Romans 11:2
God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:
God did not reject
This phrase emphasizes the faithfulness and unchanging nature of God. The Greek word for "reject" is "apōtheō," which means to thrust away or cast off. In the context of Romans 11, Paul is addressing concerns about whether God has abandoned His people, Israel. Historically, this reassures believers that God's promises are irrevocable. The covenantal relationship established with Israel remains intact, reflecting God's steadfast love and commitment.

His people
The term "His people" refers specifically to the Israelites, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This phrase underscores the special relationship between God and Israel, chosen as His covenant people. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is depicted as God's treasured possession, a nation set apart to demonstrate His glory to the world. This relationship is foundational to understanding the narrative of redemption that unfolds in the Bible.

whom He foreknew
The word "foreknew" comes from the Greek "proginōskō," meaning to know beforehand. This indicates God's omniscience and sovereign plan. In a theological context, it suggests that God's choice of Israel was not arbitrary but part of His divine purpose. This foreknowledge is not merely awareness but implies a relational knowing, indicating God's intimate involvement with His people from the beginning.

Do you not know
This rhetorical question is a common device used by Paul to engage his readers and provoke thought. It serves to remind the audience of truths they should already be aware of, reinforcing the continuity of God's plan. This phrase invites believers to reflect on their understanding of Scripture and God's dealings with humanity.

what the Scripture says
Here, Paul appeals to the authority of Scripture, which for his audience would primarily be the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. This phrase underscores the importance of Scripture as the ultimate source of truth and guidance. It reflects the conservative Christian view that the Bible is divinely inspired and authoritative in matters of faith and practice.

in the passage about Elijah
Paul references the account of Elijah, found in 1 Kings 19, to illustrate God's faithfulness. Elijah, feeling isolated and despondent, believed he was the only faithful one left in Israel. However, God revealed that He had preserved a remnant. This historical account serves as a powerful reminder that God always maintains a faithful remnant, even in times of widespread unbelief or apostasy.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The sovereign Creator who has a covenant relationship with Israel and foreknows His people.

2. Israel
The nation chosen by God, often seen as His people in the Old Testament, with whom He has made everlasting covenants.

3. Elijah
A prophet in the Old Testament who appealed to God during a time of widespread idolatry in Israel.

4. Paul
The apostle and author of the Book of Romans, addressing the issue of God's faithfulness to Israel.

5. The Remnant
A concept referring to the faithful few within Israel who remain true to God despite widespread apostasy.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His promises. This reassures believers of God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His covenant people.

The Role of the Remnant
Throughout history, God has preserved a faithful remnant. This encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing they are part of a larger, enduring community of faith.

Understanding Foreknowledge
God's foreknowledge is not merely foresight but involves a relational knowing. Believers can find comfort in the fact that God knows them intimately and has a purpose for their lives.

The Importance of Intercession
Elijah's appeal to God serves as a model for intercessory prayer. Believers are encouraged to pray for their communities and nations, trusting in God's power to bring about change.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Even when circumstances seem dire, as in Elijah's time, believers can trust in God's sovereign plan and His ability to work all things for good.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's foreknowledge provide comfort and assurance in your personal faith journey?

2. In what ways can you identify with Elijah's feelings of isolation, and how can you find encouragement in the concept of the remnant?

3. How does the account of Elijah's appeal to God challenge or inspire your own prayer life?

4. What are some modern-day examples of God's faithfulness to His people, and how can these examples strengthen your trust in Him?

5. How can you actively participate in being part of the faithful remnant in today's world, and what steps can you take to encourage others in your community to do the same?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 19
This passage recounts Elijah's appeal to God against Israel, providing the context for Paul's reference in Romans 11:2.

Romans 8:29-30
Discusses God's foreknowledge and predestination, connecting to the idea of God not rejecting those He foreknew.

Jeremiah 31:37
Emphasizes God's enduring commitment to Israel, reinforcing the idea that God has not rejected His people.

1 Samuel 12:22
Highlights God's faithfulness to His people for His name's sake, aligning with the theme of divine commitment in Romans 11:2.
DespondencyJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:1-10
God Hath not Cast Off His PeopleJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:1-10
God's Church Wider than Man'sC. Short, M.A.Romans 11:1-10
God's PeopleJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:1-10
God's RemainderBp. Huntington.Romans 11:1-10
Grace and UnbeliefT.F. Lockyer Romans 11:1-10
Israel not Utterly RejectedC.H. Irwin Romans 11:1-10
Mistakes Concerning the Number of the RighteousW. Jay.Romans 11:1-10
The Answer of God to ElijahElnathan Parr, B.D.Romans 11:1-10
The Election of GraceR.M. Edgar Romans 11:1-10
The Glory Which Will Redound to God from the Conversion of the JewsJ. Harris, D.D.Romans 11:1-10
The Old Testament ScripturesJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:1-10
The Prophet's Complaint and God's AnswerJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:1-10
The Rejection of IsraelJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:1-10
The Remnant, the Admonition, and the HopeW. Tyson.Romans 11:1-10
People
Benjamin, David, Elias, Elijah, Jacob, Paul, Romans
Places
Rome, Zion
Topics
Appealed, Beforehand, Cast, Didn't, Elias, Elijah, Eli'jah, Foreknew, History, Holy, Ignorant, Intercession, Maketh, Passage, Plead, Pleaded, Pleadeth, Pleads, Reject, Rejected, Saying, Says, Scripture, Selection, Speaking, Wot, Writing, Writings
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Romans 11:2

