By Dan Maines

Romans 11 Paraphrased
Introduction
† God didn't abandon Israel, He preserved a remnant while bringing the nations in through Christ
† This chapter shows the fulfillment of covenant transition in that generation, not something future (Luke 21:22)
Romans 11:1
I ask then, God hasn't rejected His people, has He? Absolutely not. I'm an Israelite myself, from Abraham's line, from the tribe of Benjamin
† Paul proves God didn't cast off Israel completely, he himself stands as evidence (1 Kings 19:18)
† This is about a remnant, not total national acceptance
Romans 11:2
God hasn't rejected the people He chose beforehand. Don't you know what Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel
† Foreknew speaks of covenant relationship, not simple awareness (Amos 3:2)
† Elijah's situation mirrors Paul's day, a small faithful group remained
Romans 11:3
Lord, they've killed Your prophets, torn down Your altars, and I'm the only one left, and they're trying to kill me
† Elijah thought he stood alone, but God had already preserved others
† Same pattern in the first century, truth wasn't with the majority
Romans 11:4
But what was God's reply? I've kept for Myself seven thousand men who haven't bowed to Baal
† God always keeps a remnant within Israel
† This continues into Paul's present time
Romans 11:5
In the same way, at this present time there is also a remnant chosen by grace
† Present time proves fulfillment in their generation
† Grace replaced law as the basis for belonging
Romans 11:6
But if it's by grace, it can't be based on works, otherwise grace wouldn't be grace
† Law and grace cannot operate together for justification
† The old covenant system was ending
Romans 11:7
What then? Israel didn't obtain what it was seeking, but those chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened
† National Israel failed, the elect remnant received it
† Hardening fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 6:9-10)
Romans 11:8
Just as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that couldn't see and ears that couldn't hear, to this very day
† This was judicial blindness on unbelieving Israel
† It explains their rejection of Christ
Romans 11:9
And David says, let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a repayment to them
† Their blessings became their downfall
† The law became a stumbling block
Romans 11:10
Let their eyes be darkened so they can't see, and bend their backs continually
† This describes covenant judgment
† Fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem
Romans 11:11
I say then, they didn't stumble so as to fall completely, did they? Absolutely not. Through their failure salvation has come to the nations, to provoke them to jealousy
† Their fall opened the door to the nations
† This was part of God's plan
Romans 11:12
Now if their failure means riches for the world and their loss means riches for the nations, how much more will their fullness mean
† Their fall produced blessing outward
† Fullness refers to completion of the plan in that generation
Romans 11:13
But I'm speaking to you from the nations. Since I'm an apostle to the nations, I honor my ministry
† Paul emphasizes Gentile inclusion
† The shift from Israel alone to all in Christ is clear
Romans 11:14
If somehow I might stir my fellow Jews to jealousy and save some of them
† Even during judgment, some Jews would believe
† The remnant continues
Romans 11:15
For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead
† Rejection opened reconciliation outward
† Life from the dead speaks of covenant change
Romans 11:16
If the first part of the dough is holy, the whole batch is, and if the root is holy, so are the branches
† The patriarchs are the root
† Covenant identity flows from them
Romans 11:17
But if some branches were broken off, and you, though a wild olive, were grafted in among them and share in the rich root
† Unbelieving Jews were removed
† Gentiles were brought into the same covenant tree
Romans 11:18
Don't be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember you don't support the root, the root supports you
† Gentiles are warned against pride
† The foundation remains Israel's promises fulfilled in Christ
Romans 11:19
You'll say then, branches were broken off so I could be grafted in
† True, but not for boasting
† This was God's plan unfolding
Romans 11:20
Correct, they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Don't be proud, but be in awe
† Faith determines standing, not ethnicity
† Warning against falling the same way
Romans 11:21
For if God didn't spare the natural branches, He won't spare you either
† Judgment is impartial
† No one stands apart from faith
Romans 11:22
See both the kindness and severity of God, severity toward those who fell, kindness toward you if you continue in it
† Both mercy and judgment are present
† Continuance matters
Romans 11:23
And they also, if they don't remain in unbelief, will be grafted back in, because God is able to do it
† Restoration was available
† Many Jews did come to faith
Romans 11:24
For if you were cut from a wild tree and grafted into a cultivated one, how much more will the natural branches be grafted back into their own tree
† Jews had rightful access if they believed
† The door was open during that time
Romans 11:25
I don't want you to be unaware, so you won't think too highly of yourselves, a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the nations comes in
† Partial means not total rejection
† Fullness occurred in that generation
Romans 11:26
And in this way all Israel will be saved, just as it is written, the Deliverer will come from Zion and remove ungodliness from Jacob
† All Israel refers to the completed remnant
† Fulfilled in Christ's finished work
Romans 11:27
This is My covenant with them when I take away their sins
† This is the new covenant promise fulfilled
† Sin removal completed through Christ
Romans 11:28
From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from God's choice they are loved because of the fathers
† They opposed the gospel but were tied to the promises
† God's plan remained consistent
Romans 11:29
For God's gifts and calling cannot be taken back
† God's promises are fulfilled, not canceled
† Fulfillment happened in Christ
Romans 11:30
Just as you were once disobedient but now have received mercy because of their disobedience
† The nations benefited from Israel's fall
† Mercy expanded outward
Romans 11:31
So they also have now been disobedient so that through the mercy shown to you they may also now receive mercy
† Both groups come into mercy
† One body is formed
Romans 11:32
For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all
† All were under sin
† Mercy is extended through Christ
Romans 11:33
Oh the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge, how unsearchable His judgments and beyond tracing His ways
† Paul praises God's plan
† Fulfillment reveals His wisdom
Romans 11:34
Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor
† No one directs God
† His plan stands perfect
Romans 11:35
Or who has given to Him first so it must be repaid
† Salvation is not earned
† It is given by grace
Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen
† God is the source and goal of all things
† Redemption is complete in Him
Historical References
† Josephus records the fall of Jerusalem confirming covenant judgment
† Irenaeus speaks of fulfillment of the law in Christ
† Eusebius documents the destruction of Jerusalem as a turning point
† Clement of Alexandria identifies true Israel as those in Christ
How It Applies To Us Today
† We're not under the old covenant, it's fulfilled and gone (Hebrews 8:13)
† Our identity is in Christ, not ethnicity (Galatians 3:28-29)
† We stand by grace, not works
† All promises of God are fulfilled in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20)
† We're living in completed redemption, not waiting for it
Q & A Appendix
Q What does all Israel will be saved mean
A It refers to the full remnant of believing Israel brought into Christ (Romans 9:6-8)
Q Has God rejected Israel
A No, He preserved a remnant and fulfilled His promises in Christ (Romans 11:1-5)
Q What is the olive tree
A It is the covenant people of God including Jews and Gentiles in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16)
Q What is the fullness of the nations
A It is the completion of Gentile inclusion in that generation (Luke 21:32)
Q Are we still waiting for prophecy
A No, all was fulfilled in their generation (Matthew 24:34)
† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.
Source Index
† Romans 11
† Josephus, Wars of the Jews
† Irenaeus, Against Heresies
† Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
† Clement of Alexandria, Stromata