| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

 

Romans Chapter Eleven

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Wisdom of the Counsel of God’s Salvation

A.  There has been a remnant of Israel according to God’s election of grace (v.1-6).

B.  God has made the rest be blinded (v.7-10).

C.  God provokes the Israel to be saved by saving the Gentiles (v.11-15).

D.  The parable of the olive tree:

1.  The new branches (the Gentiles) should not boast (v.16-22).

2.  The old branches (the Israel) should also be grafted (v.23-24).

E.  God predestinates salvation to all Israel (v.25-27).

F.   God’s perfect mercy (v.28-32);

G.  God’s full wisdom (v.33-36);

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rom. 11:1I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

YLT: “I say, then, Did God cast away His people? let it not be! for I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin:”

Literal Meaning: “has God cast away His people”? ---- “Cast away”, totally reject; “His people” refers to the Israelites. Such sentence pattern in the original shows that the answer is negative.

“For I also am an Israelite”, Paul took him as an example, proving that God had not totally cast away the Israelites. In the past history, though the Israelites were stubborn and refused the dispensation of God’s salvation, there was still a remnant (Rom.9:27) who believed the Lord.

“Of the seed of Abraham”, when the Israel mentioned their genealogy, they usually traced back to Abraham (see Matt. 1:1; 2Cor. 11:22).

“Of the tribe of Benjamin”, “Benjamin” is one of the twelve tribes of Israel (see Num. 1:36; Rev. 7:8). Paul was of tribe of Benjamin (Phil. 3:5). Before he was saved, his name was “Saul”, the same name as a remarkable character of the tribe of Benjamin ---- the king Saul (Acts 13:21).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Paul is a best witness, testifying that a faithful Jew can also be a Christian who devotes himself to the Lord.

2)    The Lord likes us to bear witness to Him by our social status. We should not be ashamed of being a Chinese Christian.

 

Rom. 11:2 “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,”

   YLT: “God did not cast away His people whom He knew before; have ye not known -- in Elijah -- what the Writing saith? how he doth plead with God concerning Israel, saying,”

The Background: in the times of the prophet Elijah, the king of Israel Ahab took the gentile woman Jezebel as wife and reared up an altar for the gentile idol of Baal in the house of Baal (1King 16:29-32). Jezebel even cut off the prophets of Jehovah, but the steward of his house Obadiah who feared God hid a hundred prophets privately (1King 18:4, 13). Later, the prophet Elijah on the Mount Carmel by the word of God challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to bear witness to God. Finally, Elijah alone defeated all the prophets of Baal and killed them all (1King 18:20-40). Jezebel then sent a messenger to Elijah and told him that she swore to kill him to revenge (1King 19:2). Elijah arose and went to the Mount Horeb and went into a cave there. Jehovah the Lord asked him what he was doing there. Elijah answered, “for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword. And I am left, I alone” (1King 19:8-9, 13-14). God said to him, “Yet I have left seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth that hath not kissed him” (1King 19:18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. ---- What consolation the gracious word brings to us! We are preordained according to the foreknowledge of God (Rom. 8:29). Therefore, no matter how weak we are, God will not cast away us ---- just like the fact that He never casts away the Israel who always rebel to Him.

2)    Even though man may fall into a certain condition that seems to “have to be rejected”, we will also find that God has no idea of “rejection” if we see from His sight. God may show His anger at man’s fall and may even give “government”, but He will not cast away those whom He has chosen.

3)    Even the great prophet Elijah had the possibility of misunderstanding the will of God and pleading the people of God. Who we are? How can we think that only we (or the group we are in) are preserved by God and all the rest Christians have departed from God?

 

Rom. 11:3 “"LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"?”

   YLT:`Lord, Thy prophets they did kill, and Thy altars they dug down, and I was left alone, and they seek my life;'”

Meaning of Words: “life”: soul;

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Satan may prevail when the people of God feel lonely in the life of Christians.

2)    We should not think that others do not love the Lord and I alone love the Lord. There is a great number of those who love the Lord. We just do not know them.