     1020   God, all-knowing
     1412   foreknowledge

Romans 11:1-6

     6639   election, to salvation

Romans 11:1-12

     6710   privileges
     7135   Israel, people of God

Romans 11:1-18

     7125   elect, the

Romans 11:1-36

     4492   olive

Library
June 19. "Who Hath First Given to Him, and it Shall be Recompensed unto Him Again" (Rom. xi. 35).
"Who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again" (Rom. xi. 35). The Christian women of the world have it in their power, by a very little sacrifice, to add millions to the treasury of the Lord. Beloved sisters, have you found the joy of sacrifice for Jesus? Have you given up something that you might give it to Him? Are you giving your substance to Jesus? He will take it, and He will give you a thousandfold more. I should rather be connected with a work founded on great sacrifice
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Trinity Sunday the Article of Faith on the Trinity.
Text: Romans 11, 33-36. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen. THE ARTICLE OF FAITH ON THE TRINITY. 1. This epistle is read today because the festival
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 11, 33-36. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon was first printed in 1535, at Wittenberg.] 1. This festival requires us to instruct the people in the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and to strengthen both memory and faith concerning it. This is the reason why we take up the subject once more. Without proper instruction and a sound foundation in this regard, other dogmas cannot be rightly and successfully treated. The other festivals of the year present
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Spiritual Blindness.
"As it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear."--ROMANS xi. 8. "Blindness in part is happened to Israel."--ROMANS xi. 25. It is a sad and painful reflection, and one which is continually forced upon us as we read the New Testament, that the long training and preparation of the Jews brought them at the last not to the acceptance but to the rejection of Jesus. They had been taught, generation after generation, that they
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Christianity Requires the Temper of Childhood.
MARK x. 15.--"Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." These words of our Lord are very positive and emphatic, and will, therefore, receive a serious attention from every one who is anxious concerning his future destiny beyond the grave. For, they mention an indispensable requisite in order to an entrance into eternal life. "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

The Hardening of Nations.
"The election hath obtained it, and the rest were hardened."-- Rom. xi. 7. St. Paul's word, at the head of this article, is strikingly impressive, and its content exceedingly rich and instructive. It clearly announces the fact that the hardening is not exceptional or occasional, but universal, affecting all, who, being in contact with the divine Love, are not saved by it. The last limitation is necessary, for of the heathen it can not be said that they are hardened. Only they can be hardened who
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Of Holy virginity
Of Holy Virginity. [De Virginitate.] Translated by Rev. C. I. Cornish, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford Retr. ii. 23. "After I had written on the Good of Marriage,' it was expected that I should write on Holy Virginity; and I did not delay to do so: and that it is God's gift, and how great a gift, and with what humility to be guarded, so far as I was able I set forth in one volume. This book begins," &c. c1. We lately put forth a book "of the Good of Marriage," in which also we admonished and admonish
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Now this Election the Apostle Demonstrating to Be...
17. Now this election the Apostle demonstrating to be, not of merits going before in good works, but election of grace, saith thus: "And in this time a remnant by election of grace is saved. But if by grace, then is it no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace." [2672] This is election of grace; that is, election in which through the grace of God men are elected: this, I say, is election of grace which goes before all good merits of men. For if it be to any good merits that it is given,
St. Augustine—On Patience

