Romans 11:1-6
(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.
(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,
(3) Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
(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.
(5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
(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.
Paul’s transition from chapter 10 is seen in the repetition of his rhetorical clause “I ask” (10:18-19). I ask then is literally, “Therefore, I say.” The apostle’s question is, Did God reject His people? In Greek the question is asked to elicit a negative reply: “God did not reject His people, did He?” This is reinforced by Paul’s characteristic negative ejaculation, By no means! (me genoito; cf. comments on 3:4) Then Paul presented himself as his first proof. He had responded by faith to Jesus Christ and had received God’s provided righteousness, and yet he was an Israelite (cf. Phil. 3:5) and of the tribe of Benjamin. Though small, Benjamin was a significant tribe (Saul, Israel’s first king, was from Benjamin). If God could save Paul (Acts 9; 22; 26), He certainly could save other Jews (1 Tim. 1:15-16). Then he positively declared, God did not reject His people (quoted from 1 Sam. 12:22; Ps. 94:14), whom He foreknew (proegno, “had a meaningful relationship with”; cf. Amos 3:2; and cf. comments on Rom. 8:29). God had chosen Israel as His covenant people from eternity past and entered into a relationship with them that will never be destroyed (cf. Jer. 31:37).
Paul’s second proof that God has not rejected His people was taken from Israel’s history during Elijah’s ministry. The prophet was deeply depressed, having fled for his life from Jezebel. Paul said, Elijah . . . appealed to (entynchanei, “petitioned”; trans. “intercedes” in Rom. 8:27 and “is . . . interceding” in 8:34) God against Israel. Paul then quoted part of the prophet’s complaint (1 Kings 19:10, 14), reversing the order of the details quoted and concluding with Elijah’s lament, I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me. Elijah considered himself the only believing person left in Israel. Paul asked, And what was God’s answer (lit., “the divine response”) to him? God was not limited to one fearful, depressed prophet; He had reserved for Himself a godly remnant in Israel that numbered 7,000 (1 Kings 19:18). The preservation of the faithful remnant was a work of God.
After the historical illustration Paul drew a conclusion for his day: So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace (lit., “a remnant according to the election of grace has come to be”). Paul was only one of many in his generation elected to faith from the people of Israel. In every generation of the church “a remnant chosen by grace” has been called from among the Jews. Paul added that this choice is totally by God’s grace (cf. Eph. 2:8-9) and he emphasized the antithesis between grace and works (cf. Rom. 4:4-5; 9:30-32).
Excerpt from:
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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