Explore the Bible Online

Romans 11:11-16

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

11. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but [rather] through their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12. Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14. If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them. 15. For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead? 16. For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.

Romans 11:11-16 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 11:11

Theological / Devotional

Have they stumbled? The Greek construction of the question implies a negative answer (cf. v. 1), as if he had said: “They have not stumbled so as to fall, have they?” The Jews have indeed stumbled, for “they stumbled at that stumblingstone” (ch. 9:32, 33). Many were offended at Christ. But their stumbling resulted in the bringing of the gospel to the Gentiles.

That they should fall. Or, “so as to fall.” The Greek construction may be interpreted as expressing either purpose or result. The latter is the appropriate meaning in this context.

God forbid. See on ch. 3:4.

Fall. Gr. paraptoma, literally, “a slip [or fall] sideways,” “a false step.” In ch. 5:15-20 paraptoma is translated “offense.”

Unto the Gentiles. The rejection of the gospel by the Jews, and the increasing violence of their opposition, had greatly promoted the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles and their consequent acceptance of it (see Acts 8:4; Acts 11:19-21). This was the case in Paul’s own experience at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:45-49).

Provoke them. That is, the Jews. Their privileges had made them negligent and apathetic. Now the sight of others stepping into their privileges was to rouse them from their apathy and awaken a desire to share in the blessings now being enjoyed by the Gentiles.

By SdaBc