Romans 11 28

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 verses

Romans 11 28 Meaning

Romans 11:28 presents a pivotal dichotomy concerning the nation of Israel. On one hand, regarding their rejection of the Gospel of Christ, they stand as opponents, which paradoxically served God's purpose by facilitating the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant. On the other hand, in light of God's unconditional election and His irrevocable covenants with their ancestors, they remain cherished and loved by Him, ensuring a future restoration. This verse encapsulates both Israel's current disfavor concerning the Gospel and their enduring favor due to God's faithfulness.

Romans 11 28 Context

Romans chapter 11 continues Paul's profound theological argument concerning Israel's place in God's redemptive plan, a discussion begun in chapter 9. Having addressed Israel's present unbelief and partial hardening (chapters 9-10), Paul now affirms that God has not utterly rejected His people (11:1-10). He illustrates this through a remnant that believes and argues that Israel's rejection is neither total nor final. Crucially, their stumble has resulted in salvation for the Gentiles, provoking Israel to jealousy (11:11-14). Paul employs the metaphor of an olive tree, distinguishing between natural branches (Israel) and wild branches (Gentiles) grafted in, warning Gentiles against arrogance (11:17-24). The immediate context of verse 28 (11:25-32) introduces the "mystery" that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the "fullness of the Gentiles" comes in, after which "all Israel will be saved." This verse, therefore, serves to clarify the dual nature of Israel's current standing, balancing their practical opposition to the Gospel with God's immutable love stemming from their election and the covenant with their forefathers. Historically, this addressed a critical question for the early Christian community, particularly Gentile believers: what is God's plan for the Jews, and has He abandoned them? Paul’s answer ensures Gentiles understand their dependence on Israel’s heritage while reminding them of God’s sovereign grace to all. There are indirect polemics against the idea that Gentile inclusion meant the permanent replacement of Israel, stressing God's ongoing plan for them.

Romans 11 28 Word analysis

• As concerning the gospel (κατὰ μὲν τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, kata men to euangelion):

  • κατὰ (kata): Here signifies "in respect of," "in relation to," or "as far as." It sets the frame of reference for the subsequent statement.
  • εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion): Means "good news" or "gospel." In this context, it specifically refers to the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah whom Israel largely rejected.
  • Significance: This phrase highlights one aspect of Israel's relationship with God's saving plan, distinct from another aspect, establishing the two contrasting clauses in the verse. Their response to the Gospel is what's being considered.

• they are enemies (ἐχθροί, echthroi):

  • ἐχθροί (echthroi): Plural of echthros, meaning "enemy" or "hostile." It's important to understand the nuance here: it's not that God utterly hates them, but that Israel, by rejecting the Gospel, positioned themselves in opposition to its message and its messengers. This could refer to their active hostility towards Christian missionaries and their message, or simply their status as unbelievers from the perspective of the Gospel's advance.
  • Significance: This reflects Israel's functional opposition to the spreading of the Gospel in the early church, leading to consequences such as persecution of believers and turning Gentile. This perspective does not negate God’s underlying love for them.

• for your sakes (δι᾽ ὑμᾶς, di' hymas):

  • δι᾽ (dia): Means "because of," "for the sake of."
  • ὑμᾶς (hymas): Refers to "you," specifically the Gentile believers in Rome.
  • Significance: Paul asserts that Israel's rejection of the Gospel was paradoxically a part of God's redemptive plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Their "stumbling" opened the door for "wild branches" (Gentiles) to be grafted into the "olive tree" (God's people). This prevents Gentile believers from viewing Israel's condition with contempt.

• but as touching the election (κατὰ δὲ τὴν ἐκλογήν, kata de ten eklogēn):

  • κατὰ δὲ (kata de): "But as concerning," "but in respect of." The particle de indicates a contrast with the previous statement, shifting the focus to another aspect.
  • ἐκλογήν (eklogēn): "Election," "choice." This refers to God's sovereign and gracious choice of Israel as His peculiar people, predating their works or merits. It refers to the original covenant made with Abraham and reaffirmed to his descendants.
  • Significance: This phrase points to the enduring, unchanging nature of God's covenantal promises and His foundational choice of Israel. This choice is independent of their contemporary response to the Gospel, resting solely on God's initiative.

