The phrase "whom he foreknew" here doesn't just mean God foresaw them; it implies a deep, personal knowledge rooted in His eternal purpose and love. This isn't about God predicting who will be faithful, but about Him setting His choosing love on them before time even began.
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul addresses the concern that God has abandoned Israel, reminding his readers that God's foreknowledge and covenant faithfulness mean His people are not entirely cast off. He then points to the prophet Elijah's time, when Israel had largely turned to idolatry, as a precedent where God preserved a faithful remnant, even when things seemed utterly lost. This historical example serves to illustrate that a majority's rebellion doesn't mean God has completely disowned His people.
When Scripture says God 'foreknew' Israel, it's not just about seeing the future. It's about a deep, abiding purpose.
The concept of God 'foreknowing' His people, as mentioned in this verse, goes beyond mere prediction. It speaks to a deep-seated, eternal purpose and a special kind of knowledge that implies a covenantal relationship.
Divine Election
In a moment of deep crisis, Elijah felt utterly alone. But God's perspective revealed a hidden reality.
The story of Elijah, referenced here, is a powerful illustration of how God's perspective on His people can differ dramatically from human perception, especially during times of apparent crisis.
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A Prophet's Despair
Understand the original words
proegnō · Greek Verb
The act of God knowing beforehand, specifically in the context of salvation and covenant relationship. It implies an intimate, intentional, and sovereign choice or decree before the foundation of the world.
graphē · Greek Noun
The sacred writings of the Old and New Testament, viewed as the inspired, authoritative, and infallible Word of God.
prophētas · Greek Noun
Those called and sent by God to proclaim His message, rebuke sin, and call the people back to repentance, often serving as spokespersons for the divine will.
thysiastēria · Greek Noun
A structure, often made of earth or stone, used for offering sacrifices and burnt offerings to God as an act of worship, atonement, or thanksgiving.
Baal · Hebrew/Greek Proper Noun
A Canaanite deity associated with fertility and storms, whose worship was a constant temptation and source of spiritual adultery for Israel in the Old Testament.
Paul uses the story of Elijah, who felt abandoned by God amidst widespread apostasy in Israel, to remind his readers that God always preserves a faithful remnant, even when it's not obvious.
c. 870 BC
Elijah's Confrontation at Mount Carmel
Elijah publicly challenges and defeats the prophets of Baal, leading to their slaughter. This event dramatically highlights the religious apostasy in Israel.
c. 870 BC— this verse
Elijah Flees Jezebel
After his victory, Elijah flees for his life from Queen Jezebel, who vows to kill him. He despairs, believing he is the only faithful worshiper of God left.
c. 870 BC
God's Revelation to Elijah
While in the wilderness, God speaks to Elijah. In response to Elijah's lament that all Israel has forsaken Him, God reveals that 7,000 faithful Israelites remain.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar deports some of the Jewish elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and deports the majority of the remaining population to Babylon, ending the southern kingdom of Judah.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus conquers Babylon, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus, the Messiah, is crucified, an event that causes many of His followers, including most of the Jewish leadership and populace, to reject Him.
This passage is the direct source for Paul's reference to Elijah, showing the prophet's complaint to God about his perceived isolation and the widespread idolatry in Israel, mirroring the situation Paul is addressing.
Jeremiah 11:15This verse presents a similar theme of God speaking through a prophet (Jeremiah) about a remnant, where God expresses His sorrow over His people's actions and questions their 'beloved' status, echoing the tension between God's people and their unfaithfulness.
Romans 8:29This verse introduces the concept of God's foreknowledge that leads to predestination and conformity to Christ, providing theological depth to Paul's statement in Romans 11:2 about God 'foreknowing' His people.
Isaiah 10:22This verse speaks of a 'remnant' returning to God, which directly informs Paul's argument in Romans 11 that despite the majority's rejection, a chosen few from Israel are preserved, aligning with the Elijah narrative.
Luke 20:37-38Jesus uses a similar method of scriptural reference, pointing to the passage about Moses and the burning bush to prove the resurrection, demonstrating that 'in' a particular scripture passage refers to the content of that passage, which is how Paul refers to Elijah's story.
ellicottRomans 11:2: "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,"
(2) Which he foreknew. —This must not be pressed too far, as implying an absolute indefectibility of the divine favour. God, having in His eternal counsels set His choice upon Israel as His peculiar people, will not readily disown them. Nor is their case really so bad as it may seem. Now, as in the days of Elijah, there are a…
barnesRomans 11:2: "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,"
God hath set cast away - This is an explicit denial of the objection. Which he foreknew - The word "foreknew" is expressive not merely of foreseeing a thing, but implies in this place a previous purpose or plan; see the note at Romans 8:29. The meaning of the passage is simply, God has not cast off those whom he had before pu…
The phrase "whom he foreknew" here doesn't just mean God foresaw them; it implies a deep, personal knowledge rooted in His eternal purpose and love. This isn't about God predicting who will be faithful, but about Him setting His choosing love on them before time even began.
Paul addresses the concern that God has abandoned Israel, reminding his readers that God's foreknowledge and covenant faithfulness mean His people are not entirely cast off. He then points to the prophet Elijah's time, when Israel had largely turned to idolatry, as a precedent where God preserved a faithful remnant, even when things seemed utterly lost. This historical example serves to illustrate that a majority's rebellion doesn't mean God has completely disowned His people.
Paul addresses the concern that God has abandoned Israel, reminding his readers that God's foreknowledge and covenant faithfulness mean His people are not entirely cast off. He then points to the prophet Elijah's time, when Israel had largely turned to idolatry, as a precedent where God preserved a faithful remnant, even when things seemed utterly lost. This historical example serves to illustrate that a majority's rebellion doesn't mean God has completely disowned His people.
"God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and th…" — The phrase "whom he foreknew" here doesn't just mean God foresaw them; it implies a deep, personal knowledge rooted in His eternal purpose and love. This isn't about God predicting who will be fait…
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Last reviewed October 2026
