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

This verse speaks of the Apostle Paul's potential impact on provoking his own people (the Jews) to jealousy and thereby saving some of them. It is a statement about strategic evangelism and God's multifaceted plan of salvation that includes both Gentiles and Jews.

Romans 11 14 Context

In Romans chapter 11, Paul addresses the question of whether God has completely rejected His people, Israel. He assures believers that God has not cast away His people, presenting himself as an Israelite from the offspring of Abraham as proof. He highlights that not all Israel rejected Christ; there is a remnant chosen by grace, just as in Elijah's time. Paul then explains that Israel stumbled over Christ, allowing salvation to extend to the Gentiles. This Gentile inclusion is not a replacement but an enrichment, a temporary situation before Israel's ultimate restoration. This specific verse, Romans 11:14, is a statement within Paul's larger argument about the Gentile mission, positioning it as a tool to ultimately stir Israel to a saving jealousy.

Romans 11 14 Word Analysis

• “If”: (Greek: ean) Conditional particle, introducing a hypothesis or condition. It indicates Paul is exploring a potential consequence.

• “I”: (Greek: ego) The Apostle Paul himself.

• “May”: (Greek: pōs) Adverb of manner or degree, often translated as "how" or "in what way." Here it expresses possibility and means "in order that."

• “Provoke”: (Greek: parazeloo) To arouse to emulation or rivalry; to make jealous; to incite to anger or indignation. In this context, it carries the nuance of inciting a desire for what others possess, particularly spiritual blessings.

• “To Jealousy”: (Greek: zelou) Strong desire, eagerness, zeal, envy, jealousy. It refers to a keen desire for what someone else has. The "jealousy" here is meant to be a righteous jealousy, a desire for the salvation and blessings enjoyed by the Gentile believers. This word has a parallel in Deuteronomy 32:21 where God provokes Israel to jealousy.

• “My”: (Greek: mou) Possessive pronoun referring to Paul.

• “Own”: (Greek: sarkos) Literally "of the flesh," signifying being of the same national or ethnic lineage. Refers to his kinsmen according to the flesh.

• “Nation/People”: (Greek: ethnos) Race, nation, or people. Here specifically referring to the Jewish people.

• “To Save”: (Greek: sozo) To save, to deliver, to rescue, to make whole. It signifies deliverance from sin and its consequences, leading to eternal life.

• “Some”: (Greek: tinas) Indefinite pronoun, meaning a certain number, but not all. It acknowledges that not every single Jew will be saved this way, but a portion will.

• "Provoke to jealousy my own nation": This phrase directly echoes the Septuagint translation of Deuteronomy 32:21: "I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a nation; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation." Paul connects his evangelistic strategy to God’s prior action in calling Gentiles, which was intended to stir Israel.

• "To save some of them": This highlights God’s mercy and the partial unbelief of Israel, as described in Romans 11:25: "For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, that of your own accord you may not be wise. For a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in."

Romans 11 14 Bonus Section

The concept of God using seemingly negative actions or situations to bring about positive outcomes is a recurring theme. For instance, Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery led to his eventual leadership and saving Egypt and his family from famine (Genesis 50:20). In this verse, Paul's engagement with Gentiles, which might be seen by some Jews as a deviation or betrayal, is presented as a means to "save some." The "jealousy" here is an active stirring, a provocation meant to reawaken Israel to the Gospel truth they had largely rejected. It’s a carefully chosen word reflecting a deep desire that can lead to emulation and, ultimately, faith. This also connects to the idea of "zeal" in Proverbs 27:4: "Wrath is cruel, and anger is a overpowering flood, but who can stand before jealousy?" While "jealousy" can be destructive, Paul hopes for a jealousy that moves towards redemption.

Romans 11 14 Commentary

Paul views his extensive missionary work among the Gentiles not as abandoning Israel, but as a divinely ordained strategy to potentially spark jealousy among his kinsmen, leading some of them to Christ. This is a purposeful, tactical application of the Gospel's reach, reflecting God’s intricate plan where the "stumbling" of Israel benefits the Gentiles, and the Gentiles’ reception of salvation is meant to provoke Israel to consider what they are missing. The jealousy implied is not malicious envy, but a strong, urgent desire for the salvation and spiritual blessings they see Gentile believers receiving. This "saving jealousy" is one facet of God's ultimate purpose to bring about the salvation of "all Israel."

• Paul’s missionary zeal for the Gentiles is an instrument of God’s mercy for Israel.
• The potential jealousy of Jews towards Gentile believers is a mechanism for their salvation, not an end in itself.
• This verse underscores the interconnectedness of God’s dealings with both Jews and Gentiles in His plan of salvation.