 

Rom. 11:4 “But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." ”

   YLT: “but what saith the divine answer to him? `I left to Myself seven thousand men, who did not bow a knee to Baal.'”

Meaning of Words: “Baal”: owner and master (Baal is the name of the main idol among the Phoenician and the Canaanite);

   Literal Meaning: I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men”, “seven thousand men”, they could be regard the remnant who feared God in the Israel in the times of Elijah. Paul used this case to prove that God preserves the people in grace for Himself in every generation.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The divine response tells us that: 1) God does not like us to plead our brothers; 2) no matter how weak our conditions are, God will never forget our faithfulness to Him.

2)    Even in the generation that men universally departed from the truth, God always had men who kept faithful to Him.

3)    God always works according to His will, “I … for Myself” ---- He reserves us for Himself, not for us.

4)    We believers should not always focus on our weakness, failure or smallness, but on the greatness of our God. If we only see the circumstance and ourselves, we will feel that “I am alone”. However, if we turn to see our God, we will know that God has reserved for Himself seven thousand men”.

5)    Man only see “him alone” (v.3), but has not seen “seven thousand men”. God does not respond to what man has seen, but points what man has not seen to him. May God open our eyes that we can see the spiritual things that God likes us to see. 

 

Rom. 11:5 “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

   YLT: “So then also in the present time a remnant according to the choice of grace there hath been;”

Meaning of Words: remnant”: the rest;

The Background: “remnant” has a background concerning the Old Testament. The Israel rebelled against God repeatedly. Though God often warned them, they still did not repent. Therefore, God scattered them the gentile nations. Only a remnant returned (see Jer. 3:14; Zech. 13:8), and such a small part of Israel who returned was called “remnant”.

Literal Meaning: according to the election of grace”, that the remnant who believed the Lord among the Israel lived in the world was not on account of their good works, but the election of grace.

“At this present time there is a remnant”, the original of the word “remnant” only appears one time in the New Testament. It is a different from the word “remnant” (Rom. 9:27) or “seed” (Rom. 9:29) in chapter nine, but all the three words have the meaning of “remnant”. Just like the age of Elijah, though the backsliding condition was common, there was still a faithful Jewish remnant living in the world.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Throughout the generations, God always works in His people according to the principle of “remnant”, e.g. when the whole world was corrupted, God only chose Noah the eighth person (Gen. 7:1); moreover, after the event of the tower of Babel, God merely chose Abram (Gen. 12:1).

2)    The principle of the world is ---- “minority obeys to majority”. The principle of the assembly is ---- “many are they who enter in through the way that leads to destruction, and they are few who find the way that leads to life” (Matt. 7:13-14); “For many are called ones, but few chosen ones (Matt. 22:14).”

3)    Believers should not choose the position according to the number of people, for it often tends to be a “remnant” that clearly knows the will of God and stands on right position. Therefore, when we have to decide one thing, we should not see men, but the Lord in us.

4)    We shall not seek worldly enjoyment with those who lead a befuddled life, but seek righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2Tim. 2:22).

5)    Since it is called “remnant”, it shows that God has still not given up the rest. Therefore, we who are of God should be in the bowel of God and preach the gospel zealously and perform the ministrations and pray for all in the hope of retrieve the whole situation.

6)    There is a fact in grace ---- the number of those who have enjoyed the grace is small.

7)    In fact, only a minority of the Christians shall be overcomers, who are personally responsible to God and receive their position. If someone teaches, “as long as one joints a certain group, he will automatically become an overcomer ---- it does not agree with the truth of the Scriptures”.

 

Rom. 11:6 “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. ”

   YLT: “and if by grace, no more of works, otherwise the grace becometh no more grace; and if of works, it is no more grace, otherwise the work is no more work.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:  

1)    God remembers man according to his inner condition, not his outer works.

2)    The mystery of enjoying grace continually after we are saved is standing in the favor firmly (Rom. 5:2). We shall live by grace to please God, never by works.

