Romans 11:7-10
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Paul highlights a stark contrast: Israel, as a whole, missed the mark in their pursuit of God's favor. It wasn't that they weren't seeking, but their method was flawed, leading to a spiritual hardening for the majority, while a chosen few grasped what they were striving for.
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is continuing his argument about God’s faithfulness to Israel, even though most of the nation rejected Jesus. He's just explained that God always preserves a faithful remnant, and now he’s drawing a stark contrast between those who found salvation in Christ and those who didn't. This verse sets up the explanation for why this division happened, highlighting that the majority of Israel missed God's plan while a select few received it, with the rest being deliberately hardened.
Israel was actively looking for something. But what was it, and why did they miss the mark?
Paul starts this passage by asking, "What then?". He’s looking back at the Jewish people as a whole. What were they seeking? It wasn't just general favor from God. The context (referencing Romans 10:3) points to a righteousness that would make them acceptable to God. They were striving for a way to stand right with the Almighty, a way to earn His approval.
However, their method was the fatal flaw. They pursued righteousness through meticulous adherence to the Law, believing their obedience could earn their standing. This is a critical insight: even sincere religious effort can miss God’s intended path if it’s not aligned with His revealed way through faith in Christ.
Paul sharply contrasts two groups within Israel. What’s the difference between those who 'obtained' and those who were 'hardened'?
Paul then presents a stark division: "The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened." This isn't about two different kinds of people, but about two different responses and divine dealings within the same nation of Israel.
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Understand the original words
eklogē · Greek Noun
Those whom God, according to His sovereign purpose and eternal counsel, has chosen for salvation, not based on foreseen merit, but according to His own good pleasure and mercy.
pōroō · Greek Verb (passive participle used as noun)
The state of spiritual dullness, insensitivity, or callousness where the heart becomes unresponsive to divine truth, often as a result of persistent rejection of God’s revelation.
katanuxis · Greek Noun
A state of spiritual lethargy, confusion, or lack of perception, where one is rendered unable to comprehend or respond to the reality of God, often functioning as a divine judgment.
pagis · Greek Noun
A device, lure, or bait intended to ensnare a person; figuratively used in Scripture to describe that which causes someone to fall into sin or judgment, often unexpectedly.
skandalon · Greek Noun
An impediment or cause of ruin; an obstacle placed in one's path that leads to spiritual fall or apostasy.
antapodoma · Greek Noun
A repayment or recompense, usually referring to just punishment for sins or rejection of God's truth.
This passage speaks directly to the tension in the 1st century AD when the message of Jesus as Messiah, initially proclaimed to Jews, was also being accepted by Gentiles. Many Jewish leaders and people rejected Jesus, hardening their hearts, while a chosen remnant among them, along with Gentiles, embraced the faith.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus preached the coming of God's kingdom, offering salvation. His crucifixion and resurrection were central events for his followers.
c. 30-33 AD
Early Church Growth
The apostles began preaching Jesus' resurrection, leading to the formation of the early Christian church, primarily among Jewish people.
c. 30-36 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom and Scattering
Stephen, a prominent early Christian leader, was stoned to death, causing many Jewish followers of Jesus to flee Jerusalem and Judea.
c. 35-36 AD
Saul's Conversion on Damascus Road
Saul of Tarsus, a fervent persecutor of Christians, dramatically encountered the risen Jesus and became a devoted apostle, later known as Paul.
c. 40-50 AD
Mission to the Gentiles Begins
The gospel message, initially shared among Jews, began to be powerfully proclaimed to non-Jewish people (Gentiles), leading to significant controversy.
c. 57 AD— this verse
Paul Writes Romans from Corinth
Paul, imprisoned or in a time of intense ministry, penned his letter to the believers in Rome to explain the gospel and address tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers.
This passage directly precedes Romans 11:7 and sets up the contrast. It explains that Israel sought righteousness through works, not faith, and thus failed to obtain it, highlighting the same core issue as Romans 11:7.
Isaiah 6:9-10This prophecy, quoted by Paul in Romans 11:8, directly speaks to the hardening of Israel. It shows that this condition was foretold, emphasizing God's sovereign hand in the nation's spiritual state.
John 12:39-40Jesus himself quotes Isaiah 6:9-10, explaining that the reason Israel didn't believe was due to their hardening by God. This connects Jesus' ministry to the same divine action described in Romans 11:7.
Romans 9:18Paul states directly that God 'has mercy on whom he chooses, and he hardens whom he will.' This verse establishes the theological principle that underlies the hardening described in Romans 11:7, affirming God's sovereign will.
1 Corinthians 1:23This verse speaks of Christ being a 'stumbling block to Jews and a foolishness to Gentiles,' which echoes the concept in Romans 11:7 that Israel, as a nation, missed the salvation they sought in Christ, while a chosen remnant found it.
ellicottRomans 11:7: "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded"
(7) What is the result? Not only did Israel fail to obtain the salvation which it sought, and which the select few succeeded in obtaining, but it was consigned to a state of complete spiritual apathy and torpor, and its very blessings became a curse and a snare. Were blinded.—An erroneous translation, arising from a confusion of two similar words. The correc…
vincentRomans 11:7: "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded"
Obtained (ἐπετυχεν)The simple verb τυγχάνω means originally to hit the mark; hence to fall in with, light upon, attain.The election (ἡ ἐκλογὴ)Abstract for concrete. Those elected; like ἡ περιτομή the circumcision for those uncircumcised (Ephesians 2:11. Compare τὴν κατατομήν the concision, Philippians 3:3).Were blinded (ἐπωρώθησαν)Rev., correctly,…
Paul highlights a stark contrast: Israel, as a whole, missed the mark in their pursuit of God's favor. It wasn't that they weren't seeking, but their method was flawed, leading to a spiritual hardening for the majority, while a chosen few grasped what they were striving for.
Paul is continuing his argument about God’s faithfulness to Israel, even though most of the nation rejected Jesus. He's just explained that God always preserves a faithful remnant, and now he’s drawing a stark contrast between those who found salvation in Christ and those who didn't. This verse sets up the explanation for why this division happened, highlighting that the majority of Israel missed God's plan while a select few received it, with the rest being deliberately hardened.
Paul is continuing his argument about God’s faithfulness to Israel, even though most of the nation rejected Jesus. He's just explained that God always preserves a faithful remnant, and now he’s drawing a stark contrast between those who found salvation in Christ and those who didn't. This verse sets up the explanation for why this division happened, highlighting that the majority of Israel missed God's plan while a select few received it, with the rest being deliberately hardened.
"What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that would not see
and ears that would not hear,…" — Paul highlights a stark contrast: Israel, as a whole, missed the mark in their pursuit of God's favor. It wasn't that they weren't seeking, but their method was flawed, leading to a spiritual hardeni…
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Last reviewed October 2026