Romans 11:28 kjv
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
Romans 11:28 nkjv
Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
Romans 11:28 niv
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,
Romans 11:28 esv
As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
Romans 11:28 nlt
Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Romans 11 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:27 | For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins. | Old Testament: God's covenant with Israel |
| Isaiah 59:20, 21 | And a Redeemer shall come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says the LORD. | Old Testament: Future redemption of Israel |
| Jeremiah 31:31-34 | "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel..." | Old Testament: Promise of a New Covenant |
| Hebrews 8:8-12 | "...I will put My laws into their mind, And write them on their hearts..." | New Testament: Fulfillment of the New Covenant |
| Luke 1:72, 73 | To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore... | New Testament: Covenant remembrance |
| Genesis 12:1-3 | "I will make you a great nation; I will bless those who bless you..." | Old Testament: Abrahamic covenant promise |
| Genesis 17:7, 8 | "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you..." | Old Testament: Perpetuity of the covenant |
| Deuteronomy 7:7-9 | The LORD did not set His love upon you nor choose you because you were more in number than any peoples... | Old Testament: God's sovereign choice of Israel |
| Romans 9:15, 16 | For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I am merciful..." | New Testament: God's sovereign mercy |
| Romans 9:4, 5 | who are Israelites, to whom pertains the adoption as sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came... | New Testament: Israel's privileges |
| Romans 11:1, 2 | I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham... | New Testament: Paul's argument for Israel's inclusion |
| Romans 11:5 | And in the same way at the present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. | New Testament: Remnant according to grace |
| John 1:11, 12 | He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, He gave them the right to become children of God... | New Testament: Rejection by some, reception by others |
| John 6:44 | No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him... | New Testament: Divine drawing unto salvation |
| Acts 13:48 | Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. | New Testament: Gentile faith as a result of God's appointment |
| 1 Corinthians 1:18 | For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. | New Testament: The dichotomy of the cross |
| Galatians 3:6-9 | Thus also Abraham believed, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. | New Testament: Faith as the basis for sonship |
| Galatians 3:29 | And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. | New Testament: Believers as heirs of Abraham |
| 2 Timothy 2:13 | If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. | New Testament: God's faithfulness |
| Romans 11:29 | For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. | New Testament: Irrevocability of God's gifts |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 28 Meaning
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake; but as concerning the election, they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
Romans 11 28 Context
Romans chapter 11 addresses the place of Israel in God's redemptive plan, particularly in light of the Gentiles' acceptance of the Gospel. Paul has been discussing Israel's general unbelief and stumbling, leading to the Gentiles' salvation. However, he pivots to reassure that God has not completely cast away His people. He speaks of a remnant according to the election of grace (v. 5) and now, in verse 28, he explains the theological reality behind this. This verse serves as a concluding summary statement regarding Israel's current status from God's perspective in the unfolding plan of salvation. It bridges the discussion of Israel's rejection of Christ with the ultimate future restoration and inclusion of Israel. The immediate context is Paul’s explanation that while their current rejection makes them "enemies" in terms of their current participation in the Gospel, their identity as God's chosen people ("beloved") remains firmly rooted in God's covenantal promises to their forefathers, especially Abraham.
Romans 11 28 Word Analysis
- apon (Strong's G5090): As regards, concerning. This preposition introduces the specific aspect or relation being discussed.
- This word introduces the duality of Israel's relationship to God’s plan.
- to (Strong's G3588): The (definite article). Used with gospel, emphasizing it as a specific, well-defined message.
- euangelion (Strong's G2097): Gospel, good news. Refers to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- This "good news" of salvation in Christ was initially offered to Israel.
- The "enemies" status relates to their current response to this specific message.
- ekeinoi (Strong's G1565): They, those. Refers back to the people of Israel mentioned previously in the chapter.
- en (Strong's G1722): In, with, by. A versatile preposition used here to indicate the state or condition of being "enemies."
- echthroi (Strong's G2190): Enemies, hostile. Not necessarily implying hatred from God's side, but a state of opposition or hostility towards the gospel.
- This enmity is not their eternal status, but their condition regarding the gospel's acceptance.
- The state of being "enemies" is a consequence of their collective rejection of Christ.