 

Rom. 11:7 “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. ”

   YLT: “What then? What Israel doth seek after, this it did not obtain, and the chosen did obtain, and the rest were hardened,”

Meaning of Words: “blind”: harden, petrify, a hardened (the layer of thick skin for the sake of repeatedly resisting against the outward irritation);

   Literal Meaning: Israel what it seeks”, it is “the righteousness of the law” (Rom. 9:31). They sought the position of being justified before God by works (Rom. 9:31-32).

Israel has not obtained”, “Israel”, it is not the whole Israel, but those who “seek the righteousness of the law”.

“But the elect have obtained it, the elect”, it refers to the remnant among the Israel (Rom. 9:27), namely, the remnant according to the election of grace (see v.5).

“And the rest were blinded”, “were blinded”, it refers to the Israel who are unwilling to hear the gospel (Rom. 10:16) and disobey and oppose God (Rom. 10:21). They refuse the faith of the Lord (Rom. 9:31-32), so God makes them dull to spiritual truth and blinded.  

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    If we do not obey the Spirit once or twice, we will be hardened and be insensitive to the guidance of the Spirit.

2)    Those who refuse the guidance of God repeatedly, we will be blinded and even can not respond to God.

 

Rom. 11:8 “Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day." ”

   YLT: “according as it hath been written, `God gave to them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear,' -- unto this very day,”

Meaning of Words: stupor”: a prickling, slumber;

   Literal Meaning: just as it is written”, the following words are quoted from the Book of Isaiah (6:10; 29:10; Deut. 29:4).

    To this very day”, the Jews are dull in spirit, from the generation of Elijah to the times of the New Testament.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Whenever we have confidence in ourselves and seek by our works, not grace, we will be blinded (v.6-7). Once we fall into such condition, God will give us a spirit of stupor that we cannot receive new revelation or enlightenment.

2)    Darkness is the greatest difficulty of us. The worst work of Satan is blinding the thoughts of men so that the light of the Christ should not shine forth (2Cor. 4:4).

 

Rom. 11:9And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.

YLT: “and David saith, `Let their table become for a snare, and for a trap, and for a stumbling-block, and for a recompense to them;”

Literal Meaning: and David says”, verse nine and ten are quoted from the Book of Psalm (69:22-23), where David referred to his enemies. Paul used it here to relate to the result that God let men be blinded. 

  “Let their table”, “table” refers to the place where men have enjoyment and pleasure.

“Become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block”, “snare” is used for catching birds; “trap” is set for catching beasts; “stumbling block” is the stone that stumbles others. Here, it means that joy is changed into disaster.

“And a recompense to them”, the Jews only focused on the appearance only, but did not believe God in heart, so the recompense of rejection befell them.

Enlightenment in the Word: joyful and enjoyable table even became disaster. Just the Israel in the wilderness, “sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to sport”, “fell in one day three and twenty thousand” (1Cor. 10:7-8). Today, some sects boast of their doings in the gathering. They call it the “enjoyment of the Lord”. However, it is the “indulgence of soul”. Watch out!

 

Rom. 11:10Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always.".

YLT: “let their eyes be darkened -- not to behold, and their back do Thou always bow down.'”

Literal Meaning: “and bow down their back always”, “bow down their back”, it indicates that their eyes can only see the earth and themselves, but cannot see the front and the heavens.

Enlightenment in the Word: if man opposes against the plan of God, his eyes will continually be darkened and his back crooked.

 

Rom. 11:11I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

YLT: “I say, then, Did they stumble that they might fall? let it not be! but by their fall the salvation to the nations, to arouse them to jealousy;”

Literal Meaning: “have they stumbled that they should fall”? “stumble”, one could stand up again; “fall”, it contains the meaning of eternal destruction; both of the words are different.

  The Jews stumbled at the stumbling-stone of Christ (Rom. 9:32), but they did not fall.

“Their fall”, it meant that the Jews had rejected the gospel and missed the chance of receiving salvation.

“To provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles”, “provoke … jealousy”, it is only one word in the original and means provoking one to jealousy and angering one (Rom. 10:19) and arousing one’s envy. However, it does not use the word negatively, for it means that that salvation comes to the Gentiles will encourage the Jews to imitate the Gentiles.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    According to the principle of God’s working, if any people of God do not obey the will of God, God will temporarily set them aside and raise another group of people to keep His will. Therefore, we should take heed today, and keep walking in the will of God, lest we be rejected.

