Romans 11:2

Context

In chapters 9–11 of Romans, his letter to the church at Rome, the apostle Paul takes up a single question: if most of Israel (the Jewish people) did not receive Jesus as the Messiah, has God's promise failed? In 11:1 Paul asks, "Hath God cast away his people?" He answers that God has not, pointing out that he himself is an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin. Verse 2 continues this answer, affirming that "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew," and introduces the account of Elijah as evidence. Psalm 94:14 and 1 Samuel 12:22, which speak of the Lord not forsaking his people, are commonly cited as the background of this statement.

The phrase "what the scripture saith of Elias" reads literally in Greek "in Elijah." This is usually explained as a Jewish citation convention of the time, in which a passage of Scripture was referred to by the name of its principal figure. The phrase "maketh intercession to God against Israel" means to appeal to God with an accusation. It refers to the scene in 1 Kings 19, where Elijah complains to God that Israel has killed the prophets and torn down the altars. In verses 3–4 Paul quotes Elijah's complaint and God's reply that he had reserved seven thousand. He then concludes in verse 5 that even now there is "a remnant according to the election of grace."

Interpretation

Interpretations diverge over what "foreknew" (Greek proegnō, "to know beforehand") and "his people" refer to.

• The nation as a whole: Many commentators hold that because the question in verse 1 concerns the nation of Israel as a whole, "his people" in verse 2 likewise refers to Israel as a nation. On this reading, God foreknew and chose this nation and therefore does not cast it away despite its present unbelief. This reading connects with verses 28–29 of the same chapter: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."
• The remnant: Another reading places weight on the argument from Elijah and the remnant that follows. It narrows "his people which he foreknew" to those chosen within Israel and is found among some interpreters in the Reformed tradition.
• The meaning of "foreknew": Calvinist interpreters tend to understand the term not as mere foresight but as God's setting his love on and choosing his people beforehand, reading it in the same sense as in Romans 8:29, where the same verb occurs. Interpreters in the Arminian and Wesleyan traditions explain the term as referring to God's foreknowledge and to corporate election, and they are cautious about reading the verse as grounds for the predetermination of individual destinies.

Debates and Issues

This verse is frequently cited in discussions of the future of Israel. Dispensationalism reads the statement that God has not cast away national Israel as a text supporting a future restoration of Israel distinct from the church. Covenant theology likewise sees the verse as teaching that the promise continues through the remnant. Interpreters differ, however, on how to understand the salvation of "all Israel" in 11:26. Some take it to mean a large-scale future conversion of the Jewish people, while others take it to mean the whole people of God, embracing both Jews and Gentiles.

The statement "God hath not cast away" is also sometimes applied directly as a basis for an individual's assurance of salvation or for the perseverance of the saints. Some point out, however, that such use must take into account that the original context of the verse is an argument concerning national Israel.

Related Passages

• 1 Kings 19:10–18
• Psalm 94:14
• Romans 8:29
• Romans 11:28–29