• they are beloved (ἀγαπητοί, agapētoi):

  • ἀγαπητοί (agapētoi): Plural of agapetos, meaning "beloved," "dear," "highly esteemed." It expresses God's enduring, affectionate love for them.
  • Significance: This is a powerful declaration of God's steadfast love for Israel, distinguishing their status concerning election from their temporary posture towards the Gospel. Despite their current unbelief, God's affection for them remains unchanged because of His prior commitments.

• for the fathers' sakes (διὰ τοὺς πατέρας, dia tous pateras):

  • διὰ (dia): "Because of," "on account of."
  • τοὺς πατέρας (tous pateras): "The fathers," referring specifically to the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • Significance: This directly links God's continued love for Israel to His irrevocable promises and covenants made with their ancestors. God's faithfulness to His Word and His covenants undergirds His unchanging disposition towards Israel, demonstrating that His character ensures He will not abandon them permanently. It emphasizes the foundational and unbreakable nature of these divine commitments.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes": This first half outlines Israel's practical, present-day status. Their rejection of the Messiah's message made them hostile towards the new way of salvation, a state which God sovereignly used to pivot the mission to the Gentiles, making their spiritual "loss" the Gentiles' "gain." This underscores the irony of God's working through human disobedience.
  • "but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes": This second half provides the counterbalancing, foundational truth of Israel's eternal status in God's eyes. Their original, unconditional calling as God's chosen people, based on His covenant with their patriarchs, guarantees His unwavering love for them and their ultimate restoration. This highlights the immutability of God's character and His promises.
  • The two clauses demonstrate a profound theological tension resolved by God's character: While human unfaithfulness can lead to adverse circumstances concerning specific divine provisions (like the Gospel), it cannot revoke God's original, unconditional elective love and covenant commitments. It speaks to both historical reality and theological promise.

Romans 11 28 Bonus section

The tension presented in Romans 11:28, often described as "love/hate paradox" (though "enemies" is a functional rather than emotional term from God's side), highlights Paul's sophisticated theology of salvation history. It prevents Gentile believers from falling into a triumphalist error, where they might conclude that they have completely replaced Israel in God's affections or plan. Instead, it underscores the temporary nature of Israel's present "enmity" related to the Gospel and the immutable nature of God's elective love based on His covenant fidelity. The "enemies" aspect reflects human agency and accountability for unbelief, while "beloved" emphasizes divine sovereignty and grace. This verse sets the stage for Paul's concluding affirmation in Romans 11:29 that God's gifts and call are irrevocable, solidifying the expectation of Israel's future restoration, distinct from the church, while both participate in the one divine plan of salvation.

Romans 11 28 Commentary

Romans 11:28 encapsulates the profound paradox of Israel's current and future standing in God's economy. Paul artfully presents two distinct perspectives. From the human and practical standpoint regarding the spread of the Gospel, Israel, by largely rejecting Jesus as Messiah, assumed a position of antagonism ("enemies"). This rejection was not accidental but divinely permitted and directed ("for your sakes"), serving as the catalyst for the wider dissemination of the Gospel to the Gentiles, bringing reconciliation to the world. Had Israel, as a nation, fully embraced Christ early on, the Gentile mission might have unfolded differently or much later. This "enmity" is a functional, temporary state, not an expression of God's eternal disposition toward His people.

However, from God's sovereign and eternal perspective, focused on His unchanging plan and unconditional promises, Israel remains "beloved." This enduring love is not contingent on their present faith or obedience but is anchored in His irrevocable "election" and the unbreakable covenants made with "the fathers" – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God’s promises to the patriarchs form an eternal and foundational basis for His relationship with their descendants. These promises, reiterated in various forms throughout the Old Testament, demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness. The verse underscores that God's covenant with Israel is not abrogated by their unbelief in Christ; rather, He will ultimately bring them to repentance and salvation, fulfilling His word (as further detailed in Rom 11:25-27, 29). This provides a crucial theological framework for understanding Christian-Jewish relations, promoting humility among Gentile believers, and upholding the integrity of God's promises.Examples:

• A parent deeply loves their child, even when that child makes choices that cause friction or opposition, because the parent-child bond is deeper than temporary disagreement.
• A government that passes a foundational law guaranteeing certain rights, even if a generation temporarily neglects or opposes those rights, the original law (covenant) still stands and implies future adherence or restoration.