Romans 11:28
As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a profound paradox: while Israel, as a nation, rejected the Gospel and became estranged from God for the Gentiles' benefit, they remain "beloved" in God's eyes because of His ancient covenant promises to their forefathers. This shows God’s enduring faithfulness to His chosen people, even amidst their present unbelief, emphasizing that His election is based on His eternal purposes, not human merit.
Paul is explaining the complex relationship between God's chosen people, Israel, and the Gentile believers. He’s just detailed how Israel’s temporary stumbling has led to salvation for Gentiles, but he clarifies this doesn't mean God has abandoned Israel. This verse sets up the assurance that God's eternal promises to Israel remain, even amidst their current rejection of the gospel, paving the way for future restoration.
Paul uses a seemingly contradictory statement to describe Israel's position. How can a people be both 'enemies' and 'beloved' at the same time?
Paul addresses the complex reality of Israel's relationship with God in his day. He acknowledges that, with respect to the gospel, they acted as enemies. Their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and their opposition to the early Christian movement placed them in a state of estrangement from God's immediate favor.
However, Paul immediately pivots, stating that 'as regards election, they are beloved.' This points to God's original and ongoing choice of Israel as His people, a choice rooted in His covenant faithfulness to their forefathers like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their current opposition to the gospel didn't erase God's foundational love and purpose for them as a nation. It's a profound reminder that God's perspective on His people is deeper than their immediate actions or acceptance of a specific message.
Why does Paul emphasize 'for the sake of their forefathers' when discussing Israel's election?
Paul grounds God's enduring love for Israel in His covenant promises made to their ancestors. The term 'election' here refers not just to a select few, but to God's sovereign choice of the entire nation of Israel to be His special people.
This choice wasn't based on Israel's merit, but on God's faithfulness to His promises given to Abraham and his descendants. Think of it like a family heirloom; the value and history passed down through generations impact how the heirloom is viewed and treated today. Similarly, God's favor toward Israel, initiated through the patriarchs, continues to define their relationship with Him, even amidst their current rejection of the Messiah. God's 'gifts and calling' are irrevocable, meaning His foundational choice of Israel remains unchanged.
Understand the original words
euangelion · Greek Noun
The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the message of God’s redemptive work, his kingdom, and the historical reality of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
eklogē · Greek Noun
The sovereign act of God by which He chooses individuals or groups for Himself, based on His own purpose and grace rather than human merit or works.
This verse speaks to the tension between Israel's rejection of Jesus as Messiah, which opened the door for Gentiles, and God's enduring covenantal promises to Abraham and his descendants.
c. 2000 BC - 1400 BC
Patriarchal Covenant Established
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and to be their God. This covenant is passed down through Isaac and Jacob (Israel).
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy of Israel
Under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, Israel flourishes as a unified nation, establishing Jerusalem as its capital and the Temple as the center of worship.
722 BC
Fall of Northern Kingdom (Israel)
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants, leading to the loss of the ten tribes.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Kingdom (Judah)
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiles a significant portion of the population to Babylon.
This passage highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham and his descendants, directly echoing the idea in Romans 11:28 that the Jews are beloved for their forefathers' sake.
Jeremiah 31:3Jeremiah speaks of God's everlasting love for Israel, demonstrating that even amidst judgment and exile, God's heart remains set on His chosen people due to His ancient covenant, mirroring Paul's point about election overriding present opposition.
Romans 9:4-5This earlier passage in Romans details the unique privileges of Israel, including their adoption and the lineage of the Messiah, underscoring the deep, historical 'election' Paul refers to in chapter 11.
Acts 13:46Paul himself declares that because the Jews rejected the gospel, he and Barnabas would turn to the Gentiles, illustrating the 'enemies for your sake' aspect of Romans 11:28, where Jewish rejection opened the door for Gentiles.
Genesis 17:7God's covenant promise to Abraham, 'I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations,' is the foundational 'fathers' sake' that Paul references, showing the enduring basis for God's election of Israel.
ellicottRomans 11:28: "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes."
(28) The real position of the Jews is this: They have been suffered to fall into a state of estrangement in order to make room for the Gentiles. But this does not abrogate God’s original choice of them. They are still His beloved people, for the sake of their forefathers, the patriarchs, if not for their own.
gillRomans 11:28: "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes."
As concerning the Gospel,.... Whereas it might be objected to the call and conversion of the Jews, their implacable enmity to the Gospel, the apostle replies, by granting, that with respect to that, they were enemies to God and Christ, to the Gospel, and the ministers of it, and particularly to the apostle: for your sakes; the Gentiles, to whom it was…
The verse highlights a profound paradox: while Israel, as a nation, rejected the Gospel and became estranged from God for the Gentiles' benefit, they remain "beloved" in God's eyes because of His ancient covenant promises to their forefathers. This shows God’s enduring faithfulness to His chosen people, even amidst their present unbelief, emphasizing that His election is based on His eternal purposes, not human merit.
Paul is explaining the complex relationship between God's chosen people, Israel, and the Gentile believers. He’s just detailed how Israel’s temporary stumbling has led to salvation for Gentiles, but he clarifies this doesn't mean God has abandoned Israel. This verse sets up the assurance that God's eternal promises to Israel remain, even amidst their current rejection of the gospel, paving the way for future restoration.
Paul is explaining the complex relationship between God's chosen people, Israel, and the Gentile believers. He’s just detailed how Israel’s temporary stumbling has led to salvation for Gentiles, but he clarifies this doesn't mean God has abandoned Israel. This verse sets up the assurance that God's eternal promises to Israel remain, even amidst their current rejection of the gospel, paving the way for future restoration.
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c. 539 BC - 515 BC
Return from Exile and Second Temple Period
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, many Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, ushering in the Second Temple period.
c. AD 30 - AD 33— this verse
Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, lives, teaches, dies, and is resurrected. Many Jews reject Him, while His followers, including Gentiles, begin to form the early Church.
c. AD 50-60s
Paul's Epistles to the Churches
Paul writes letters, including Romans, to various communities, explaining the inclusion of Gentiles in God's salvation plan and addressing the status of Israel.
"As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers." — The verse highlights a profound paradox: while Israel, as a nation, rejected the Gospel and became estranged from God for the Gentiles' benefit, they remain "beloved" in God's eyes because of His anc…
