AISBT ReaderRom 11:1–36
Notes · 17 on Rom 11:1–36
Show drafts
ApprovedShowing approved records only.
Notes · Rom 11:1–36

A Remnant, an Olive Tree, and Mercy on All

17 approved team notes on Rom 11:1–36.
Read Rom 11:1–36

Rom 11:1

exegeticalRom 11:1–10
A remnant chosen by grace, and the hardening of the rest (Romans 11:1–10)
  • SaysGod did not reject his people whom he foreknew; Paul is an Israelite; God reserved seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal (11:1–4).
  • SaysAt the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace, and if by grace, no longer by works (11:5–6).
  • SaysIsrael failed to obtain what it sought; the elect obtained it; the rest were hardened; God gave them a spirit of stupor (11:7–10).
  • UncertainHow divine hardening relates to Israel's unbelief (judicial response, decree, or both) and whether it is final for those hardened; no lean.
✓ Approved BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0
exegeticalRom 11:1–36
Romans 11:1–36: God has not rejected his people
  • SaysGod did not reject his people; a remnant is chosen by grace and the rest were hardened; Israel did not stumble beyond recovery; Gentile believers must not boast and stand by faith; a hardening in part has come to Israel and all Israel will be saved; God's gifts and call are irrevocable; all things are from, through and to him (11:1, 5, 7, 11, 18, 20, 25–26, 29, 36).
  • ImpliesWhoever is saved is saved by God's mercy through faith in Christ (10:9–13; 11:20, 23).
  • UncertainWho all Israel is and when and how it is saved, whether 11:22 threatens believers, and how hardening relates to unbelief and whether it is final are open with no lean; fullness (11:12), life from the dead (11:15) and the root (11:16) carry a lean with the alternative named.
✓ Approved BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0
historicalRom 11:1–5; Rom 11:25–27
Elijah, the remnant, and hopes for Israel’s restoration (11:1–5, 25–27)
  • SaysRom 11:1 denies that God rejected his people; Rom 11:3–4 cites Elijah’s complaint and the reply about seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal (cf. 1 Kgs 19:10, where Elijah says he has been very zealous for the Lord); Rom 11:5 speaks of a remnant chosen by grace at the present time; Rom 11:25–26 says a partial hardening has come to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be saved; Mal 4:5 (MT 3:23) promises that God will send Elijah before the Day of the Lord.
✓ Approved BSB public domain APOT 1 public domain APOT public domain
languageRom 11:1; Rom 11:2; Rom 11:3; Rom 11:4; Rom 11:5; Rom 11:6; Rom 11:7; Rom 11:8; Rom 11:9; Rom 11:10
ἀπώσατο … λεῖμμα … ἐπωρώθησαν (11:1–10)
  • SaysGod did not reject his people, whom he foreknew (11:1–2).
  • SaysAt the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace (11:5).
  • SaysIf the remnant is by grace, it is no longer by works (11:6).
  • SaysIsrael failed to obtain what it sought; the rest were hardened; God gave a spirit of stupor (11:7–8).
  • UncertainHow divine hardening relates to Israel's unbelief, and whether it is final for those hardened, is unsettled; no lean is taken.
✓ Approved SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain Abbott-Smith public domain
languageRom 11:1–4
Rom 11:1–4: Ps 94:14 and Elijah in 1 Kgs 19 (MT and LXX)
  • SaysRom 11:1 μὴ ἀπώσατο ὁ θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ uses the LXX verb of Ps 93:14 / 1 Kgdms 12:22 (οὐκ ἀπώσεται Κύριος τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ) for MT יִטֹּשׁ; 11:2 adds ὃν προέγνω.
  • SaysRom 11:3 shortens 1 Kgs 19:10/14 (MT אֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתֶיךָ הָרָסוּ וְאֶת־נְבִיאֶיךָ הָרְגוּ; Swete 19:10 τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου κατέσκαψαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν): Paul adds Κύριε, puts the prophets first and omits the covenant and the sword.
  • SaysMT וָאִוָּתֵר אֲנִי לְבַדִּי; Swete ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος; Paul κἀγὼ ὑπελείφθην μόνος.
  • SaysMT 1 Kgs 19:18 וְהִשְׁאַרְתִּי is first person (Hiphil); Swete καὶ καταλείψεις ἐν Ἰσραὴλ ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν is second person; Paul's Κατέλιπον ἐμαυτῷ agrees with the Hebrew and keeps the LXX "men."
  • SaysMT לַבַּעַל and Swete πάντα γόνατα ἃ οὐκ ὤκλασαν γόνυ τῷ Βάαλ are masculine; Paul has the feminine τῇ Βάαλ.
  • UncertainThe feminine article may reflect reading αἰσχύνη ("shame") for the name; this is unproven.
✓ Approved OSHB CC BY 4.0 LXX (Swete) CC BY-SA 4.0 SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BDB CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain

