The Remnant of Israel

111 I say then , God has not rejected His people , has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite , a descendant of Abraham , of the tribe of Benjamin . 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew . Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah , how he pleads with God against Israel ? 3 "Lord , THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS , THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS , AND I ALONE AM LEFT , AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE ." 4 But what is the divine response to him? " I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL ." 5 In the same way then , there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice . 6 But if it is by grace , it is no longer on the basis of works , otherwise grace is no longer grace . 7 What then ? What Israel is seeking , it has not obtained , but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened ; 8 just as it is written , " GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR , EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY ." 9 And David says , " LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP , AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM. 10 " LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER e ."

The Salvation of the Gentiles

11 I say then , they did not stumble so as to fall , did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles , to make them jealous . 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles , how much more will their fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles . Inasmuch e then as I am an apostle of Gentiles , I magnify my ministry , 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world , what will their acceptance be but life from the dead ? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy , the lump is also ; and if the root is holy , the branches are too . 17 But if some of the branches were broken off , and you, being a wild olive , were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree , 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches ; but if you are arrogant , remember that it is not you who supports the root , but the root supports you. 19 You will say then , "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." 20 Quite right , they were broken off for their unbelief , but you stand by your faith . Do not be conceited e , but fear ; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches , He will not spare you, either . 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God ; to those who fell , severity , but to you, God's kindness , if you continue in His kindness ; otherwise you also will be cut off . 23 And they also , if they do not continue in their unbelief , will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again . 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree , and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree , how much more will these who are the natural e branches be grafted into their own olive tree ?

The Restoration of Israel

25 For I do not want you, brethren , to be uninformed of this mystery -so e that you will not be wise in your own estimation -that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved ; just as it is written , " THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION , HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB ." 27 " THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS ." 28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake , but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers ; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable . 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God , but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience , 31 so these also now have been disobedient , that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy . 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all .

33 Oh , the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways ! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE Lord , OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR ? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things . To Him be the glory forever . Amen .