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. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (Romans 11:1-7 KJV)
God Has Not Rejected Israel
The apostle begins by addressing an objection against God’s justice in rejecting the Jewish nation (Romans 11:1): “Has God cast away His people?” In other words, has the rejection of Israel been total and final? Are all of them abandoned to wrath and ruin? Has God completely withdrawn His covenant favor? Paul firmly rejects such a thought, insisting that even in this seeming severity, God’s mercy is clearly displayed.
Though many Jews were rejected, not all were. Some among them obtained righteousness and life by faith in Christ (Romans 11:1-7). These were those whom God “foreknew” (Romans 11:2)—that is, those He loved and chose before the world began. They are called “the elect,” distinguished from others by God’s sovereign grace.
Paul first points to himself as proof: “For I also am an Israelite.” If all Jews were rejected, Paul himself would have no hope. Yet he, a descendant of Abraham and of the tribe of Benjamin, was chosen by God (Acts 9:15).
He also recalls Elijah’s time to show that God’s favor has always rested on a faithful remnant (1 Kings 19:14). Elijah mistakenly thought he was the only servant of God left, saying, “They have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I alone am left.” This shows how dim the face of true religion can appear in times of national apostasy. Elijah’s complaint against Israel was, in effect, an intercession that they might be cut off for their sins. It is a dreadful thing when God’s prophets pray against a people, for He will defend His servants’ cause.
But God corrected Elijah’s mistaken view (Romans 11:4): “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” This teaches that things are often far better in the church than good people suppose, that even in times of corruption, God keeps a faithful remnant for Himself. It is His sovereign grace that makes them steadfast; if left to themselves, they would have fallen like the rest. Compared to the whole nation, this remnant was small—“grape gleanings after the harvest”—yet enough to bear witness to the truth. True faith shows itself by resisting the prevailing sins of the age. Those who stand firm for “the present truth” (2 Peter 1:12) when others fall are the ones God calls His witnesses.
So it is now, Paul says (Romans 11:5-7). Just as there was a remnant in Elijah’s day, so there is one under the gospel—a “remnant chosen by grace.” This difference arises solely from God’s free favor, not from any human merit (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 1:5). If election were based on works, it would cease to be grace. The chosen remnant obtained the righteousness Israel sought in vain (Romans 9:31), for in them God’s promise was fulfilled.
But “the rest were hardened” (Romans 11:7). While some believed through grace, others were left in unbelief. The same gospel that brings life to some becomes a stumbling block to others (2 Corinthians 2:16). Their blindness and hardness of heart were both their sin and their punishment. They shut their eyes to the truth, and in judgment God sealed them in darkness. Isaiah foretold this (Isaiah 6:9; 29:10): “God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear.” They saw Christ but would not believe; they heard His word but did not receive it. Such spiritual blindness is the worst of judgments—silent but dreadful. And it continues, Paul says, “to this very day,” for their unbelief persisted through generations, fulfilling their own fearful cry: “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25).