The use of two similar but distinct Greek terms (aptainontes and epeptōsan) underscores the reality of Israel's falling away from righteousness by rejecting Christ. It emphasizes not just an accidental stumble but a more significant descent.
- "so that they might fall": The purpose clause hina epeptōsan (which is a disputed reading; more likely hina apaltainōsin or a focus on Israel's actions resulting in a fall) can be interpreted in two ways: God's sovereign decree for their fall, or Israel's intentional actions leading to their fall. Paul addresses the latter in Romans 9-10.
- "their transgression/stumbling": This refers to Israel's collective rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, a critical sin from their perspective of fulfilling the Law by works rather than by faith.
- "salvation has come to the Gentiles": This highlights the unexpected but divinely orchestrated consequence of Israel's rejection. God turned His redemptive plan towards the Gentiles because of Israel's spiritual condition.
Romans 11 11 Bonus Section
The concept of Israel's "stumbling" and the subsequent turning to Gentiles is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies. Many passages spoke of a time when Israel would be scattered and broken, and in their brokenness, a remnant would be saved, and the Gentiles would experience God's salvation. This verse doesn't negate God's ongoing covenantal relationship with Israel; rather, it speaks to the present salvific opportunity opened by their majority rejection of Christ, setting the stage for a future restoration for Israel as outlined later in chapter 11. The "stumbling stone" in Isaiah 8:14 and 1 Peter 2:8 refers to Jesus Himself, becoming an offense to those who do not believe in Him.
Romans 11 11 Commentary
Paul posits that Israel's stumbling over Christ was not intended for their permanent exclusion but for the opening of the way of salvation to the Gentiles. Their active rejection and hardening (Romans 11:7-10) had a dual effect: it led them further into their current spiritual blindness but simultaneously presented an opportunity for the nations, who were far from God, to embrace the gospel. This demonstrates God's overarching plan of salvation which incorporates both Jews and Gentiles. The "stumbling" refers to their rejection of Jesus, who was presented to them as the Messiah but was received as a stumbling block and offense due to their adherence to the Law through works rather than by faith. Their falling thus allowed the Gentiles to 'fall into' salvation through faith. This turning point in God's redemptive history ultimately serves a greater purpose in bringing all to Himself.