Romans 11 14

Romans 11:14 kjv

If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Romans 11:14 nkjv

if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.

Romans 11:14 niv

in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.

Romans 11:14 esv

in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.

Romans 11:14 nlt

for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.

Romans 11 verses

Romans 11 14 Meaning

Romans 11:14 encapsulates the Apostle Paul's profound love and unwavering hope for the salvation of his Jewish brethren. As the Apostle to the Gentiles, he dedicated himself to bringing the message of Christ to non-Jews. His purpose in doing so, as expressed in this verse, was to stir a divine jealousy within the hearts of his fellow Israelites. By witnessing the Gentiles embrace the Messiah and experience the blessings of God's grace, Paul hoped that his Jewish kinsmen would become envious, prompting them to question their own rejection of Jesus and ultimately lead them to faith and salvation. It reveals Paul's strategic, Spirit-inspired approach to evangelism, leveraging the visible spiritual fruit among Gentiles as a catalyst for Israel's turning to Christ.

Romans 11 14 Context

Romans chapters 9-11 form a cohesive unit within Paul's letter, addressing the complex and often painful question of Israel's present unbelief in Jesus as Messiah, despite their covenantal election. Chapter 9 affirms God's sovereign choice and justice; chapter 10 emphasizes Israel's responsibility in rejecting the Gospel due to a misunderstanding of righteousness. Chapter 11 then argues powerfully that God has not completely rejected Israel, evidenced by a faithful remnant. Paul positions his own ministry to Gentiles as a crucial part of God's larger redemptive plan, one that indirectly serves Israel's eventual salvation. His turning to Gentiles was not a renunciation of his people, but a strategic move born out of a profound hope for their ultimate reconciliation with God. This verse flows directly from the idea that Israel's "stumbling" has resulted in salvation for the Gentiles, which Paul hopes will "make his kinsmen jealous" (Rom 11:11-12). Culturally, jealousy could be a negative emotion, but in a divine context, it served as a means to stir desire for the blessings witnessed in others.

Romans 11 14 Word analysis

• if by any means (εἰ πῶς, ei pōs): This phrase expresses a hopeful wish, an earnest desire, rather than a certainty. It indicates Paul's passionate longing and the intensity of his efforts. It speaks to human agency working towards a divine goal.

• I might provoke to jealousy (παραζηλώ, parazēlō): Derived from para (alongside) and zēloō (to be zealous, envious). Here, it implies a positive form of emulation or rivalry. The intended jealousy is not a destructive resentment, but an awakening of desire for what others possess—namely, God's grace and salvation in Christ. This concept is rooted in Deut 32:21, where God threatens to provoke Israel to jealousy through a "no-people" (the Gentiles).

• those who are my flesh (τοὺς ἐμοῦ αἷμα, tous emou haima - literally "the ones of my blood" or "my kinsmen"): A direct and intimate reference to his fellow Israelites, his blood relatives according to ethnic descent. It underscores his deep personal connection and affection for them, despite their spiritual blindness.

• and save (καὶ σώσω, kai sōsō): The ultimate goal. To save them implies their deliverance from sin and its condemnation, granting them eternal life and right standing with God through faith in Jesus Messiah. This is spiritual salvation, the deepest need of humanity.

• some of them (τινὰς ἐξ αὐτῶν, tinàs ex autōn): This acknowledges the concept of the remnant, which Paul introduced earlier in Romans 9-11 (cf. Rom 9:27, 11:5). While Paul deeply desired the salvation of all Israel, he recognized that not all would believe at once. His ministry was to "some" or "a number" who would respond to the call of the Gospel. It shows both God's sovereign election and human responsibility.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "if by any means I might provoke to jealousy": Highlights Paul's intentional, strategic evangelism. His Gentile mission was not just for the Gentiles' sake, but had a purposeful "back-effect" designed for his own people. It exemplifies a sophisticated missional thinking rooted in theological conviction.
  • "those who are my flesh and save some of them": Emphasizes Paul's identity and heartfelt motivation. His Jewish heritage was inseparable from his gospel mission. The inclusion of "some" reveals a realistic hope, aligned with the biblical teaching of a remnant and the process of conversion. It reveals God's continuing faithfulness to Israel, even in partial hardening.

Romans 11 14 Bonus section

The idea of divine "jealousy" as a positive spiritual catalyst is a profound theological concept found elsewhere in Scripture (Deut 32:21, Rom 10:19). It illustrates God's innovative and sometimes counter-intuitive methods in leading His people to Himself. Israel's "fall" was never intended by God to be ultimate or permanent; instead, it served as a pivotal point in God's universal plan, allowing for the inclusion of the Gentiles (Rom 11:11-12). Paul, in his unique role as the Apostle to the Gentiles, understood his Gentile ministry not as a replacement for Israel but as a means to "exalt his ministry" (Rom 11:13) in such a way that it would inevitably boomerang back to his kinsmen. This intricate dynamic demonstrates the deep interconnectedness of Jewish and Gentile salvation within God's single, overarching redemptive narrative, foreshadowing the ultimate unity of believers in Christ.

Romans 11 14 Commentary

Romans 11:14 reveals the deep complexity of God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles, channeled through Paul's impassioned ministry. It is a striking declaration of missional purpose, where the success of Gentile evangelism serves a redemptive purpose for Israel. Paul leverages the unique position of the Jewish people, who often saw themselves as exclusively favored, to create a sense of holy rivalry. The "jealousy" he aims to provoke is not malicious, but a spiritual yearning for the blessings Gentiles are now enjoying—blessings that originally belonged to Israel as God's chosen. By witnessing Gentile inclusion, the Jewish people would hopefully reflect on the "riches of God's grace" available to all through Christ, thus challenging their presuppositions and opening their hearts to faith. This verse underpins the ongoing hope for Israel's eventual salvation (Rom 11:26), affirming that God's covenant promises to them remain, albeit realized through unexpected means.

• Practical usage example:
  • When witnessing non-Christians receive healing or transformation, and sharing their testimonies with others who might initially be skeptical or critical, hoping their tangible experience might stir curiosity and openness.
  • Demonstrating the joyous, transformed life of a believer to those outside the faith, that their visible peace and purpose might lead others to inquire about the source.