Rom 11:8

languageRom 11:8–10
Rom 11:8–10: Deut 29:4 with Isa 29:10, and Ps 69:22–23 (MT and LXX)
  • SaysRom 11:8 joins Deut 29:4 (MT 29:3; MT וְלֹא־נָתַן יְהוָה לָכֶם לֵב לָדַעַת וְעֵינַיִם לִרְאוֹת; Swete καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκεν … καρδίαν εἰδέναι καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα ἀκούειν) and Isa 29:10.
  • SaysPaul's Ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα κατανύξεως, ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα τοῦ μὴ ἀκούειν, ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας turns the negative into God's giving "eyes not to see"; πνεῦμα κατανύξεως is from Swete Isa 29:10 (πεπότικεν ὑμᾶς Κύριος πνεύματι κατανύξεως) for MT רוּחַ תַּרְדֵּמָה.
  • SaysRom 11:9–10 quotes Ps 69:22–23 (Swete 68:23–24 γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα, καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδοσιν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον); Paul (Γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς θήραν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδομα αὐτοῖς) omits "before them," adds "a trap" and moves "retribution" to the end.
  • SaysMT וּמָתְנֵיהֶם תָּמִיד הַמְעַד has the dual "loins"; Swete καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διὰ παντὸς σύνκαμψον and Paul καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διὰ παντὸς σύγκαμψον have the singular "back" and the verb "bend."
  • UncertainHow hardening relates to unbelief is left open; see note.exegetical.Rom.9.6-Rom.9.24.how-election-works.
✓ Approved OSHB CC BY 4.0 LXX (Swete) CC BY-SA 4.0 SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BDB CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain

Rom 11:11

exegeticalRom 11:11–15
Stumbling, jealousy, and life from the dead (Romans 11:11–15)
  • SaysThey did not stumble so as to fall beyond recovery; through their trespass salvation came to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous; Paul hopes to provoke his people to jealousy and save some of them (11:11, 14).
  • UncertainWhether πλήρωμα (11:12) is completion or a full number; lean to completion (set against ἥττημα, a loss made good), alternative a full number alone; both appeal to 11:25, and the lean does not decide all Israel.
  • SaysIf their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, their acceptance will be life from the dead (11:15).
  • UncertainWhether life from the dead (11:15) is the final resurrection or a figurative renewal; lean to resurrection (Paul's ἐκ νεκρῶν elsewhere, usually of resurrection; the exact phrase occurs only here), alternative figurative renewal of Israel.
✓ Approved BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0
languageRom 11:11; Rom 11:12; Rom 11:13; Rom 11:14; Rom 11:15; Rom 11:16
ἔπταισαν … πλήρωμα … πρόσλημψις (11:11–16)
  • SaysThey did not stumble so as to fall beyond recovery (11:11).
  • SaysSalvation came to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous, and Paul aims to save some of them (11:11, 14).
  • Uncertainπλήρωμα (11:12) may mean number or completion; this note leans to completion, on the contrast with ἥττημα, with number alone as the alternative; it does not decide “all Israel” (11:26).
  • Uncertain“Life from the dead” (11:15) may be end-time resurrection or figurative renewal; this note leans to resurrection, on Paul's use of ἐκ νεκρῶν elsewhere, with figurative renewal as the alternative.
  • SaysRejection is set against acceptance (11:15), and holiness of the firstfruit or root extends to the batch or the branches (11:16).
✓ Approved SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain Abbott-Smith public domain

