Verse by verse explanation of Romans 11
The apostle Paul says here that God has not rejected Israel. The Zionists claim that this means that Israel is still God's people. But that is not what the verse says, the verse just says "God has not rejected Israel". Now what is meant by that? Let's read the second half of the first verse: "For I myself am an Israelite". The second half of the first verse explains the meaning of the first half of the first verse. What Paul wants to say is: "Has God destined the WHOLE Jewish people for eternal hell? No! For I am the best example that a Jew can follow Christ." Paul is addressing this chapter to people who have claimed that all Jews are destined for eternal damnation and are therefore unable to accept the truth. Paul makes it clear: "No, that is wrong! A Jew can become a Christian too"1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? Far from it! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.
The Zionists also claim that because Paul still calls Israel "HIS people", i.e. God's people, Israel is still God's people. But that is not the case. The reason why Paul says "HIS people" here is merely for identification. Even followers of replacement theology sometimes say about Israel "God's people killed the Messiah" They call Israel God's people, but not because they believe that Israel is still God's people, but purely as an identification. We also find an example in the Bible. In Matt 26:47, the narrator of the Gospel calls Judas "one of the twelve" although he no longer belonged to the twelve but was replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26). The narrator calls Judas "one of the twelve" purely out of identification.
This passage confirms what I wrote in the previous passage. Paul explains here that just as there was a remnant of good Jews in Elijah's time, there is also a remnant of good Jews who follow Christ now (Rom 9:27). He thus clearly states: "There are Jews who can become Christians." He clearly contradicts the idea that "no Jew can become a Christian".Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace. 7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day.”
King David curses the disobedient Jews.9 And David says, “May their table become a snare and a trap, And a stumbling block and a retribution to them. 10 May their eyes be darkened to see not, And bend their backs continually.”
Be careful, Paul is not saying here that the Jews should be thanked for killing Jesus. For the killing of Jesus was clearly a sin, see Mark 14:21 and John 19:11. Paul says here that the result of the murder of Jesus is good, because Jesus died for sins. But just because the result is good does not mean that the murder of Jesus is good in itself. The murder of Jesus remains sin and injustice, because the only innocent person was killed.11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? Far from it! But by their wrongdoing salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their wrongdoing proves to be riches for the world, and their failure, riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 if somehow I may move my own people to jealousy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection proves to be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.
Paul also says in this passage that a Jew who accepts Jesus is free from the blood guilt of Jesus. The blood guilt of Jesus weighs on whole Israel according to Matt 27:25, but a Jew who accepts Jesus will be freed from it and partake of eternal life. The sacrifice of Jesus is powerful enough.
Again, it is clear that Paul is addressing the chapter to those who claim that all Jews are incapable of accepting the truth. He calls them arrogant and makes it clear again: "Yes, the Jews have fallen away through unbelief, but a Jew is able to accept Jesus and if he does, he will be grafted into the tree of life" You can't call all Jews bad and evil, because although most of them will go to hell, a small remnant will/has accepted Jesus.17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
"All" here refers only to those Jews who accepted Jesus. It does not, as some crazy Zionists think, also refer to Jews who rejected Jesus. The same mistake is made by universalists who read a passage where it says that all people will be saved and think that it also refers to people who rejected Jesus. But this is not true, "all" refers to all people who have accepted Jesus.25 For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” 27 “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”
A Jew who accepts Jesus will have his sins taken away, just as a Gentile will have his sins taken away if he accepts Jesus. For this promise applies to Jews and Gentiles, see Rom 10:12-13.
God loves the Jews in the sense that he also offers them salvation as well as the whole world (John 3:16) and every Jew who accepts Jesus will receive the blessings of God, because the blessings of God for those who accept Jesus are irrevocable. But every Jew who rejects Jesus is hated by God, just like every Gentile who rejects Jesus. Because without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).28 In relation to the gospel they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He may show mercy to all.
Conclusion:
The Bible does not support the idea that the ethnic people of Israel are still God's people. Jesus clearly stated that the ethnic Jews have lost the kingdom of God (Matt 21:43) and will be given to a new people, which is the Christians. Paul says that Christians, whether ethnic Jew or Gentile, are the true children of Abraham and thus the heirs of the promises. (Gal 3:28-29). Paul says that Christians, whether ethnic Jew or Gentile, are the true Jews (Rom 2:28-29). Jesus calls the ethnic Jews who reject Him false Jews (Rev 2:9), because the true Jews are those who follow Him (John 8:39). The Bible does not support Zionism but replacement theology.
Praise be to Jesus.