- eis (Strong's G1519): For, on account of, with a view to. Indicates the reason or purpose.
- "For your sake" indicates that their stumbling and temporary rejection serves a purpose for the Gentile believers.
- Their falling brought salvation to the Gentiles (v. 11).
- hymas (Strong's G5216): You (plural). Directly addresses the Gentile believers to whom Paul is writing in Rome.
- alla (Strong's G235): But. A strong adversative conjunction, introducing a contrasting thought.
- kata (Strong's G2596): According to, with respect to. Introduces the second aspect of their relationship.
- ten (Strong's G3588): The (definite article). Used with "election," signifying a specific chosenness.
- eklogen (Strong's G1589): Election, choosing. Refers to God's sovereign selection and calling of individuals and of Israel as a people.
- This refers to God's enduring, unchangeable choice of Israel as His covenant people.
- This election is not based on their merit but on God's gracious purpose.
- agapētoi (Strong's G27): Beloved, dear. Refers to being loved or cherished.
- They are "beloved" because of God's foundational love and commitment to them as His chosen people.
- This love is a continuation of God's commitment established through the patriarchs.
- dia (Strong's G1223): Through, on account of. Indicates the cause or basis of their being beloved.
- tōn (Strong's G3588): The (definite article). Used with "fathers," referring to the patriarchs.
- paterōn (Strong's G3962): Fathers, ancestors. Primarily refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the covenant promises made to them.
- The fathers represent the patriarchal covenant that grounds God's ongoing relationship with Israel.
- Their election and beloved status are tied to God's promises given to the patriarchs.
Grouped Analysis:
- "apon to euangelion": "Concerning the gospel." This highlights that their current adversarial status is specifically in relation to their rejection of the Christian gospel message.
- "ekeinoi en echthroi": "they are enemies." This describes their collective posture of opposition or estrangement from God's current salvific work as seen in the acceptance of the Gospel by Gentiles.
- "eis hyman": "for your sake." This points to the redemptive purpose within God's larger plan, where Israel's temporary stumbling is a catalyst for the salvation of the Gentiles.
- "alla kata ten eklogen": "but according to the election." This establishes a fundamental truth of God’s sovereign choice that transcends their current rejection.
- "agapētoi dia tōn paterōn": "beloved for the sake of the fathers." This grounds their beloved status in God's eternal covenant and faithfulness to the patriarchs. This explains how they can be "enemies" regarding the gospel and yet "beloved" simultaneously, highlighting the temporal and eternal aspects of God's relationship with them.
Romans 11 28 Bonus Section
The concept of Israel being both "enemies" and "beloved" is a crucial element in understanding Paul's complex argument in Romans 9-11. It prevents a misunderstanding that God has utterly abandoned His people. The term "enemies" (echthroi) here does not mean they are inherently hated by God, but rather that they are currently in a state of opposition or hostility towards the specific redemptive work of God in Christ. The phrase "for your sake" (eis hymas) is significant; it highlights that the temporary estrangement of the majority of Israel from the Gospel serves a redemptive purpose for the Gentiles, opening the door for their inclusion in God's covenant people. The assurance that they are "beloved for the sake of the fathers" anchors their hope in God's unchanging covenant faithfulness, rooted in His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This sets the stage for the subsequent statement in verse 29 that "the gifts and the callings of God are irrevocable." This enduring "belovedness" points to a future restoration of Israel that is guaranteed by God's unchanging nature and His ancient covenants.
Romans 11 28 Commentary
This verse articulates a profound paradox in God's dealings with Israel. Despite their collective rejection of the Gospel, which renders them, in a specific sense, "enemies" in relation to its acceptance and proclamation, their fundamental identity as God's chosen people, "beloved," remains eternally secured by God's unbreakable covenant and promises to their ancestors like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This emphasizes that God's electing love is not conditional on Israel's present actions but is based on His unfailing faithfulness and eternal purposes established in the patriarchs. Paul uses this to illustrate that God’s overarching plan encompasses both Israel's temporary falling away (which results in salvation for the Gentiles) and their eventual future restoration, grounded in His irrevocable commitments. This demonstrates that God's sovereignty and love are comprehensive, working through every stage of His redemptive program.