2)    If Christians have really enjoyed the spiritual blessings on account of faith, it may even provoke those who do not believe to jealousy.

 

Rom. 11:12Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

YLT: “and if the fall of them the riches of a world, and the diminution of them the riches of nations, how much more the fullness of them?”

Meaning of Words: “failure”: shortness, faults;

Literal Meaning: “riches for the world”: the “riches for the Gentiles” mentioned above. The Gentiles who believe the Lord have obtained the full grace. Since te Jews rejected the gospel, it caused that the apostle turn to the Gentiles to preach the gospel (see Acts 13:46-48; 18:6).

“And their failure”, it amounts to “their fall” (see v.11) in the first half of the verse, and moreover, it refers to the loss brought by the fall.

“How much more their fullness”, “how much”, it shows that the gospel must bring greater satisfaction to the Gentiles. “Fullness” is the same word as “the fullness” (v.25) of the Gentiles has come in. therefore, “their fullness” shows that all Israel will be saved (see v.26).

 

Rom. 11:13For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,.

YLT: “For to you I speak -- to the nations -- inasmuch as I am indeed an apostle of nations, my ministration I do glorify;”

Literal Meaning: “I speak to you Gentiles”, this epistle was written to the assembly in Rome, where there were many gentile believers, so Paul said he spoke to you Gentiles. Today, it still speaks to the whole world.

“Inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles”, when Paul was saved, the Lord had declared that “to bear my name before nations …” (Acts 9:15; Gal. 1:16). Later the pillars of the assembly in Jerusalem James, Cephas and John saw the mission that the Lord had entrusted to Paul and encouraged him to go to work among the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7, 9). Therefore, Paul called him “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom 1:5; Gal. 2:8; 1Tim. 2:7).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    No matter the service that the Lord has entrusted to us in the assembly is small or big, we should fear and do our best to serve.

2)    We should learn the example of the Lord. He spoke with boldness what should be spoken. And he spoke out the will of God according to his status and ministry for his glorious ministry. We should not speak to please men outwardly or only consider men’s feeling.

 

Rom. 11:14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.

YLT: “if by any means I shall arouse to jealousy mine own flesh, and shall save some of them,”

 

Rom. 11:15For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

YLT: “for if the casting away of them a reconciliation of the world, what the reception -- if not life out of the dead?”

Literal Meaning: for if their being cast away”, “be cast away” is different from the word “cast away” in verse one and two; “be cast away (in this verse)” means being put aside temporarily; “cast away (in verse one)” means being rejected by God. Here, it indicates that God put most of the Jews aside temporarily for the purpose of making salvation come to the Gentiles.

“The reconciling of the world”, its meaning is similar to “riches for the world” (v.12).

“What will their acceptance be”, its meaning is similar to “their fullness” (v.12).

“But life from the dead? when Paul wrote this paragraph, the story of the prodigal’s repentance in the Gospel of Luke might float in his mind “for this my son was dead and has come to life, was lost and has been found. It was right to make merry and rejoice (Luke 15:24, 32)”. He used it to express that the joy of the returning of the Jews in the heart of our Father in the heavens is as great as the joy of life from the dead.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “Life from the dead”, the source of spiritual riches, makes us enjoy all the fullness in Christ.

2)    It is also making one obtain life from dead of retrieving a lost man that has lost in his way, isn’t it?

 

Rom. 11:16 “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

   YLT: “and if the first-fruit holy, the lump also; and if the root holy, the branches also.”

   Literal Meaning: “for if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy”, this sentence is quoted from the Book of Numbers (15:17-21). Every year in harvest the Israel offered the first-fruits of wheat for a heave-offering that represented that they offered all their harvest to God. They milled the first-fruits of wheat into dough and made a cake to offer for a heave-offering so that all the rest dough (lump) would also be holy.

“The firstfruit”, here it refers to the fathers of the Israel (see v.28) ---- they were those who were firstly accepted by God through faith. “The lump” relates to the people of Israel.

