Romans 11 15

Romans 11:15 kjv

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?

Romans 11:15 nkjv

For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

Romans 11:15 niv

For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

Romans 11:15 esv

For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

Romans 11:15 nlt

For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!

Romans 11 verses

Romans 11 15 Meaning

If their rejection brought reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? This verse expresses the paradoxical principle that the rejection of Israel opened the way for the Gentiles to receive God's grace, leading to salvation for the world. The question then posed highlights that the future acceptance and restoration of Israel will result in an even greater blessing, symbolized as "life from the dead," suggesting a profound spiritual renewal and resurrection.

Romans 11 15 Context

This verse is found within Romans chapter 11, where Paul is addressing the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles concerning salvation. He has discussed Israel's partial hardening and the Gentiles' inclusion into God's plan. He assures the Gentile believers that they have been grafted into the olive tree of God's people, not in place of Israel, but as branches supported by the root. The chapter's argument is building towards a future restoration of Israel. This specific verse reflects on the consequences of Israel's present rejection and anticipates the far greater blessing of their future acceptance. It underscores a theological principle that God's redemptive actions often involve seemingly paradoxical outcomes.

Romans 11 15 Word Analysis

• "ei" (εἰ): This is a conditional particle, similar to "if." It introduces a hypothetical situation.
• "gar" (γάρ): This is a conjunction, often translated as "for" or "because." Here it functions to explain the preceding thought or to provide a reason.
• "hē" (ἡ): This is the feminine definite article, agreeing with "apoktōsis" (ἀπώκτωσις).
• "apoktōsis" (ἀπώκτωσις): This word, derived from apokteinō (ἀποκτείνω), means "rejection," "putting to death," or "loss." In this context, it refers to Israel's temporary rejection or falling away from a full realization of God's covenant favor, not an eternal abandonment by God. It carries a sense of setting aside or relinquishing.
• "kOSmou" (κόσμου): This is the genitive singular form of kosmos (κόσμος), meaning "world." It signifies "of the world" or "for the world." The rejection of Israel resulted in a benefit to the Gentile world by opening up salvation through Christ.
• "dia" (διά): A preposition, meaning "through" or "by means of."
• "autōn" (αὐτῶν): The genitive plural pronoun, "their."
• "ephapax" (ἅπαξ): This adverb means "once," "at one time," or "in one instance." It highlights that the reconciliation for the world happened as a direct consequence of Israel's "rejection."
• "erithmeia" (ἐρυθμέια): This is a feminine noun derived from erithmos (ἐρυθμός), meaning "red" or "earnest," but here it likely relates to rythmós (ρυθμός) which means order or pattern. It is used in some manuscripts to convey a sense of 'return' or 'restoration'. More common translations use 'reconciliation'. This term's exact usage can be complex and debated, but within Paul's argument, it speaks to the restoration of relationship. The more commonly accepted reading comes from the context of reconciliation mentioned elsewhere in the epistle.
• "ei" (εἰ): Another conditional particle.
• "de" (δὲ): A particle that means "but" or "and." It indicates a contrast or a transition.
• "hē" (ἡ): The feminine definite article, agreeing with "prosdechomenos" (προσδεχόμενος).
• "prosdechomenos" (προσδεχόμενος): This is the nominative masculine singular present passive participle of prosdechomai (προσδέχομαι), meaning "to receive favorably," "to welcome," or "to accept." It is here referring to Israel's future acceptance back into God's favor and fellowship.
• "tō" (τῷ): The dative neuter singular definite article, agreeing with "plērōmati" (πλήρωματι).
• "autōn" (αὐτῶν): The genitive plural pronoun, "their."
• "plērōmati" (πλήρωματι): The dative singular of plērōma (πλήρωμα), meaning "fullness" or "completeness." Paul's thought is about Israel's "fullness"—when the entirety of God's plan for Israel is realized, or when the full number of chosen Israelites comes in.
• "ti" (τί): An interrogative pronoun, meaning "what." It introduces a question.
• "estin" (ἔστιν): The third person singular present indicative of the verb eimi (εἰμί), meaning "is."
• "esomai" (ἔσται): The third person singular future indicative middle of the verb eimi (εἰμί), meaning "will be."
• "eks" (ἐκ): A preposition meaning "out of," "from."
• "nekrōn" (νεκρῶν): The genitive plural of nekros (νεκρός), meaning "dead" or "dead things."
• "anastaseōs" (ἀναστάσεως): The genitive singular of anastasis (ἀνάστασις), meaning "resurrection" or "rising up." This refers to life coming from a state of death or dormancy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "hē apoktōsis autōn" (ἡ ἀπώκτωσις αὐτῶν): "their rejection." This is a significant phrase describing Israel's partial, temporary setting aside.
• "kath' hōn" (καθ' ὧν): "through whom" or "on account of whom." It links the rejection to a consequence.
• "erithmeia tōi kosmōi" (ἐρυθμέια τῷ κόσμῳ): "reconciliation for the world." This highlights the positive outcome of Israel's spiritual blindness for the Gentiles.
• "hē de prosdechomenos tōi autōn plērōmati" (ἡ δὲ προσδεχόμενος τῷ αὐτῶν πλήρωματι): "what then will their reception be with their fullness?" This contrasts the rejection's benefit with the greater benefit of their future acceptance in their entirety.
• "eks nekrōn anastaseōs" (ἐξ νεκρῶν ἀναστάσεως): "life from the dead" or "resurrection from the dead." This metaphorical language signifies a profound spiritual renewal and revival.

Romans 11 15 Bonus Section

The concept of "life from the dead" used here by Paul echoes themes found throughout the Old Testament regarding the national restoration of Israel. Prophets like Ezekiel speak of a miraculous revival of a dry land, representing the fallen state of Israel, as a powerful symbol of God's ability to bring life where there is none. The "fullness" of Israel likely refers to the "full number" of Jewish people who will ultimately believe in Jesus Christ as their Messiah, as mentioned earlier in Romans 11. This future acceptance is not just a personal one, but a national reconciliation that will have cosmic implications, contributing to the "resurrection of life" for all of creation, as Paul touches upon in Romans 8:19-23 regarding creation groaning for the revealing of the sons of God. The analogy of grafting and roots emphasizes that the Gentiles are recipients of a covenant promise initially given to Israel, and the restoration of Israel will, in fact, strengthen the olive tree for all.

Romans 11 15 Commentary

Paul presents a divine paradox. Israel's partial failure or rejection ("apoktōsis") has served as the catalyst for the world's reconciliation. This means their being set aside, their unbelief, allowed the door of salvation to be fully opened to the Gentiles. The consequence was "riches for the world." The question then logically follows: if their partial removal brought such immense blessings to the rest of humanity, what unimaginable glory and spiritual vitality ("life from the dead," anastaseōs zōēs) will their eventual full acceptance ("prosdechomenos") and "fullness" ("plērōmati") bring? This future "life from the dead" refers to the ultimate restoration and spiritual awakening of national Israel, leading to a heightened flourishing of God's kingdom on earth. It implies a renewed, vibrant faith that impacts the entire world, possibly a literal resurrection and revival of a significant portion of the Jewish people. It signifies a time of immense blessing and spiritual resurrection, echoing the prophecies of national revival and the ultimate triumph of God's salvific plan.