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A Remnant Chosen by Grace
Romans 11:1–10 asks a sharp question about whether God has rejected his people. The passage answers no, then explains that a remnant remains by grace, while other words in the passage speak seriously about hardening and blindness.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses begin with the question, “Did God reject his people?” The passage answers by pointing to an Israelite from Abraham’s family and Benjamin’s tribe, then to Scripture about Elijah, the seven thousand kept from Baal, the remnant by grace, and quotations about stupor, stumbling, and darkened eyes.
Romans 11:1–10Main takeaway
This passage teaches that God has not rejected his people, because a remnant remains by grace, while the passage also gives a sober warning about hardening.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The opening question and answerThe passage begins by asking whether God rejected his people, and it answers with a strong no.
Explanation
The passage begins by asking whether God rejected his people, and it answers with a strong no. It then gives one immediate example: “I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.” That personal example shows that the claim of total rejection is not true in the way the question suggests.
02Elijah’s complaint and God’s replyNext, the passage points to Scripture about Elijah. Elijah speaks as if he is left alone after prophets were killed and altars broken down.
Explanation
Next, the passage points to Scripture about Elijah. Elijah speaks as if he is left alone after prophets were killed and altars broken down. God’s answer corrects that impression: seven thousand had been reserved who had not bowed to Baal. The example shows that God may preserve faithful people even when they seem hidden from view.
03A remnant according to graceThe passage then says, “Even so too at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
Explanation
The passage then says, “Even so too at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” It immediately explains that grace and works are different bases. If something is by grace, it is not by works. The stress here falls on God’s grace as the reason this remnant exists.
04Obtained by the chosen, hardening for the restThe final verses say that what Israel seeks was not obtained by all, though “the chosen ones obtained it”, while “the rest were hardened”.
Explanation
The final verses say that what Israel seeks was not obtained by all, though “the chosen ones obtained it”, while “the rest were hardened”. The quotations that follow speak of stupor, unseeing eyes, unhearing ears, a table becoming a snare, and darkened eyes. These words make the warning in the passage weighty and serious.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the opening verse answer the question about rejection?
Notice both the direct answer and the personal example given in the same verse.
02What contrast do you see between Elijah’s words and God’s reply?
Compare Elijah saying, “I am left alone”, with God saying he has reserved seven thousand.
03How does this passage explain the difference between grace and works?
Read the wording in Romans 11:5–6 and trace how the passage treats them as distinct bases.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 11:1–10
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.”
4But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
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.”
9David says, “Let their table be made a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.
10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Always keep their backs bent.”