“The lump is also holy”, not all the Jews were righteous (namely, having received salvation), but God would keep the promise to them (see Rom. 3-4). Though the people of Israel temporarily were rejected by God, Paul foresaw that their future would be changed (see v.26).

“And if the root is holy, so are the branches”, it is in parallel with the first half verse, so the “root” is synonymous with “firstfruit”, so the “branch” with “lump”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    When drinking water think of its source. The fathers of the Israel firstly built normal relationship with God, and we could say that salvation was preached out of the Israel.

2)    If we Christians have some spiritual fulfillments, we have more or less inherited some help of predecessors (e.g. their examples or their sound words), and we have not got the achievements by ourselves. Godly parents may have great influence on their children.

3)    “And if the root is holy, so are the branches”, we were filthy, but Christ is holy. Once we have believed the Lord, our branches were grafted in the tree, so we are holy. Therefore, the holiness of Christians does not come from our own labor, but from the union with Christ.

 

Rom. 11:17 “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, ”

   YLT: “And if certain of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wast graffed in among them, and a fellow-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree didst become --”

   Literal Meaning: and if some of the branches were broken off, the branches” refer to the Jews who do not believe the Lord.

“And you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, a wild olive tree” relates to the Gentile believers.

“Were grafted in”, the husbandmen often graft the green branches to common trees or wild trees. However, in the parable from verse 17 to 24, it was a graftcontrary to nature” (v.24) ---- the wild olive tree (the Gentiles) was grafted into a cultivated olive tree. Such practice was contrary to nature, and it was just what Paul focused on. Generally, such graft would not bear fruit.

“And with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,the root of the olive tree” refers to the father of the Israel, who is father of faith (Rom. 4:11). “Fatness” is the full life of Christ. The whole olive tree represents the people of God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We believers will be partakers of the fatness (Christ) ---- namely, the unsearchable riches of God in Christ ---- with the Israel’s fathers (the root of the olive tree) through believing into Jesus Christ and dying with Christ (be cut) and living with Christ (be planted together).

2)    Now, all the believers of us (including the Israel and the Gentiles) are branches of the true vine tree (John 15:1, 5) and enjoy Christ as our provision of life.

3)    Branches live for bearing fruit. Every branch that does not bear fruit will be taken away (John 5:2; see v.22). Therefore, we should abide in the Lord (John 15:4-5) and enjoy the fatness of the root.

4)    The new lump is to satisfy God and the fatness of the root is to satisfy us. The counsel of God’s salvation is on one hand to gain men to be His satisfaction and on the other to make Christ our satisfaction.

 

Rom. 11:18 “do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. ”

   YLT: “do not boast against the branches; and if thou dost boast, thou dost not bear the root, but the root thee!”

   Literal Meaning: remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you”, “the root supports you”, the Gentiles shall be saved by the Jews (see John 4:22), especially by the fathers (e.g. the covenant of Abraham).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    We should not boast of ourselves before others. If we boast, we should boast of our weakness (2Cor. 12:5).

2)    We are sinners saved by the Lord and have nothing to boast of. If we boast, we should boast of the Lord. We have only one mission, namely, glorifying God.

 

Rom. 11:19 “You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." ”

   YLT: “Thou wilt say, then, `The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in;' right!”

   Literal Meaning: “branches were broken off”, “branches” refer to the unbelieving Jews.

 

Rom. 11:20 “Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. ”

   YLT: “by unbelief they were broken off, and thou hast stood by faith; be not high-minded, but be fearing;”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God can “graft” and also “break off” (see v.23) according to the His sovereignty. It makes us fear God and dare not “boast” (v.18) or “be haughty”, but rely on the loving-kindness of God.

2)    Experience tells us that whenever we do not trust in Him but rely on ourselves, our fellowship with God had been cut off. Whenever we do not rely on ourselves but on God closely and appropriate what He has done for us, we can remain standing.

 

Rom. 11:21 “For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.”

   YLT: “for if God the natural branches did not spare -- lest perhaps He also shall not spare thee.”

