This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
Chapter Summary
Summary:
”The branches "cut off" seem to mean they are cut off due to unbelief (Romans 11:23). So does this mean you can lose your salvation? No, this is not talking about salvation. How do we know that? Because in verse 23, the branches that are cut off can be grafted in again. If this passage was referencing/warning individuals that rejected Jesus 2000 years ago and they were "cut off" there is no way for them to believe as they are dead and their fates sealed (Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:19-31). It would be impossible to be grated in again. Therefore, in context all the way back to chapter 9 it seems Paul is speaking about two people groups. Verse 25 shows God is focusing on the Gentiles now as people group. God had much goodness to Israel (verse 22), yet they treated Him like trash, He eventually "cut them off" (verse 21) and turned focus to the Gentiles.”
1I 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.
2God 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,
3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4But 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.
5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
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.
9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11I 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.
12Now 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?
13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Who is to fear, we as individual believers? The book of Romans references people group several times. As seen below in verse 22 this is not referencing individuals, Paul is speaking of people groups just like Paul did in Romans 9. The Gentiles as a people group are to fear, walk humbly with God and not boast they have been grafted in. For if the Gentiles deny Jesus too like the Jews did they also could be broken off as a people group.
21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
This is key, why did He not spare the natural branches? These natural branches were self-righteous, works based, salvationists as Romans 10:3 says “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” and Romans 9:32 “32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;”
Their problem is that they never believed like their father Abraham did and they missed their Messiah. It has nothing to do with them believing and then losing faith, they never sought God on His terms by faith. Verse 23 below clarifies their state and that it is possible to get out of it “ if they abide not still in unbelief”. It was so bad they didn’t even believe Moses, let alone Jesus as John 5:47 says “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
So in conclusion one must “take heed”to not be unbelieving. To reject Jesus like the majority of Israel did will result in being broken off just like Jesus said in John 15. To abide (1 John 4:15) or not be broken off is simply the person who believes the gospel. The “take heed” is a warning to all non-believing men, this is not directed at believers or Christians. The Israelites weren’t believers and this is what the whole last few chapters of Romans is speaking about. Paul is so sad for them (Romans 9:2).
22Behold 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.
The most vital thing that most be noted and understood to interpret this verse and surrounding verses is who does “them”describein this verse? The verse 7 earlier in the chapter explains this is Israel, an entire people group. As we read further down from verses 11-13 we see the “thee” is the Gentile people group. Individual souls are not being discussed in this chapter.
Through the years of capitvity and even modern day Jews during the holocoust have experienced“the severity of God”for their rejection of Jesus in unbelief as verse 20 states.
The phrase “if thou continue in his goodness”does not refer to an individual person and their salvation. This gets misunderstood a lot and some teach that it refers to a individual person’s salvation, that you must continue to be saved. But in keeping with the context of this chapter (chapters 9 and 10 also), we can see this is all about God’s salvation plan for both the Jews and Gentiles as people groups, this has nothing to do with individuals. An individual is not being referenced here contextually. Even today there are Messianic Jews that received salvation through belief even though there “were broken off” as a people group. This is a warning to the Gentile’s as a people group that they not be haughty now or got will do what He has done to the Jews and take His focus off of them. God was so good to the Israelites yet they treated Him horribly. Eventually He cut them off but only for a time being as He still loves them.
Does “cut off”mean damned to hell? This can cause uncertainty and fear, can someone lose their salvation? No, this is not talking about salvation. How do we know that? Because in verse 23 below, the branches that are cut off can be grafted in again. If this references individuals that rejected Jesus 2000 years ago there is no way for them to believe as they are dead and their fates sealed.
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Although not speaking of individuals, we know God is willling that all come to repentence (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4). The choice for this being grated in our cut off is all dependent on man and not God. God wants all of Israel (Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34) and as verse 26 says below they will be saved.
If this chapter 11 was in any way referencing individuals who could lose their salvation this would make no sense as this verse here says “God is able to graft them in again”. How could an Israelite from 2000 years ago with their fate sealed in death be grated in again? This is not possible (Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:19-31). Therefore we can clearly see Paul is speaking of entire groups of Israel vs Gentiles. Which starts back in chapter 9.
24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
When we think of branches being cut off, we think of John 15:6 where they eventually get burned. This sounds exactly like a person being cast into hell. But these “natural branches” were cut off in verse 21 above “if God spared not the natural branches” therefore, we understand these are not individuals who reject Jesus and are damned to hell forever but rather again they are people groups. In the future Israel, who was once cut off, will be grafted into their own tree yet again.
25For 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.
And here we see “blindness in part” is the cutting off that this entire chapter speaks about. The Israelite's as individuals can still get saved but the focus is on the Gentiles just like in the Old Testament pagan’s like Rahab could receive salvation yet the focus was on the Israelite’s and God’s plan through and for them bringing about His Son.
26And 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:
27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
In context this is speaking of the calling and promsies to the Israelites but it also applicable to the gifts of the Spirit and free gift of salvation itself (Romans 5:15).
The word “repentance”under Strong’s definitions is stated to be “a presumed derivative of G3338; irrevocable:—without repentance, not to be repented of”. Other translations just say “irrevocable” in the English here.
Merriam Website defines irrevocable as “not possible to revoke : unalterable”
We can conclude that salvation, a gift of God is a permanent gift that will not get revoked for any reason. For if it could be, how would it ever be defined as a free gift per Romans 5:15?
