Romans 11:2 kjv
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
Romans 11:2 nkjv
God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,
Romans 11:2 niv
God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah?how he appealed to God against Israel:
Romans 11:2 esv
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?
Romans 11:2 nlt
No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said,
Romans 11 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:1 | "I say then, Hath God cast away his people?" | Establishes the question Paul is answering. |
| Romans 9:27-29 | "Israel cries out... their seed" | Prophetic affirmation of remnant selection. |
| Isaiah 10:22 | "For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return" | Old Testament prophecy of a remnant returning. |
| 1 Samuel 12:22 | "For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake" | God's faithfulness despite Israel's sin. |
| Jeremiah 31:37 | "Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured... then will I also cast away the whole seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD." | God's unchangeable commitment to Israel. |
| 1 Kings 8:56 | "Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise..." | Solomon acknowledging God's faithfulness to promises. |
| Psalm 94:14 | "For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance." | Assurance of God's constant care for His people. |
| Isaiah 55:8-9 | "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." | God's ways are higher than human understanding. |
| Romans 11:5-6 | "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." | Directly supports the affirmation of a chosen remnant. |
| Romans 9:15, 18 | "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy..." | God's sovereign right to choose. |
| Ephesians 2:8-9 | "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..." | Salvation is by grace, not works. |
| John 1:11-13 | "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God..." | Contrasts rejection and acceptance within Israel. |
| Matthew 1:21 | "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." | Jesus' mission to save His people. |
| Acts 2:36 | "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." | Proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Christ to Israel. |
| Galatians 3:26-29 | "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." | Spiritual Israel comprising believers in Christ. |
| Romans 11:26-27 | "And so all Israel shall be saved..." | Future salvation of national Israel. |
| Isaiah 60:1-3 | "Arise, shine; for thy light is come..." | Future glory and salvation for Israel. |
| Romans 3:23-24 | "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" | Universal sinfulness and justification by grace. |
| 2 Timothy 2:13 | "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." | God's faithfulness is unconditional. |
| Zechariah 8:8 | "And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will keep truth and righteousness with them." | God's promise to dwell with His people. |
| Acts 13:46-47 | "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you..." | God's turning to the Gentiles after Israel's rejection of the Gospel. |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 2 Meaning
Israel has not been rejected by God. God's choice of Israel is not nullified.
Romans 11 2 Context
In Romans 11, Paul addresses the question of whether God has entirely cast off the nation of Israel. He has just spoken of Israel's rejection of Jesus (Romans 9:31-33) and the scattering of a remnant in His time. However, Paul clarifies that this rejection is not absolute or final. He draws an analogy to the present spiritual condition of Israel, where a remnant has been chosen by grace. This current remnant, though small, proves that God's purpose for Israel has not failed. The chapter establishes a pattern of divine sovereignty in election, a temporary hardening of a portion of Israel, and a future hope for the nation's salvation through the grafted-in Gentiles and a believing remnant of Jews.
Romans 11 2 Word Analysis
- "Certainly" (μὴ γένοιτο - me genoito): This is a strong negative, an emphatic exclamation expressing abhorrence and denial, meaning "may it not happen," "far be it," or "by no means." It conveys Paul's immediate and firm rejection of the thought that God has utterly rejected His people. It is a phrase used to reject a false inference or implication.
- "I" (ἐγὼ - ego): Paul emphasizes his own testimony and understanding derived from his apostleship and God's revelation.
- "say" (λέγω - lego): To speak or declare.
- "then" (οὖν - oun): A conjunctive particle indicating a consequence or continuation of the previous thought.
- "Hath": Auxiliary verb indicating a perfect tense.
- "God" (ὁ Θεός - ho Theos): Refers to the one true God of the Bible.
- "cast away" (ἀπέρασεν - apraken): Derived from ἀφίημι (aphiemi), which means to leave, to let go, to send away, or to forgive. In this context, it implies rejection or abandonment. It suggests a complete dismissal or giving up on.
- "his" (αὐτοῦ - autou): Possessive pronoun referring to God.
- "people" (τὸν λαόν - ton laon): Refers specifically to the people of Israel, God's covenant people, whom He chose and set apart. This usage emphasizes a national, covenantal relationship.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Certainly not!": The exclamation “Certainly not!” or “May it never be!” (μὴ γένοιτο) is a very strong disclaimer. It shows Paul's deep distress at the possibility of interpreting Israel's current situation as God’s complete and final rejection. It indicates that such a conclusion would be abhorrent and contrary to God's nature and promises.
- "Hath God cast away his people?": This entire clause forms the rhetorical question that Paul immediately answers with a resounding "Certainly not!" The term "cast away" (apraken) implies a definitive and irrevocable rejection. Paul uses this phrase to set up his argument that God’s dealings with Israel are more complex than a simple abandonment. His people (laon) refers to Israel collectively, His covenant nation.
Romans 11 2 Bonus Section
The term "people" (laos) in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) was consistently used for Israel. This linguistic connection reinforces that Paul is speaking of national Israel. Paul's affirmation here is crucial for understanding the ongoing salvific purpose of God for His original covenant nation, even in their present unbelief. It underpins the hope of Israel's future salvation discussed later in Romans 11. The entire argument in Romans 9-11 is a defense of God's righteousness and faithfulness in dealing with both Israel and the Gentiles, highlighting His sovereign grace.
Romans 11 2 Commentary
Paul emphatically states that God has not abandoned His people, Israel. While many Jews rejected Jesus, this rejection did not nullify God's covenant faithfulness. God's election of Israel is sovereign and does not depend on their actions. He has not cast them off permanently. This rejection was partial and temporary, involving a spiritual hardening for a period, allowing Gentiles to be grafted in. God’s plan still includes a future salvation for national Israel, initiated by the believing remnant of Jews and encompassing all Israel. God’s commitment is rooted in His character and promises, not in human merit.