 

Rom. 11:22 “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. ”

   YLT: “Lo, then, goodness and severity of God -- upon those indeed who fell, severity; and upon thee, goodness, if thou mayest remain in the goodness, otherwise, thou also shalt be cut off.”

   Literal Meaning: “therefore consider the goodness and severity of God”, the heart of God is love and His works are righteous. Love produces goodness and righteousness manifests severity. God treats the world with grace and severity together ---- severity manifests in goodness, and goodness reveals in severity. We should have balanced view toward God. If we ignore His goodness, God looks like a merciless tyrant. If we neglect His severity, He looks like a father who spoils his children.

“On those who fell, severity”, God is severe to the Jews who do not believe.

“But toward you, goodness”, “you” refers to the Gentiles who believe the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The attitude of God toward men is totally decided by men’s attitude toward Christ. God is kind to those who rely on Christ and love Christ, and is severe to those who refuse Christ and hate Christ and fall.

2)    God never makes compromises or cares for anything that is not according to the will of the Lord or is unworthy of the Lord. Oh! What a real severe Lord!

 

Rom. 11:23 “And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.”

   YLT: “And those also, if they may not remain in unbelief, shall be graffed in, for God is able again to graff them in;”

   Literal Meaning: and they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, do not continue in unbelief”, it means to repent and believe that Jesus is Messiah (see v.26; Zech. 12:10) ---- it will happens when the Lord comes again.

“For God is able to graft them in again”, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26; Mark. 10:27; Luke 18:27).

 

Rom. 11:24 “For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? ”

   YLT: “for if thou, out of the olive tree, wild by nature, wast cut out, and, contrary to nature, wast graffed into a good olive tree, how much rather shall they, who according to nature, be graffed into their own olive tree?”

   Literal Meaning: and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree”, “contrary to nature”, it shows that Paul knows that such way of graft is uncommon (see v.17). It is uncommon that the Gentiles have become the household of God (see Eph. 2:19).

 

Rom. 11:25 “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ”

   YLT: “For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, of this secret -- that ye may not be wise in your own conceits -- that hardness in part to Israel hath happened till the fulness of the nations may come in;”

   Literal Meaning: for I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, “mystery” indicates what is hidden in the past is revealed publicly now that all men can understand (see Rom. 16:25; 1Cor. 2:7; 4:1; 13:2; 14:2; 15:15; Eph. 1:9; 3:3-4, 9; 5:32; 6:19; Col. 1:26-27; 2:2; 4:3; 2Thess.2:7; 1Tim. 3:9, 16).

“That blindness in part has happened to Israel”, “blindness” it can also be translated as “weak eyesight and nearly blind”. The Israel is hardened because they have no clear vision of spiritual things. Whenever they can see clearly, they will not be blind.

“Until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in”, it means that the number of the Gentiles is fulfilled, which is different from “the fulfillment of times of nations” (Luke 21:24), which means that the times during which Jerusalem is trodden down of nations is fulfilled.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God accepts us, Gentiles, into the great counsel of His salvation. It should make us humbler, not haughty or intelligent in our own sight.

2)    The Lord will not come again (or all Israel will not be saved (see v.26)) until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. therefore, the influence of the mission of preaching the gospel is great. Believers should try to preach the gospel in season out of season (2Tim. 4:2).

3)    If the assembly can undertake the great mission more faithfully ---- “make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19), she can accelerate the fullness of the Gentiles.

 

Rom. 11:26 “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;”

   YLT: “and so all Israel shall be saved, according as it hath been written, `There shall come forth out of Sion he who is delivering, and he shall turn away impiety from Jacob,”

   Literal Meaning: and so all Israel will be saved, “and”, it is emphatic and means it is so. “All Israel” does not refer to all the Jews from ages and from generations, but most of the Israel (who represents all Israel) when the Lord Jesus comes again ---- they are moved by some signs and believe the dispensation of God’s salvation that they are saved.

“As it is written”, the following words are quoted from the Book of Isaiah (19:20) according to the general meanings.

The Deliverer will come out of Zion, Deliverer” refers to the Messiah, namely, Christ in Greek. “Zion” is the center of power when the Messiah reigns on the earth.

