Romans 11:1-6 ▼

1 So I ask, |Has God rejected his people Israel?| That's unthinkable! Consider this. I'm an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not rejected his people whom he knew long ago. Don't you know what Elijah says in the Scripture passage when he complains to God about Israel? He says,

3 |Lord, they've killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I'm the only one left, and they're trying to take my life.|

4 But what was God's reply? God said, |I've kept 7,000 people for myself who have not knelt to worship Baal.|

5 So, as there were then, there are now a few left that God has chosen by his kindness.

6 If they were chosen by God's kindness, they weren't chosen because of anything they did. Otherwise, God's kindness wouldn't be kindness.