Romans 11:2

"I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin."

Key Reflection

Paul begins Romans 11 by addressing the question of whether God has permanently rejected His chosen people, the Israelites. He emphatically denies this notion, drawing on his own identity as an Israelite descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin to underscore that he is speaking from firsthand knowledge and experience. This self-identification serves to challenge any idea that God's covenant with Abraham has been broken; instead, Paul maintains that God remains faithful to His promises despite the challenges faced by the Israelites.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 2. God hath not 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 Barnes "Ro 8:29". The meaning of the passage is simply, God has not cast off those whom he had before purposed or designed to be his people. It is the declaration of a great principle of Divine government that God is not changeable; and that he would not reject those whom he had purposed should be his people.

Related Verses

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