Rom 11:16

exegeticalRom 11:16–24
The olive tree: root, graft, and the warning not to boast (Romans 11:16–24)
  • SaysIf the root is holy, so are the branches; a wild olive shoot was grafted in contrary to nature; Gentile believers must not boast over the branches; the branches were broken off for unbelief and the Gentile believer stands by faith (11:16–18, 20, 24).
  • UncertainWho the root is; lean to the patriarchs (ῥίζα can name ancestors; 11:28), alternatives Christ and Israel's covenant.
  • UncertainWhether the warning of 11:22 is a means of perseverance, a real condition for each believer, or a warning to Gentile Christianity as a body; no lean.
✓ Approved BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0
historicalRom 11:16–24
Cultivated and wild olives, and grafting (11:16–24)
  • SaysRom 11:16–18 says that if the root is holy so are the branches, that some branches were broken off and a wild olive shoot was grafted in to share the nourishment of the olive root, and that the Gentile reader must not boast over the branches; Rom 11:24 says the wild shoot was grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive, and the natural branches will more readily be grafted back.
  • UncertainWhether Rom 11:24 assumes a grafting practice known in Paul’s day or describes a deliberately unnatural one; no lean.
✓ Approved BSB public domain Sanday–Headlam, Romans (ICC) public domain

Rom 11:17

languageRom 11:17; Rom 11:18; Rom 11:19; Rom 11:20; Rom 11:21; Rom 11:22; Rom 11:23; Rom 11:24
ῥίζα … ἐγκεντρίζω … ἀποτομία (11:17–24)
  • SaysBranches were broken off, and a wild olive was grafted in contrary to nature (11:17, 24).
  • SaysGentile believers must not boast over the branches, and they stand by faith (11:18, 20).
  • UncertainThe root may be the patriarchs, Abraham, Christ, or Israel's covenant; this note leans to the patriarchs.
  • UncertainThe warning of being cut off (11:22) may concern individual perseverance, a real condition of remaining, or Gentile Christianity as a body; no lean is taken.
✓ Approved SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain Abbott-Smith public domain Dodson CC0 1.0

Rom 11:25

exegeticalRom 11:25–27
“All Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25–27)
  • SaysPaul calls it a mystery; a hardening in part has come to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved, as the Deliverer comes from Zion (11:25–26).
  • UncertainWho all Israel is, when, and how (καὶ οὕτως as manner, sequence or logic); no lean. Views, each with grounds and the main difficulty urged: future conversion of ethnic Israel through faith in Christ; the church of Jews and Gentiles; the elect Jews through the age; by reference, preterist and two-covenant readings, the latter outside the firm boundary of salvation through faith in Christ.
  • ImpliesWhoever is saved is saved by God's mercy through faith in Christ (10:9–13; 11:20, 23).
  • SaysThe hardening is in part (11:25).
✓ Approved BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0
languageRom 11:25; Rom 11:26; Rom 11:27; Rom 11:28; Rom 11:29; Rom 11:30; Rom 11:31; Rom 11:32; Rom 11:33; Rom 11:34; Rom 11:35; Rom 11:36
μυστήριον … οὕτως … ἀμεταμέλητα (11:25–36)
  • SaysPaul calls the matter a mystery (11:25); its content is not decided in this note.
  • SaysA hardening in part has come to Israel (11:25).
  • ImpliesWhoever is saved is saved by God's mercy through faith in Christ (11:20, 23).
  • SaysRegarding the gospel they are enemies for the Gentiles' sake; regarding election they are loved for the patriarchs; God's gifts and call are irrevocable (11:28–29).
  • UncertainWhether 11:29 secures a future for ethnic Israel or faithfulness to the elect within Israel follows the all-Israel note; no lean is taken.
  • UncertainWhether νῦν is read in 11:31, and any timing drawn from it, is unsettled; no lean is taken.
  • SaysGod has consigned everyone to disobedience so that he may have mercy on everyone (11:32).
  • Implies11:32 is not universalism; everyone means Jews and Gentiles alike.
  • SaysGod's judgments and ways are beyond tracing, and all things are from, through, and to him (11:33, 36).
  • ImpliesThe doxology closes the argument of chapters 9–11.
  • UncertainWhether the doxology also closes chapters 1–11 is not stated; no lean is taken.
✓ Approved SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain Abbott-Smith public domain

