Romans 11 2

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 verses

Romans 11 2 Meaning

God has not abandoned His chosen people, Israel, whom He intimately knew and purposed from before time. Paul reinforces this truth by recalling the biblical account of Elijah, who in a moment of despair accused Israel of total apostasy, yet God revealed He had preserved a faithful remnant. This historical precedent serves as a powerful illustration that God's faithfulness endures even when His people seem to have largely rejected Him.

Romans 11 2 Context

Romans chapters 9-11 form a critical section within Paul's letter, directly addressing the perplexing question of Israel's current status and future in God's redemptive plan. After detailing salvation through faith for all people (Jews and Gentiles alike), Paul tackles the apparent contradiction: if God is faithful, why has much of Israel rejected their Messiah? Romans 11:2 is Paul's strong declarative answer, rooted in divine character and historical precedent. It immediately follows Paul's initial rhetorical question in 11:1 ("God has not rejected His people, has He?"). He appeals to Scripture, specifically the historical context of Elijah in 1 Kings 19, a period when the northern kingdom of Israel was deeply entrenched in Baal worship, leading Elijah to believe he was the sole faithful servant left. This illustrates that even in widespread apostasy, God consistently maintains a faithful remnant, thereby demonstrating His unchanging nature and unwavering purpose for His chosen people. The verse therefore reassures both Jewish believers disheartened by national unbelief and Gentile believers who might assume Israel's total and permanent rejection.

Romans 11 2 Word analysis

• God: (Greek: θεός - theos) Refers to the sovereign, omniscient, and covenant-keeping God of Israel. His unchanging nature underpins Paul's argument about Israel.
• has not rejected: (Greek: οὐκ ἀπώσατο - ouk apōsato) A strong negative, meaning "has certainly not cast off," "has not pushed away," or "has not repudiated." This emphatically declares God's continued faithfulness and covenant loyalty, contrasting human perception or despair. It denotes an active rejection, which God has not done.
• His people: (Greek: τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ - ton laon autou) Specifically refers to ethnic Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom the covenants, the law, and the promises belong (Rom 9:4-5). This identifies the subject of God's non-rejection.
• whom He foreknew: (Greek: ὃν προέγνω - hon proegnō) More than simple intellectual foresight, this denotes a loving, choosing, and predetermined relationship or intimate knowledge, as seen in Rom 8:29 ("foreknew" those He also predestined). It speaks of God's election and His prior establishment of a covenantal relationship with Israel before their existence.
• Or do you not know: (Greek: Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε - Ē ouk oidate) A rhetorical question Paul frequently uses (e.g., Rom 6:3; 7:1), implying the audience should be aware of the scriptural evidence he is about to present, thereby appealing to their knowledge and reason.
• what the Scripture says: (Greek: τί λέγει ἡ γραφή - ti legei hē graphē) Paul's common authoritative formula for citing the Old Testament, grounding his arguments in divine revelation. It highlights the inspired word as the ultimate arbiter.
• in the passage about Elijah: (Greek: ἐν Ἠλίᾳ - en Ēlia) Refers to the biblical narrative or section concerning the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19, not to a quotation from Elijah himself but a historical account about him that serves as a theological lesson.
• how he pleads with God: (Greek: ὡς ἐντυγχάνει τῷ Θεῷ - hōs entynchanei tō Theō) The verb "pleads" (intercedes, appeals) shows Elijah's fervent prayer and impassioned address to God in despair.
• against Israel: (Greek: κατὰ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ - kata tou Israēl) "Against" indicates an accusation or strong lament concerning or regarding Israel, expressing Elijah's perception of their total spiritual failure and apostasy to God.

• Words-group analysis:
• "God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew": This foundational statement firmly declares God's steadfast loyalty to His covenant with Israel. "Foreknew" elevates this loyalty beyond simple observation, rooting it in an eternal, purposeful, and loving selection by God. This phrase counters any notion of divine abandonment, emphasizing God's unchangeable character in maintaining His commitment to those He chose.
• "Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah": Paul uses this rhetorical inquiry to bridge his theological assertion with a compelling scriptural example. He guides his audience to recall a specific, widely known Old Testament narrative, lending credibility and historical depth to his argument about God's faithfulness amidst apparent national unfaithfulness. The citation of Scripture establishes divine authority for his claim.
• "how he pleads with God against Israel": This phrase paints a vivid picture of Elijah's extreme despondency over Israel's spiritual condition. It highlights a period of intense national apostasy, yet it immediately sets the stage for God's surprising and gracious revelation that He still had a hidden remnant, preparing the audience for Paul's parallel argument about the remnant in his own day. This underscores God's ability to work secretly, beyond human perception.

Romans 11 2 Bonus section

Paul, a Jew by birth and heritage (Rom 11:1), stands as living proof against the idea that God has completely cast off His people. His own conversion and apostleship to the Gentiles demonstrate God's continued working with and through individuals of Israelite descent, showing that the promises were not negated. The term "foreknew" (προέγνω) for Israel implies an election in love and purpose, akin to Jeremiah 1:5 ("Before I formed you... I knew you"), emphasizing a relational and covenantal choosing, rather than merely knowing future events. This verse sets the stage for Paul's continued explanation in Romans 11 that Israel's hardening is only partial and temporary, ultimately leading to a future restoration and "fullness" of Israel (Rom 11:25-27), demonstrating God's ultimate plan of salvation for all, Jew and Gentile.

Romans 11 2 Commentary

Romans 11:2 serves as a pivotal assurance: God's covenant with Israel remains unbroken, confirmed by His unchanging character and divine foreknowledge. Paul grounds this truth by referencing the account of Elijah, illustrating that even when apostasy seems pervasive, God consistently preserves a faithful remnant. Elijah’s desperate intercession against Israel, lamenting their complete turning from God, directly sets up the divine revelation in 1 Kings 19:18 of the 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal. This historical precedent becomes Paul's argument: just as God kept a remnant during Elijah's darkest hour, so too in Paul's day, amidst Israel's unbelief, God continues to have a chosen remnant. This highlights that God's plan is not thwarted by human unfaithfulness, but always advances according to His sovereign purpose and faithfulness.For example, a believer feeling overwhelmed by widespread cultural rejection of Christ might draw strength from this verse, understanding that God always has those known to Him who remain faithful, even if unseen.