Rom.11.1
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom.11.1
Does this mean, then, that God is so fed up with Israel that he'll have nothing more to do with them? Hardly. Remember that I, the one writing these things, am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham out of the tribe of Benjamin. You can't get much more Semitic than that!
Rom.11.1
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom.11.1
I 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.
Rom.11.1
I ask, then, has God rejected his people, the Jews? Of course not! Remember that I myself am a Jew, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom.11.2
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Rom.11.2
So we're not talking about repudiation. God has been too long involved with Israel, has too much invested, to simply wash his hands of them. Do you remember that time Elijah was agonizing over this same Israel and cried out in prayer?
Rom.11.2
God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah--how he appealed to God against Israel:
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,
Rom.11.2
No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said,
Rom.11.3
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Rom.11.3
God, they murdered your prophets, They trashed your altars; I'm the only one left and now they're after me!
Rom.11.3
"Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"?
Rom.11.3
"LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"?
Rom.11.3
"Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."
Rom.11.4
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Rom.11.4
And do you remember God's answer? I still have seven thousand who haven't quit, Seven thousand who are loyal to the finish.
Rom.11.4
And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
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."
Rom.11.4
And do you remember God's reply? He said, "You are not the only one left. I have seven thousand others who have never bowed down to Baal!"
Rom.11.5
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom.11.5
It's the same today. There's a fiercely loyal minority still--not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think.
Rom.11.5
So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
Rom.11.5
Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom.11.5
It is the same today, for not all the Jews have turned away from God. A few are being saved as a result of God's kindness in choosing them.
Rom.11.6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Rom.11.6
They're holding on, not because of what they think they're going to get out of it, but because they're convinced of God's grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago.
Rom.11.6
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
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.
Rom.11.6
And if they are saved by God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's wonderful kindness would not be what it really is--free and undeserved.
Rom.11.7
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Rom.11.7
And then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn't succeed. The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy. The "self-interest Israel" became thick-skinned toward God.
Rom.11.7
What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
Rom.11.7
What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Rom.11.7
So this is the situation: Most of the Jews have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have--the ones God has chosen--but the rest were made unresponsive.
Rom.11.8
According 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;) unto this day.
Rom.11.8
Moses and Isaiah both commented on this: Fed up with their quarrelsome, self-centered ways, God blurred their eyes and dulled their ears, Shut them in on themselves in a hall of mirrors, and they're there to this day.
Rom.11.8
as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."
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."
Rom.11.8
As the Scriptures say, "God has put them into a deep sleep. To this very day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear."
Rom.11.9
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Rom.11.9
David was upset about the same thing: I hope they get sick eating self-serving meals, break a leg walking their self-serving ways.
Rom.11.9
And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
Rom.11.9
And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
Rom.11.9
David spoke of this same thing when he said, "Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble.
Rom.11.10
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Rom.11.10
I hope they go blind staring in their mirrors, get ulcers from playing at god.
Rom.11.10
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."
Rom.11.10
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."
Rom.11.10
Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs grow weaker and weaker."
Rom.11.11
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Rom.11.11
The next question is, "Are they down for the count? Are they out of this for good?" And the answer is a clear-cut no. Ironically when they walked out, they left the door open and the outsiders walked in. But the next thing you know, the Jews were starting to wonder if perhaps they had walked out on a good thing.
Rom.11.11
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
Rom.11.11
I 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.
Rom.11.11
Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! His purpose was to make his salvation available to the Gentiles, and then the Jews would be jealous and want it for themselves.
Rom.11.12
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
Rom.11.12
Now, if their leaving triggered this worldwide coming of non-Jewish outsiders to God's kingdom, just imagine the effect of their coming back! What a homecoming!
Rom.11.12
But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
Rom.11.12
Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
Rom.11.12
Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the Jews turned down God's offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when the Jews finally accept it.
Rom.11.13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Rom.11.13
But I don't want to go on about them. It's you, the outsiders, that I'm concerned with now. Because my personal assignment is focused on the so-called outsiders, I make as much of this as I can
Rom.11.13
I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry
Rom.11.13
For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
Rom.11.13
I am saying all of this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I lay great stress on this,
Rom.11.14
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Rom.11.14
when I'm among my Israelite kin, the so-called insiders, hoping they'll realize what they're missing and want to get in on what God is doing.
Rom.11.14
in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.
Rom.11.14
if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.
Rom.11.14
for I want to find a way to make the Jews want what you Gentiles have, and in that way I might save some of them.
Rom.11.15
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
Rom.11.15
If their falling out initiated this worldwide coming together, their recovery is going to set off something even better: mass homecoming! If the first thing the Jews did, even though it was wrong for them, turned out for your good, just think what's going to happen when they get it right!
Rom.11.15
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Rom.11.15
For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Rom.11.15
For since the Jews' rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, how much more wonderful their acceptance will be. It will be life for those who were dead!
Rom.11.16
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Rom.11.16
Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit.
Rom.11.16
If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Rom.11.16
For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Rom.11.16
And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their children will also be holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.