Rom 11:26

languageRom 11:26–27
Rom 11:26–27: Isa 59:20–21 with Isa 27:9, and Jer 31:33–34 (MT and LXX)
  • SaysRom 11:26b–27a quotes Isa 59:20–21a: MT וּבָא לְצִיּוֹן גּוֹאֵל וּלְשָׁבֵי פֶשַׁע בְּיַעֲקֹב; Swete καὶ ἥξει ἕνεκεν Σειὼν ὁ ῥυόμενος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ἰακώβ.
  • SaysPaul's Ἥξει ἐκ Σιὼν ὁ ῥυόμενος, ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ἰακώβ follows the LXX ("the deliverer" for גּוֹאֵל; the deliverer turns ungodliness away), but ἐκ Σιὼν matches neither MT "to Zion" nor Swete "for the sake of Zion."
  • UncertainThe source of "from Zion" (another Greek text, a deliberate change, or a blend of Zion texts) is uncertain.
  • Saysκαὶ αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἡ παρʼ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη is Swete Isa 59:21 καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἡ παρ’ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη word for word (MT וַאֲנִי זֹאת בְּרִיתִי אוֹתָם).
  • Saysὅταν ἀφέλωμαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν takes Swete Isa 27:9 ὅταν ἀφέλωμαι αὐτοῦ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν (MT הָסִר חַטָּאתוֹ); MT and Swete have singular "his sin," Paul plural "their sins."
  • UncertainJer 31:34 may also be in view: Swete 38:34 has the plural καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι; the MT nouns לַעֲוֺנָם וּלְחַטָּאתָם are singular.
✓ Approved OSHB CC BY 4.0 LXX (Swete) CC BY-SA 4.0 SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BDB CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain

Rom 11:28

exegeticalRom 11:28–32
Enemies, and yet loved: gifts, calling, and mercy (Romans 11:28–32)
  • SaysRegarding the gospel they are enemies on the Gentiles' account; regarding election they are loved on account of the patriarchs; God's gifts and call are irrevocable (11:28–29).
  • UncertainWhether 11:29 secures a future for ethnic Israel as a people or God's faithfulness to the elect within Israel follows the readings of 11:25–27; no lean.
  • SaysGentiles who disobeyed have received mercy through Israel's disobedience; Israel has disobeyed so that they too may receive mercy through the mercy shown to the Gentiles (11:30–31).
  • UncertainWhether the mercy of 11:31 is marked as present, and its bearing on timing; no lean.
  • SaysGod has consigned everyone to disobedience so that he may have mercy on everyone (11:32).
  • ImpliesEveryone in 11:32 is Jews and Gentiles alike, as in 3:22–23, and mercy is received by faith; this is not universalism.
✓ Approved BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0

Rom 11:33

exegeticalRom 11:33–36
Depth, unsearchable judgments, and glory (Romans 11:33–36)
  • SaysPaul praises the depth of God's riches, wisdom and knowledge, his unsearchable judgments and untraceable ways; no one has known the Lord's mind or first given to him; all things are from, through and to him (11:33–36).
  • ImpliesThe doxology closes the argument of chapters 9–11.
  • UncertainWhether the doxology also closes chapters 1–11; no lean.
✓ Approved BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0

Rom 11:34

languageRom 11:34–35
Rom 11:34–35: Isa 40:13 and Job 41:11 (MT 41:3; MT and LXX)
  • SaysRom 11:34 quotes Isa 40:13 in the LXX form: MT מִי־תִכֵּן אֶת־רוּחַ יְהוָה וְאִישׁ עֲצָתוֹ יוֹדִיעֶנּוּ; Swete τίς ἔγνω νοῦν Κυρίου, καὶ τίς αὐτοῦ σύμβουλος ἐγένετο, with "know" for תִכֵּן and "mind" for רוּחַ.
  • SaysPaul's Τίς γὰρ ἔγνω νοῦν κυρίου; ἢ τίς σύμβουλος αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο; has σύμβουλος αὐτοῦ, the order of A, Q and Γ; B reads αὐτοῦ σύμβουλος.
  • SaysRom 11:35 ἢ τίς προέδωκεν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀνταποδοθήσεται αὐτῷ; is not Swete Job 41:2 (ἢ τίς ἀντιστήσεταί μοι καὶ ὑπομενεῖ); MT Job 41:3 (ENG 41:11) מִי הִקְדִּימַנִי וַאֲשַׁלֵּם.
  • SaysPaul is nearer the Hebrew in sense (prior act הִקְדִּימַנִי; repayment וַאֲשַׁלֵּם), but the MT is first person with no object and Paul has "to him" and a passive.
  • SaysThe same Greek line stands after Isa 40:14 in ℵ* and A; B lacks it.
  • UncertainWhether those copies took it from Romans, Paul knew a Greek text with it, or rendered the Hebrew himself is uncertain.
✓ Approved OSHB CC BY 4.0 LXX (Swete) CC BY-SA 4.0 SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 BDB CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain
↑↓ move · Enter open · Esc close