History of Arian Opinions.
Arius's own sentiments; his Thalia and Letter to S. Alexander; corrections by Eusebius and others; extracts from the works of Asterius; letter of the Council of Jerusalem; first Creed of Arians at the Dedication of Antioch; second, Lucian's on the same occasion; third, by Theophronius; fourth, sent to Constans in Gaul; fifth, the Macrostich sent into Italy; sixth, at Sirmium; seventh, at the same place; and eighth also, as given above in §8; ninth, at Seleucia; tenth, at Constantinople; eleventh,
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Epistle Xliii. To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops.
To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops. Gregory to Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria, and Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. When the excellent preacher says, As long as I am the apostle of the Gentiles I will honour my ministry (Rom. xi. 13); saying again in another place, We became as babes among you (1 Thess. ii. 7), he undoubtedly shews an example to us who come after him, that we should retain humility in our minds, and yet keep in honour the dignity of our order, so that neither should our humility be
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Beatific vision. (Continued. )
In the Beatific Vision our intellect is glorified, and our thirst for knowledge completely satisfied. Man was created with a thirst for knowledge which can never be satiated in this world. Sin, which greatly weakened and darkened his mental faculties, has not taken away his desire and love for knowledge. And the knowledge which he acquired by eating the forbidden fruit, rather increased than satisfied his thirst. But all his efforts to reach the perfection of knowledge, even in the natural order,
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be the glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). Has God foreordained everything that comes to pass? Has He decreed that what is, was to have been? In the final analysis this is only another way of asking, Is God now governing the world and everyone and everything in it? If God is governing the world then is He governing it according to a definite purpose, or aimlessly and at random? If He is governing it according to some purpose, then
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Reprobation Asserted: Or, the Doctrine of Eternal Election and Reprobation Promiscuously Handled, in Eleven Chapters.
WHEREIN THE MOST MATERIAL OBJECTIONS MADE BY THE OPPOSERS OF THIS DOCTRINE, ARE FULLY ANSWERED; SEVERAL DOUBTS REMOVED, AND SUNDRY CASES OF CONSCIENCE RESOLVED. BY JOHN BUNYAN OF BEDFORD, A LOVER OF PEACE AND TRUTH. 'What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.'--Romans 11:7 London: Printed for G. L., and are to be sold in Turn-stile-alley, in Holbourn. Small 4to, 44 pages. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This valuable tract
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Original and the Actual Relation of Man to Law.
ROMANS vii. 10.--"The commandment which, was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." The reader of St. Paul's Epistles is struck with the seemingly disparaging manner in which he speaks of the moral law. In one place, he tells his reader that "the law entered that the offence might abound;" in another, that "the law worketh wrath;" in another, that "sin shall not have dominion" over the believer because he is "not under the law;" in another, that Christians "are become dead to the law;" in
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

"Wash You, Make You Clean; Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from Before Mine Eyes; Cease to do Evil,"
Isaiah i. 16.--"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil," &c. There are two evils in sin,--one is the nature of it, another the fruit and sad effect of it. In itself it is filthiness, and contrary to God's holiness; an abasing of the immortal soul; a spot in the face of the Lord of the creatures, that hath far debased him under them all. Though it be so unnatural to us, yet it is now in our fallen estate become, as it were, natural, so that
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

God's Works of Providence
Rom. xi. 36.--"For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, Amen."--Psal. ciii. 19.--"The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth over all."--Matt. x. 29.--"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." There is nothing more commonly confessed in words, than that the providence of God reaches to all the creatures and their actions, but I believe there is no point of religion
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Because of Its Bearing Upon the Gentiles.
This aspect of our subject has not received the attention which it deserves. It has been assumed by some that the present dispensation is the time when God is blessing the Gentiles and that in the Millennium the Jews will be the special objects of God's favor. It is true that in the Millennium Israel shall enter into the enjoyment of their inheritance and that at that time they shall occupy the chief position, governmentally, among the nations, but it is a mistake to suppose that the Gentiles will
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Some General Uses.
Before we come to speak of some particular cases of deadness, wherein believers are to make use of Christ as the Life, we shall first propose some useful consequences and deductions from what hath been spoken of this life; and, I. The faith of those things, which have been mentioned, would be of great use and advantage to believers; and therefore they should study to have the faith of this truth fixed on their hearts, and a deep impression thereof on their spirits, to the end, that, 1. Be their case
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Work of the Holy Spirit Distinguished.
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."--Gen. i. 2. What, in general, is the work of the Holy Spirit as distinguished from that of the Father and of the Son? Not that every believer needs to know these distinctions in all particulars. The existence of faith does not depend upon intellectual distinctions. The main question is not whether we can distinguish the work of the Father from that of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, but whether we have experienced their gracious operations.
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

I Fear, I Say, Greatly for Thee, Lest...
39. I fear, I say, greatly for thee, lest, when thou boastest that thou wilt follow the Lamb wheresoever He shall have gone, thou be unable by reason of swelling pride to follow Him through strait ways. It is good for thee, O virgin soul, that thus, as thou art a virgin, thus altogether keeping in thy heart that thou hast been born again, keeping in thy flesh that thou hast been born, thou yet conceive of the fear of the Lord, and give birth to the spirit of salvation. [2142] "Fear," indeed, "there
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Concerning the Ministry.
Concerning the Ministry. As by the light or gift of God all true knowledge in things spiritual is received and revealed, so by the same, as it is manifested and received in the heart, by the strength and power thereof, every true minister of the gospel is ordained, prepared, and supplied in the work of the ministry; and by the leading, moving, and drawing hereof ought every evangelist and Christian pastor to be led and ordered in his labour and work of the gospel, both as to the place where, as to
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Angel's Message and Song
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD . And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

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