in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul’s focus on saving “some” reveals his humble hope; he didn't expect a mass revival of his countrymen, but celebrated the possibility of even a few individuals finding faith through his ministry. This “some” also highlights the connection he sees between the blessing of Gentiles and the potential for Jewish emulation, suggesting that witnessing God’s grace poured out on others might be the spark that ignites their own pursuit of Christ.
in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining his ministry to the Gentiles and how it relates to his own Jewish people. He argues that the Gentiles' acceptance into God's covenant, despite Israel's rejection, is meant to stir up a holy jealousy in the Jews, ultimately leading some of them to salvation. He expresses his deep desire, rooted in his identity as a Jew, to see his kinsmen saved, even if it’s just a few at a time.
Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles wasn't just about reaching new people. It had a specific, powerful aim for his own Jewish people.
Paul describes his ministry to the Gentiles as a strategy to make his fellow Jews "jealous." This isn't about petty envy, but a holy emulation.
A Divine Strategy
When Paul speaks of saving 'some' of his people, it might sound limited. But what does that tell us about God's work and Paul's perspective?
Paul's humble acknowledgment that he aimed to save 'some' of his people reveals a profound understanding of both human resistance and divine sovereignty.
Realistic Hope
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Paul's deep yearning to reach his fellow Jews with the gospel, even amidst their widespread rejection of Jesus, stemmed from a strategic hope: seeing Gentiles embrace salvation might stir in Jewish hearts a 'holy jealousy,' provoking them to reconsider Christ and find salvation themselves.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
The execution of Jesus of Nazareth by the Roman authorities, a pivotal event that led to the early growth of the Christian movement.
c. 33-36 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom and Jewish Persecution
The stoning of Stephen, a Hellenistic Jewish disciple of Jesus, marked an escalation of persecution against the early Jesus movement within Jerusalem.
c. 34-36 AD
Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, experienced a dramatic conversion and became the Apostle Paul, a key missionary to the Gentiles.
c. 46-48 AD
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, accompanied by Barnabas, traveled through Asia Minor, establishing churches among both Jewish and Gentile communities.
c. 49-51 AD
Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Paul and Silas traveled through Asia Minor and into Greece, facing opposition but also experiencing success in spreading the gospel to Gentile cities.
c. 52-56 AD
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Paul spent an extended period in Ephesus, a major center of Gentile culture, continuing his ministry and writing letters to various churches.
c. 60-62 AD— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul, under house arrest in Rome, continued to preach and write, including his letter to the Romans, where he discusses the salvation of Gentiles and the future of Israel.
This passage mirrors Paul's intense desire to 'save some,' whether Jew or Gentile, demonstrating his adaptable approach to ministry for the sake of souls.
Deuteronomy 32:21This Old Testament passage prophesies God provoking Israel to jealousy through a 'foolish nation' (Gentiles), which Paul alludes to as a means to stir up his own people.
Isaiah 58:7This verse speaks of acts of kindness and compassion, which provides a backdrop for understanding Paul's deep affection ('my flesh') and desire to see his own people experience God's saving grace.
Acts 13:46This account shows Paul turning to the Gentiles after the Jews largely rejected the message, highlighting the very scenario Paul reflects on in Romans 11 – salvation coming to the Gentiles through Jewish rejection.
Romans 10:19Paul directly quotes Deuteronomy 32:21 here, showing how the Gentiles' reception of the gospel was intended to provoke Israel to a spiritual jealousy and a desire for what they had missed.
vincentRomans 11:14: "If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them."
Some of themA modest expression which recalls Paul's limited success among his own countrymen.
cambridgeRomans 11:14: "If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them."
14 . provoke to emulation ] Same word as that rendered “provoke to jealousy,” Romans 11:11 . save some of them ] The phrase implies that he looked for conversions only one by one, through his own ministry. Probably he suggests the contrast of results hereafter, when the crisis predicted in Romans 11:25 should come. Or again, he may mean that to save even some, in any event, was worth…
Paul’s focus on saving “some” reveals his humble hope; he didn't expect a mass revival of his countrymen, but celebrated the possibility of even a few individuals finding faith through his ministry. This “some” also highlights the connection he sees between the blessing of Gentiles and the potential for Jewish emulation, suggesting that witnessing God’s grace poured out on others might be the spark that ignites their own pursuit of Christ.
Paul is explaining his ministry to the Gentiles and how it relates to his own Jewish people. He argues that the Gentiles' acceptance into God's covenant, despite Israel's rejection, is meant to stir up a holy jealousy in the Jews, ultimately leading some of them to salvation. He expresses his deep desire, rooted in his identity as a Jew, to see his kinsmen saved, even if it’s just a few at a time.
Paul is explaining his ministry to the Gentiles and how it relates to his own Jewish people. He argues that the Gentiles' acceptance into God's covenant, despite Israel's rejection, is meant to stir up a holy jealousy in the Jews, ultimately leading some of them to salvation. He expresses his deep desire, rooted in his identity as a Jew, to see his kinsmen saved, even if it’s just a few at a time.
"in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them." — Paul’s focus on saving “some” reveals his humble hope; he didn't expect a mass revival of his countrymen, but celebrated the possibility of even a few individuals finding faith through his ministry.…
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Last reviewed October 2026