Romans 11:32 kjv
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Romans 11:32 nkjv
For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
Romans 11:32 niv
For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Romans 11:32 esv
For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Romans 11:32 nlt
For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
Romans 11 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:32 | God bound all men | Bound all in disobedience, for mercy |
| Genesis 3:6 | Adam's disobedience | Sin enters the world through Adam |
| Isaiah 53:6 | All like sheep have gone astray | Universal sinfulness |
| John 3:36 | Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life... | Faith and eternal life |
| Acts 4:12 | Salvation in no one else is there | Jesus is the only Savior |
| Romans 3:9 | Are Jews any better off? No, not at all. | No one is righteous |
| Romans 3:10-12 | For there is not a righteous man, no, not one | Scripture confirms sinfulness |
| Romans 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God | Universality of sin |
| Romans 5:12 | Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man | Effect of Adam's sin |
| Romans 5:15-20 | For if many died through one man's trespass... | Contrast of Adam and Christ |
| Romans 9:15-18 | For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy..." | God's sovereign mercy |
| Romans 9:21-23 | Has the potter no right over the clay...? | God's prerogative in salvation |
| Romans 10:4 | For Christ is the end of the law | Christ fulfills the Law |
| Romans 11:5 | So too at the present time there is a remnant | Remnant according to grace |
| Romans 11:12 | If their fall has meant riches for the world | Gentile salvation through Israel's fall |
| Romans 11:25 | Lest you be wise in your own sight | Mystery of Israel's hardening |
| Romans 11:30-31 | just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy | Transition from disobedience to mercy |
| Galatians 3:22 | But the Scripture, holding all things captive under sin | Scripture testifies to sin |
| 1 Timothy 2:4 | God...wants all people to be saved | God's universal salvific will |
| Titus 2:11 | For the grace of God has appeared | Grace brings salvation to all |
| 1 John 2:2 | He is the propitiation for our sins... | Christ's atoning sacrifice |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 32 Meaning
God has bound everyone together in disobedience, in order that He may have mercy on all. This verse highlights God's sovereign plan of salvation, encompassing both Jew and Gentile, under sin so that His mercy might be universally displayed through Christ.
Romans 11 32 Context
Chapter 11 of Romans discusses God's faithfulness to Israel and the inclusion of the Gentiles. Paul addresses the concern that God has rejected His people, Israel, due to their disbelief. He explains that Israel's stumbling has led to salvation for the Gentiles, and ultimately, through the Gentiles' mercy, God will again extend mercy to Israel, saving all of them. Verse 32 summarizes this magnificent, inclusive plan of God, where He sovereignly works through the disobedience of all to achieve His ultimate purpose of mercy for all.
Romans 11 32 Word Analysis
- gar (γάρ): For, because. Indicates a reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
- sunekleisen (συνεκλείσεν): Shut up, confined, bound together. Denotes an inclusive action by God, enclosing all.
- pantas (πάντας): All. Emphasizes the universality of God's action; both Jew and Gentile.
- epi tēi apēitheia (ἐπὶ τῇ ἀπειθείᾳ): Upon the disobedience. Refers to the state or condition of not believing, obstinacy, rebellion against God's commands and truth.
- hina (ἵνα): That, in order that. Introduces a purpose clause, indicating God's intention behind enclosing all in disobedience.
- eleēsei (ἐλεήσῃ): May have mercy. Future subjunctive verb from eleeo (ἐλεέω), signifying God's act of showing mercy and compassion.
- kai (καί): And, also. Connects the elements, indicating the joint action or consequence.
- pantas (πάντας): All. Repeats the universality, reinforcing that mercy is extended to everyone.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Sunekleisen [encircled/bound together] pantas [all] epi tēi apēitheia [upon the disobedience]": God, in His sovereign purpose, has brought all people, regardless of their background, into a state of disobedience. This means that the entire human race is under the power and condemnation of sin, a condition that prevents anyone from achieving righteousness by their own merit or effort.
- "hina eleēsei [in order that He may have mercy] kai pantas [and all]": The purpose of this universal enclosure in disobedience is not for condemnation, but for the ultimate and inclusive display of God's mercy. God's plan is to offer mercy to every person who is under this condition of sin and disobedience, demonstrating the boundless scope of His saving grace.
Romans 11 32 Bonus Section
This verse beautifully articulates a core theological concept: God's unilateral action in salvation. While human responsibility in sin is affirmed elsewhere, here the focus is on God's deliberate strategy to bring all into a common predicament of needing mercy. This anticipates and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). The parallel between Adam's "disobedience" that brought sin and condemnation (Romans 5:12) and Christ's obedience that brings righteousness and life is profound. God's confinement under disobedience serves to exalt His mercy by contrast. Scholars often note that this emphasizes God's prerogative in election and the mystery of His ways, which ultimately magnify His grace towards all who believe.
Romans 11 32 Commentary
God has sovereignly confined all of humanity under sin and disobedience. This action is not arbitrary but is purposeful. The intention is to make it abundantly clear that salvation cannot be earned, thereby humbling all pride. It is precisely within this state of universal sinfulness and inability that God then chooses to show His boundless mercy. He encloses everyone in disobedience so that His mercy might reach and encompass everyone, demonstrating the inclusive nature of His redemptive plan through Christ Jesus. This truth calls for humility in believers and hope for the nations, as no one is outside the reach of God's potential mercy.