Rom.11.17
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Rom.11.17
Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root
Rom.11.17
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,
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,
Rom.11.17
But some of these branches from Abraham's tree, some of the Jews, have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, were grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in God's rich nourishment of his special olive tree.
Rom.11.18
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Rom.11.18
gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.
Rom.11.18
do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
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.
Rom.11.18
But you must be careful not to brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. Remember, you are just a branch, not the root.
Rom.11.19
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Rom.11.19
It's certainly possible to say, "Other branches were pruned so that I could be grafted in!"
Rom.11.19
You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."
Rom.11.19
You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in."
Rom.11.19
"Well," you may say, "those branches were broken off to make room for me."
Rom.11.20
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom.11.20
Well and good. But they were pruned because they were deadwood, no longer connected by belief and commitment to the root. The only reason you're on the tree is because your graft "took" when you believed, and because you're connected to that belief-nurturing root. So don't get cocky and strut your branch. Be humbly mindful of the root that keeps you lithe and green.
Rom.11.20
Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
Rom.11.20
Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.
Rom.11.20
Yes, but remember--those branches, the Jews, were broken off because they didn't believe God, and you are there because you do believe. Don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.
Rom.11.21
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom.11.21
If God didn't think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn't give it a second thought.
Rom.11.21
For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
Rom.11.21
For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
Rom.11.21
For if God did not spare the branches he put there in the first place, he won't spare you either.
Rom.11.22
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Rom.11.22
Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God--ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot. But don't presume on this gentleness. The moment you become deadwood, you're out of there.
Rom.11.22
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
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.
Rom.11.22
Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe to those who disobeyed, but kind to you as you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
Rom.11.23
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
Rom.11.23
And don't get to feeling superior to those pruned branches down on the ground. If they don't persist in remaining deadwood, they could very well get grafted back in. God can do that. He can perform miracle grafts.
Rom.11.23
And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
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.
Rom.11.23
And if the Jews turn from their unbelief, God will graft them back into the tree again. He has the power to do it.
Rom.11.24
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Rom.11.24
Why, if he could graft you--branches cut from a tree out in the wild--into an orchard tree, he certainly isn't going to have any trouble grafting branches back into the tree they grew from in the first place. Just be glad you're in the tree, and hope for the best for the others.
Rom.11.24
After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
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?
Rom.11.24
For if God was willing to take you who were, by nature, branches from a wild olive tree and graft you into his own good tree--a very unusual thing to do--he will be far more eager to graft the Jews back into the tree where they belong.
Rom.11.25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom.11.25
I want to lay all this out on the table as clearly as I can, friends. This is complicated. It would be easy to misinterpret what's going on and arrogantly assume that you're royalty and they're just rabble, out on their ears for good. But that's not it at all. This hardness on the part of insider Israel toward God is temporary. Its effect is to open things up to all the outsiders so that we end up with a full house.
Rom.11.25
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
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.
Rom.11.25
I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud and start bragging. Some of the Jews have hard hearts, but this will last only until the complete number of Gentiles comes to Christ.
Rom.11.26
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom.11.26
Before it's all over, there will be a complete Israel. As it is written, A champion will stride down from the mountain of Zion; he'll clean house in Jacob.
Rom.11.26
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
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;
Rom.11.26
And so all Israel will be saved. Do you remember what the prophets said about this? "A Deliverer will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel from all ungodliness.
Rom.11.27
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom.11.27
And this is my commitment to my people: removal of their sins.
Rom.11.27
And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
Rom.11.27
For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
Rom.11.27
And then I will keep my covenant with them and take away their sins."
Rom.11.28
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom.11.28
From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends.
Rom.11.28
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,
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.
Rom.11.28
Many of the Jews are now enemies of the Good News. But this has been to your benefit, for God has given his gifts to you Gentiles. Yet the Jews are still his chosen people because of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Rom.11.29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Rom.11.29
God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty--never canceled, never rescinded.
Rom.11.29
for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
Rom.11.29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Rom.11.29
For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
Rom.11.30
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom.11.30
There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you.
Rom.11.30
Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,
Rom.11.30
For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,
Rom.11.30
Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the Jews refused his mercy, God was merciful to you instead.
Rom.11.31
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom.11.31
Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in.
Rom.11.31
so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.
Rom.11.31
even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.
Rom.11.31
And now, in the same way, the Jews are the rebels, and God's mercy has come to you. But someday they, too, will share in God's mercy.
Rom.11.32
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Rom.11.32
In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.
Rom.11.32
For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Rom.11.32
For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
Rom.11.32
For God has imprisoned all people in their own disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
Rom.11.33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom.11.33
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.
Rom.11.33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
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!
Rom.11.33
Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!
Rom.11.34
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom.11.34
Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Rom.11.34
"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
Rom.11.34
"For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?"
Rom.11.34
For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor?
Rom.11.35
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom.11.35
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?
Rom.11.35
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
Rom.11.35
"Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?"
Rom.11.35
And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back?
Rom.11.36
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Rom.11.36
Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.
Rom.11.36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Rom.11.36
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Rom.11.36
For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.
