Question 1

What does Paul mean by "Hath God cast away his people" in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Paul is answering a fear that God has completely rejected Israel because many Jews have not believed in Jesus. He says strongly that this is not the case. He points to himself as an Israelite who has received mercy, and to the idea that God has always kept a faithful remnant. God has not abandoned the people He foreknew. Some are hardened because of unbelief, but there is still a chosen group among Israel, and God’s larger plan for them is not over.

Question 2

What is the "remnant according to the election of grace"?

Accepted Answer

The remnant is the smaller group of Jews who truly trust in God’s promise in Christ, while many others remain in unbelief. Paul says this remnant exists because of God’s gracious choice, not because they were better or worked harder. When he says “election of grace,” he means their place in God’s people rests on grace alone. If it were based on works, it would stop being grace. This helps us see salvation as a gift, not something earned or owed.

Question 3

Why does Paul say some in Israel were blinded or given a spirit of slumber?

Accepted Answer

Paul explains that many in Israel did not obtain what they were seeking because they rejected God’s way of righteousness in Christ. Their blindness is both a judgment and the result of their own stubbornness. He quotes Scripture about God giving them a “spirit of slumber,” with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. This hardening is not the whole story, though. It has a purpose in God’s plan, since their fall opened the door for the message to spread widely to the Gentiles.

Question 4

What is the meaning of the olive tree and grafted branches in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The olive tree picture shows God’s people as one tree with a holy root. Some natural branches, unbelieving Jews, were broken off because of unbelief. Wild branches, Gentile believers, were grafted in and now share the root and richness of God’s promises. Paul warns Gentile believers not to be proud, since they do not support the root, but the root supports them. If God did not spare the natural branches when they did not believe, He will not spare proud, unbelieving Gentiles either.

Question 5

What does "all Israel shall be saved" mean here?

Accepted Answer

This line has been read in more than one way. Many understand it as pointing to a future time when a large number of Israelites will turn to Christ as Deliverer, after the full number of Gentiles has come in. Others see it as referring to the total of God’s true people from Israel across time. What is clear is that Paul expects a future mercy toward Israel, tied to God’s covenant and His promise to take away their sins, rooted in His faithfulness to the fathers.

Question 6

How should Gentile believers respond to Israel’s stumbling and their own inclusion?

Accepted Answer

Gentile believers should respond with humility, not pride. Paul warns against boasting over the broken-off branches. They stand by faith, not by their own worth. Seeing Israel’s stumbling should make them fear presumption, remember God’s severity toward unbelief, and cling to His goodness. At the same time, they should hope and pray for Jewish people to be grafted in again, knowing God is able to do this. Their mercy in Christ is meant to stir Israel to seek that same mercy.

Question 7

What does "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" teach about God?

Accepted Answer

This line shows that God does not change His mind or take back His covenant purposes. His gifts and calling toward Israel, rooted in His promises to the fathers, are not canceled by their present unbelief. While many are now enemies regarding the gospel, they are still loved in connection with those promises. This gives strong comfort about God’s character: when He truly calls and gives, He is steady. His faithfulness is stronger than human failure and works out through history.

Question 8

Why does Paul end this passage with praise about God’s wisdom and ways?

Accepted Answer

After tracing God’s plan with Jews and Gentiles, Paul sees how deep and beyond us God’s wisdom and knowledge are. He realizes no one has advised God or put Him in their debt. Everything is from Him, through Him, and to Him. So he breaks into praise. This doxology reminds us that we will never fully map out God’s purposes, but we can trust Him. When we feel confused by His ways, this ending calls us to worship Him as wise, generous, and worthy of glory forever.

Question 9

How does this passage apply to my view of God’s grace and my own faith?

Accepted Answer

This passage teaches that your place in God’s family rests on grace, not on your background, effort, or goodness. Like the grafted branches, you stand by faith. That should make you humble, thankful, and careful not to look down on others. It also encourages you to trust God’s faithfulness when things look bleak in the wider church. He keeps a remnant and works out a wise plan that brings mercy to both Jews and Gentiles. Your role is to continue in His goodness and hold fast to Christ.

Romans 11:1

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.

A Remnant Chosen by Grace

The Ingrafting of the Gentiles

All Israel Will Be Saved

A Hymn of Praise

A Remnant Chosen by Grace

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Romans 11:1

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.

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A Remnant Chosen by Grace

The Ingrafting of the Gentiles

All Israel Will Be Saved

A Hymn of Praise

A Remnant Chosen by Grace

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