Romans 11:7 - What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
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What does "Romans 11:7" mean?
Romans 11:7 is a complex verse in a larger passage (Romans 9-11) where Paul is wrestling with the question of why so many Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Let's break it down:
"What then?" This is a rhetorical question, summarizing the point Paul is making about the apparent failure of Israel to embrace the gospel.
"That which Israel seeks for..." "That" refers to righteousness, justification, or salvation. Paul argues that the nation of Israel, as a whole, was striving for righteousness, but they were trying to achieve it through adherence to the law rather than through faith in Jesus Christ. He had elaborated on this in previous chapters.
"...that he didn't obtain..." Israel, generally speaking, did not achieve the righteousness they sought. They failed to find acceptance with God through their own efforts.
"...but the chosen ones obtained it..." "The chosen ones" (also translated as "the elect") are a portion of the Jewish people who did believe in Jesus. They are the remnant who accepted God's grace through faith. This highlights that God hasn't abandoned His people entirely. There were still Jewish believers (including Paul himself).
"...and the rest were hardened." "Hardened" (sometimes translated as "blinded") refers to the remaining Jews who did not believe. Paul uses this strong language to describe their spiritual condition. This hardening is not presented as random but as a consequence of their choice to reject Jesus and cling to the law as the means of justification. This hardening is a judicial act of God, allowing their unbelief to solidify as a result of their own rejection of the Gospel.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Israel, as a nation, was seeking righteousness, but they didn't find it because they were trying to earn it through their own works. However, a select group (the chosen ones, or the elect) within Israel did find it through faith in Jesus. The rest of the nation became hardened in their unbelief.
Key Points and Interpretations:
Election and Free Will: The concept of "the chosen ones" raises the theological question of election. Does God choose who will believe, or do people freely choose to believe? Different theological traditions offer various interpretations of this tension.
Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Responsibility: Paul is grappling with the interplay between God's sovereign plan and human responsibility. He acknowledges that God has a plan for Israel, but he also emphasizes that individuals are responsible for their response to the gospel.
Temporary Hardening: Later in Romans 11, Paul suggests that this hardening is not permanent. He expresses hope for the future salvation of Israel. This is often interpreted as a future national turning to Christ.
Warning to Gentile Believers: Paul uses the example of Israel's fall to warn Gentile believers against pride and complacency. If God could discipline his own people, he could also discipline Gentile believers who become arrogant or disobedient.
Context is Crucial: Understanding this verse requires understanding the broader context of Romans 9-11, where Paul explores God's faithfulness to his promises to Israel, even in the face of their rejection of Jesus.
Different Theological Perspectives:
Different Christian denominations and theological viewpoints interpret this verse in varying ways, particularly regarding the concepts of election, free will, and the future of Israel.
Calvinism: Emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation. God chooses who will be saved, and those whom he chooses will inevitably believe.
Arminianism: Emphasizes human free will. People have the ability to choose to accept or reject God's offer of salvation.
Dispensationalism: Often interprets Romans 11 as a prophecy of a future national conversion of Israel.
Covenant Theology: Focuses on the continuity of God's covenant with his people, seeing the church as the new Israel.
In conclusion, Romans 11:7 is a significant verse that speaks to the mystery of God's plan for Israel and the complexities of salvation. It highlights the failure of many Jews to embrace Jesus as the Messiah, while affirming the existence of a believing remnant and hinting at a future restoration for Israel. Understanding the context and different theological perspectives is important for interpreting this challenging passage.
Romans 11:7 - What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
What does "Romans 11:7" mean?
Romans 11:7 is a complex verse in a larger passage (Romans 9-11) where Paul is wrestling with the question of why so many Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Let's break it down:
"What then?" This is a rhetorical question, summarizing the point Paul is making about the apparent failure of Israel to embrace the gospel.
"That which Israel seeks for..." "That" refers to righteousness, justification, or salvation. Paul argues that the nation of Israel, as a whole, was striving for righteousness, but they were trying to achieve it through adherence to the law rather than through faith in Jesus Christ. He had elaborated on this in previous chapters.
"...that he didn't obtain..." Israel, generally speaking, did not achieve the righteousness they sought. They failed to find acceptance with God through their own efforts.
"...but the chosen ones obtained it..." "The chosen ones" (also translated as "the elect") are a portion of the Jewish people who did believe in Jesus. They are the remnant who accepted God's grace through faith. This highlights that God hasn't abandoned His people entirely. There were still Jewish believers (including Paul himself).
"...and the rest were hardened." "Hardened" (sometimes translated as "blinded") refers to the remaining Jews who did not believe. Paul uses this strong language to describe their spiritual condition. This hardening is not presented as random but as a consequence of their choice to reject Jesus and cling to the law as the means of justification. This hardening is a judicial act of God, allowing their unbelief to solidify as a result of their own rejection of the Gospel.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Israel, as a nation, was seeking righteousness, but they didn't find it because they were trying to earn it through their own works. However, a select group (the chosen ones, or the elect) within Israel did find it through faith in Jesus. The rest of the nation became hardened in their unbelief.
Key Points and Interpretations:
Election and Free Will: The concept of "the chosen ones" raises the theological question of election. Does God choose who will believe, or do people freely choose to believe? Different theological traditions offer various interpretations of this tension.
Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Responsibility: Paul is grappling with the interplay between God's sovereign plan and human responsibility. He acknowledges that God has a plan for Israel, but he also emphasizes that individuals are responsible for their response to the gospel.
Temporary Hardening: Later in Romans 11, Paul suggests that this hardening is not permanent. He expresses hope for the future salvation of Israel. This is often interpreted as a future national turning to Christ.
Warning to Gentile Believers: Paul uses the example of Israel's fall to warn Gentile believers against pride and complacency. If God could discipline his own people, he could also discipline Gentile believers who become arrogant or disobedient.
Context is Crucial: Understanding this verse requires understanding the broader context of Romans 9-11, where Paul explores God's faithfulness to his promises to Israel, even in the face of their rejection of Jesus.
Different Theological Perspectives:
Different Christian denominations and theological viewpoints interpret this verse in varying ways, particularly regarding the concepts of election, free will, and the future of Israel.
Calvinism: Emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation. God chooses who will be saved, and those whom he chooses will inevitably believe.
Arminianism: Emphasizes human free will. People have the ability to choose to accept or reject God's offer of salvation.
Dispensationalism: Often interprets Romans 11 as a prophecy of a future national conversion of Israel.
Covenant Theology: Focuses on the continuity of God's covenant with his people, seeing the church as the new Israel.
In conclusion, Romans 11:7 is a significant verse that speaks to the mystery of God's plan for Israel and the complexities of salvation. It highlights the failure of many Jews to embrace Jesus as the Messiah, while affirming the existence of a believing remnant and hinting at a future restoration for Israel. Understanding the context and different theological perspectives is important for interpreting this challenging passage.