And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob”, “Jacob” is Israel;

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    All Israel’s being saved is even closely related to the fullness of the Gentiles. The future of both Israel and Gentiles is closely linked.

2)    It seems that God has rejected them because of their rebellion and saved the Gentiles. Finally, their sins are remitted and they are saved through the Deliverer who comes out of Zion, unveiling that “God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew” (v.2) and proving that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (v.29). Our God is always faithful.

 

Rom. 11:27 “For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." ”

   YLT: “and this to them the covenant from Me, when I may take away their sins.'”

   Literal Meaning: “for”, the following words are quoted from the Book of Jeremiah (31:34) and the Book of Zechariah (19:20) according to the general meanings.

When I take away their sins”, “take away their sins”, namely, the remission of sins; their sins are forgiven because of their repentance and faith (see v.23; Zech. 12:10-13:1).

“This is My covenant with them, covenant” is the New Covenant that God has established with all Israel (Jer. 31:31-34; see Heb. 8:10-12).

   Enlightenment in the Word: man himself is tainted with sins, but it is the Lord that cleanses the sins. Once we leave the Lord, we will sin. Whenever we turn to the Lord, He will forgive us (1John 1:9).

 

Rom. 11:28 “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.”

   YLT: “As regards, indeed, the good tidings, enemies on your account; and as regards the choice -- beloved on account of the fathers;”

   Literal Meaning: they are enemies for your sake, “you” refers to the Gentile believers; “enemies”, it is a provisional state: the Israel is a bit hostile to Christian.

“They are beloved for the sake of the fathers”, “for the sake of the fathers”, God chose the fathers of Israel so that all Israel would be beloved. The Israel takes up a special position in the heart of God.

  

Rom. 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

   YLT: “for unrepented of the gifts and the calling of God;”

   Literal Meaning: irrevocable”, it unveils that God will not change His will. Though the Israel is in unbelief today, the will of God will be ultimately fulfilled in them.

   Enlightenment in the Word: since God has chosen called the Israel, He will treat them graciously in the end. Likewise, God has chosen and called us, He will always treat us graciously. Thank the Lord! No matter what conditions we are in, His gifts and calling are always irrevocable.

 

Rom. 11:30 “For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,”

   YLT: “for as ye also once did not believe in God, and now did find kindness by the unbelief of these:”

 

Rom. 11:31 “even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.”

   YLT: “so also these now did not believe, that in your kindness they also may find kindness;”

 

Rom. 11:32 “For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.”

   YLT: “for God did shut up together the whole to unbelief, that to the whole He might do kindness.”

   Literal Meaning: “for God has committed them all to disobedience, “all” refers to the Israel and the Gentiles. Both of them have a period of disobedience respectively. “Disobedience” means not obeying the gospel (Rom. 10:16).

“That He might have mercy on all”, God’s mercy came to the Israel at first because of the disobedience of the Gentiles. Later, God’s mercy came to the Gentiles (see v.11) on account of the disobedience of the Israel (Rom. 10:3).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Man’s disobedience has perfected God’s mercy. God’s “merciful” nature makes Him show mercy to those who are unworthy. How amazing!

2)    God treats believers who are temporarily weak still “with mercy” and always brings them back to the enjoyment of grace.

 

Rom. 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ”

   YLT: “O depth of riches, and wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!”

   Literal Meaning: the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” after Paul has declared the counsel of God’s salvation in chapter nine to eleven, and he praises at the end of the three chapters in verse 33 to 36 ---- Paul’s praise unto God is naturally revealed here. God’s riches, wisdom and knowledge bring about the great counsel that makes both the Israel and the Gentiles be saved.

    “Wisdom and knowledge” are slightly different. “Wisdom” relates to the creative or original idea of things, focusing on the principle and counsel; “knowledge” is the practical application of the creative thing created by wisdom, focusing on detailed rules and ways.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God shows mercy to the Gentiles because of the disobedience of the Israel and provokes the Israel on account of the Gentiles’ being saved (v.11-12) so that the Israel is willing to repent and receive grace. The unsearchable wisdom of God is manifested here. How “full” and “unsearchable”!

