Romans 11:1-22 ▼

1 I SAY, then, has God rejected his people? Far be it. For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not rejected his people which he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah? How he complained to God against Israel, saying,

3 My LORD, they have killed your prophets and have demolished your altars; and I am left alone; and they seek my life.

4 And it was said to him in a vision: Behold I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not knelt on their knees to worship Baal.

5 Even so at the present time a remnant is preserved, elected by the grace.

6 And if by grace, then it is not by works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if by works, then it is not by grace: otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel has not obtained that which he sought; but the elected ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded in their hearts.

8 As it is written, God has given them a stubborn spirit, eyes that cannot see, and ears that cannot hear, to this very day.

9 And David said, Let their table become a snare, and a trap and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them.

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and let their backs be bowed down always.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? Far be it. But rather by their stumbling salvation has come to the Gentiles, in order to make them zealous.

12 Now if their stumbling has resulted in riches to the world, and their condemnation in riches to the Gentiles; how much more is their restoration?

13 It is to you Gentiles that I speak, inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, and perhaps magnify my ministry:

14 But if I am able to make those who are my flesh zealous, I may thus save some of them.

15 And if their rejection has resulted in reconciliation of the world, how much more will their restoration be? Indeed it will be life from the dead.

16 For if the first fruit is holy, the rest of the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches were cut off, and you who are a branch of a wild olive tree have been grafted in their place, and you have become a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Do not boast over the branches. For if you boast, it is not you who sustains the root, but the root sustains you.

19 Perhaps you may say, The branches were cut off that I might be grafted in their place.

20 Well; they were cut off because of their unbelief, but you exist by faith. Be not highminded, but fear God.

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, it may well be he will not spare you.

22 Consider therefore the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but on you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also will be cut off.