Romans Chapter 11 — The Remnant and the Olive Tree
Paul explains that God has not rejected Israel, using the analogy of an olive tree to show how Gentiles are grafted in and how Israel remains part of God's plan.
1I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2God didn’t reject his people, whom he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel:
3“Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have broken down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life.”✡1 Kings 19:10,14
4But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”✡1 Kings 19:18
5Even so too at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
8According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.” ✡Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10
9David says,
10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see.
11I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
12Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
13For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry,
14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.
15For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?
16If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
17But 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 root and of the richness of the olive tree,
18don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.
19You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.”
20True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;
21for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
22See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
23They also, if they don’t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25For I don’t desire you to be ignorant, brothers,*The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” of this mystery, so that you won’t be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,
26and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written,
27This is my covenant with them,
28Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.
29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,
31even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.
32For God has bound all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
33Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
34“For who has known the mind of the Lord?
35“Or who has first given to him,
36For of him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Romans 11:6
“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.”
This verse provides a fundamental definition of grace by contrasting it with human works and merit.
Romans 11:17
“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 root and of the richness of the olive tree,”
This introduces the central metaphor of the chapter, explaining the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers.
Romans 11:33
“Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!”
It begins a profound hymn of praise that summarizes the majesty and complexity of God's providence.
Chapter Summary
In Romans 11, Paul addresses the question of whether God has rejected His people, Israel. He asserts that a remnant exists by grace, citing his own heritage and the historical example of Elijah. Paul explains that while some branches of the natural olive tree (Israel) were broken off due to unbelief, wild olive branches (Gentiles) have been grafted in to share in the nourishment of the root. He cautions Gentile believers against pride, reminding them that they are supported by the root and not the other way around. Paul describes a 'mystery' involving a partial hardening of Israel that persists until the fullness of the Gentiles has come. He emphasizes that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable and that God's ultimate purpose is to show mercy to all. The chapter concludes with a powerful doxology, praising the depth of God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge, affirming that all things exist through and for Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul defines the remnant as a small group of people from Israel who remain faithful to God through grace. He uses the story of Elijah, where 7,000 men did not bow to Baal, to show that God always preserves a faithful portion of His people.
The olive tree represents the covenant line of God's people. The natural branches represent Israel, some of which were removed due to unbelief, while the wild branches represent Gentiles who are grafted in through faith to share in the spiritual heritage.
Paul explicitly states that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Even though there is a partial hardening, he argues that Israel remains beloved because of the patriarchs and God's enduring promises.
At the end of the chapter, Paul describes God's wisdom as a 'depth of riches' that is unsearchable and beyond human tracing. He concludes that no one can fully know the mind of the Lord or act as His counselor.
Study Note
Paul's reference to grafting wild olive branches into a cultivated tree was a known, though counter-intuitive, agricultural practice used to revitalize old trees in the ancient world.
Related Chapters
1 Kings 19
Paul references the account of Elijah and the seven thousand faithful men found in this Old Testament chapter.
Isaiah 29
Paul quotes from Isaiah to describe the spiritual stupor and hardening of those who rejected the message.
Ephesians 2
This chapter provides a similar exploration of how Gentiles and Jews are brought together through faith.
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