Romans 11:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

NIV: And what was God's answer to him? 'I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.'

NASB: But what is the divine response to him? 'I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.'

CSB: But what was God's answer to him? I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal.

NLT: And do you remember God’s reply? He said, 'No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!'

KJV: But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

NKJV: But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

This passage continues to prove that Israel has not been entirely abandoned by God. Even though they have rejected Christ, God has not given up on His promises to them. Nor has He changed their status as His chosen people.

The previous verse quoted Elijah's words to God in 1 Kings 19:10. Elijah complained, in essence, that he was the last Israelite left who remained faithful to God and did not worship Baal. In this verse, Paul quotes God's reply to Elijah, found in 1 Kings 19:18. God says that He has kept for Himself 7,000 men who have not bowed to Baal. They remained faithful to God. Elijah was not alone, after all.

Paul will show that the same is true of Israel in his day. Though most of Israel has missed the righteousness of God by rejecting faith in Christ, a remnant of Israelites is faithful to God in and through Christ.

Romans 11:1–10 finds Paul insisting that God has not rejected Israel forever, despite her refusal to come to Christ. For one thing, Paul himself and a remnant of Jewish people have trusted in Christ by God's grace. God has hardened the rest of Israel in her unbelief, causing her to trip over the stumbling block that is Jesus Christ. They remain unable, for now, to see that following the law will not bring them to God's righteousness. But the story isn't over.

In Romans 11, Paul concludes his exploration of God's plan for His chosen people Israel. It's true that as a nation, Israel has rejected faith in Christ, but a remnant of Israelites has believed in Jesus. God has hardened the rest in unbelief, but will bring Israel back to faith when enough Gentiles have come to Him through Christ. Then many Israelites will trust in Christ, as well, and God will renew His covenant with His people. Paul concludes this section with a powerful poem or hymn about God's independence and how He is beyond our full comprehension.

Romans 11 concludes Paul's discussion about God's plan for the Israelites begun in Romans 9 and 10. Paul insists that, though Israel as a nation has rejected Christ, a remnant of Jewish Christians exists by God's grace. God has hardened the rest in their unbelief until enough Gentiles have come to Him through Christ. Then God will release Israel to believe in Christ and restore His covenant with her as many individual Jews come to faith in Christ, as well. Paul stands in awe of God's vast and unknowable mind and complete ownership of all things.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 5/3/2024 4:56:43 PM