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
11
Romans 11 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
Summary:
”The branches "cut off" seem to mean they are cut off due to unbelief (Romans 11:23). So does this mean you can lose your salvation? No, this is not talking about salvation. How do we know that? Because in verse 23, the branches that are cut off can be grafted in again. If this passage was referencing/warning individuals that rejected Jesus 2000 years ago and they were "cut off" there is no way for them to believe as they are dead and their fates sealed (Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:19-31). It would be impossible to be grated in again. Therefore, in context all the way back to chapter 9 it seems Paul is speaking about two people groups. Verse 25 shows God is focusing on the Gentiles now as people group. God had much goodness to Israel (verse 22), yet they treated Him like trash, He eventually "cut them off" (verse 21) and turned focus to the Gentiles.”
1I 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.
2God 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,
3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4But 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.
5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
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.
9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11I 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.
12Now 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?
13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Who is to fear, we as individual believers? The book of Romans references people group several times. As seen below in verse 22 this is not referencing individuals, Paul is speaking of people groups just like Paul did in Romans 9. The Gentiles as a people group are to fear, walk humbly with God and not boast they have been grafted in. For if the Gentiles deny Jesus too like the Jews did they also could be broken off as a people group.
21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
This is key, why did He not spare the natural branches? These natural branches were self-righteous, works based, salvationists as Romans 10:3 says “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” and Romans 9:32 “32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;”
Their problem is that they never believed like their father Abraham did and they missed their Messiah. It has nothing to do with them believing and then losing faith, they never sought God on His terms by faith. Verse 23 below clarifies their state and that it is possible to get out of it “ if they abide not still in unbelief”. It was so bad they didn’t even believe Moses, let alone Jesus as John 5:47 says “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
So in conclusion one must “take heed” to not be unbelieving. To reject Jesus like the majority of Israel did will result in being broken off just like Jesus said in John 15. To abide (1 John 4:15) or not be broken off is simply the person who believes the gospel. The “take heed” is a warning to all non-believing men, this is not directed at believers or Christians. The Israelites weren’t believers and this is what the whole last few chapters of Romans is speaking about. Paul is so sad for them (Romans 9:2).
22Behold 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.
The most vital thing that most be noted and understood to interpret this verse and surrounding verses is who does “them” describe in this verse? The verse 7 earlier in the chapter explains this is Israel, an entire people group. As we read further down from verses 11-13 we see the “thee” is the Gentile people group. Individual souls are not being discussed in this chapter.
Through the years of capitvity and even modern day Jews during the holocoust have experienced “the severity of God” for their rejection of Jesus in unbelief as verse 20 states.
The phrase “if thou continue in his goodness” does not refer to an individual person and their salvation. This gets misunderstood a lot and some teach that it refers to a individual person’s salvation, that you must continue to be saved. But in keeping with the context of this chapter (chapters 9 and 10 also), we can see this is all about God’s salvation plan for both the Jews and Gentiles as people groups, this has nothing to do with individuals. An individual is not being referenced here contextually. Even today there are Messianic Jews that received salvation through belief even though there “were broken off” as a people group. This is a warning to the Gentile’s as a people group that they not be haughty now or got will do what He has done to the Jews and take His focus off of them. God was so good to the Israelites yet they treated Him horribly. Eventually He cut them off but only for a time being as He still loves them.
Does “cut off” mean damned to hell? This can cause uncertainty and fear, can someone lose their salvation? No, this is not talking about salvation. How do we know that? Because in verse 23 below, the branches that are cut off can be grafted in again. If this references individuals that rejected Jesus 2000 years ago there is no way for them to believe as they are dead and their fates sealed.
23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Although not speaking of individuals, we know God is willling that all come to repentence (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4). The choice for this being grated in our cut off is all dependent on man and not God. God wants all of Israel (Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34) and as verse 26 says below they will be saved.
If this chapter 11 was in any way referencing individuals who could lose their salvation this would make no sense as this verse here says “God is able to graft them in again”. How could an Israelite from 2000 years ago with their fate sealed in death be grated in again? This is not possible (Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:19-31). Therefore we can clearly see Paul is speaking of entire groups of Israel vs Gentiles. Which starts back in chapter 9.
24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
When we think of branches being cut off, we think of John 15:6 where they eventually get burned. This sounds exactly like a person being cast into hell. But these “natural branches” were cut off in verse 21 above “if God spared not the natural branches” therefore, we understand these are not individuals who reject Jesus and are damned to hell forever but rather again they are people groups. In the future Israel, who was once cut off, will be grafted into their own tree yet again.
25For 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.
And here we see “blindness in part” is the cutting off that this entire chapter speaks about. The Israelite's as individuals can still get saved but the focus is on the Gentiles just like in the Old Testament pagan’s like Rahab could receive salvation yet the focus was on the Israelite’s and God’s plan through and for them bringing about His Son.
26And 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:
27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
In context this is speaking of the calling and promsies to the Israelites but it also applicable to the gifts of the Spirit and free gift of salvation itself (Romans 5:15).
The word “repentance” under Strong’s definitions is stated to be “a presumed derivative of G3338; irrevocable:—without repentance, not to be repented of”. Other translations just say “irrevocable” in the English here.
Merriam Website defines irrevocable as “not possible to revoke : unalterable”
We can conclude that salvation, a gift of God is a permanent gift that will not get revoked for any reason. For if it could be, how would it ever be defined as a free gift per Romans 5:15?
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.