2)    The grace of God’s election is totally according to His mercy, sovereignty, wisdom, faithfulness and etc. ---- all these are the fullness of God’s nature. And God’s full nature is fully manifested in His dealings with His people

.

Rom. 11:34 “"For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" ”

   YLT: “for who did know the mind of the Lord? or who did become His counsellor?”

   Literal Meaning: who has known the mind of the LORD?” ---- It is quoted from the Book of Isaiah (40:13).

 

Rom. 11:35 “"Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" ”

   YLT: “or who did first give to Him, and it shall be given back to him again?”

   Literal Meaning: who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” ---- It is quoted from the Book of Job (41:11).

   Enlightenment in the Word: it is not man can work for God, but God gives everything to man in Christ.

 

Rom. 11:36 “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. ”

   YLT: “because of Him, and through Him, and to Him the all things; to Him the glory -- to the ages. Amen.”

   Literal Meaning: of Him and through Him and to Him are all things”, some Bible exegetes hold that “of Him” and through Him and to Him” are parallel to the three kinds of nature of God in verse 33 ---- “riches”, “wisdom” and “knowledge”. Paul’s excellent writing techniques are thus clearly manifested here.

    Some other Bible exegetes think that “of Him” here echoes to God’s election in the past in chapter nine, and “through Him” responds to God’s ways today stated in chapter ten and “to Him” echoes to God’s dispensation in the future stated in chapter eleven. Glory should always be given unto God in the past, at present and in the future.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God’s works are not easy to understand. We should receive them with a grateful and praising heart.

2)    God Himself plans and reigns. No one can dominate Him. Only God knows how to be the best. God has sovereignty and rules all.

3)    The ways of God’s works are beyond our knowledge. Therefore, we should trust in Him and give glory unto Him.

4)    The whole universe and human beings are “of Him”. He is the Creator and He is the origin. All is of Him.

5)    “Through Him”, the universe can work and man can live. Without Him, we are nothing and can do nothing (John 15:5b).

6)    The purpose of our life is “to Him”, and all lives for Him.

7)    All is “of Him” ---- it unveils that all is created by Christ, who is the only origin of all. All is “through Him” ---- it reveals that all is established by Christ, who is the only One, through Whom all is upheld and maintained and jointed. All is “to” Him ---- it indicates that all is inherited by Christ, who is the significance of the existence of all as well as the ultimate goal (see Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:16-17). Oh, what a Christ, “to whom be glory forever. Amen”!

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Interaction Between the Israel and the Gentiles

A.   The “stumbling” and “fall” of Israel, and salvation has come to the Gentiles (v.11);

B.   That salvation comes to the Gentiles provokes them to jealousy (v.11);

C.   The “fall” and “shortage” of Israel lead to the riches for the Gentiles (v.12);

D.   The fullness of Israel brings about more fullness to the Israel (v.12);

 

The Gentiles Should Be Warned Because of the Israel

A.   The Gentile believers should not boast (v.17-18):

1.    The Jews have not been totally rejected;

2.    The Gentiles were a wild olive tree, and the branches were grafted contrary to nature. We are inferior to the Jews who believe the Lord.

B.   The Gentile believers should not be haughty (v.19-21):

1.    Believers should believe ----- we should firmly keep the position of believing;

2.    Believers should fear ---- if we do not believe, we will be broken off;

3.    Believers should take heed of salvation that they have received (v.22): God cannot be mocked.

4.    If the Jews believe, they can be grafted in at any time (v.23-24).

 

Three Points Concerning God

A.   God’s goodness ---- He is gracious (v.22);

B.   God’s authority ---- He is severe to those who fall (v.22);

C.   God’s omnipotence ---- for He is able to graft them in again (v.23);

 

Praising God From Three Aspects

A.   God’s fullness (v.33) ---- who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him (v.35) ---- all is to Him (v.36);

B.   God’s wisdom (v.33) ---- How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out (v.33) ---- all is of Him (v.36);

C.   God’s knowledge (v.33) ---- who has known the mind of the LORD Or who has become His counselor (v.34) ---- all is through Him (v.36);

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou