A Remnant Chosen by Grace

1I say, then, did God cast off His people? It could not be! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God did not cast off His people whom He foreknew. Or know ye not what the Scripture says of Elijah? how he pleads with God against Israel: 3"Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, they have digged down Thy altars; and I am left alone, and they are seeking my soul." 4But what says the answer of God to him? "I left for Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5Even so, then, at this present time also, a remnant, according to an election of grace, has been reserved. 6But, if by grace, it is no longer of works; otherwise the grace becomes no longer grace. [But, if of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise, the work is no longer work.]

7What, then? What Israel is seeking for, this he did not obtain; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

8as it has been written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day."

9And David says, "Let their table be a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompense to them:

10let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always."

The Ingrafting of the Gentiles

11I Say, then, did they stumble, that they might fall? It could not be! But by their trespass salvation has come to the gentiles to provoke them to rivalry. 12Now, if their trespass is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the gentiles, how much more their fulness? 13But I am speaking to you gentiles. Inasmuch, indeed, then, as I am an apostle of the gentiles, I glorify my ministry; 14if by any means I may excite to rivalry my flesh, and save some of them. 15For, if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what will the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16And, if the first-fruit is holy, so also is the lump; and, if the root is holy, so also are the branches.

17And, if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became a joint-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the Olive tree; 18boast not against the branches. But, if you boast, it is not you that bear the root; but the root, you. 19You will say, then, "The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." 20Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, but you have been standing by faith. Do not cherish lofty thoughts; but fear. 21For, if God spared not the natural branches, neither will He spare you. 22Behold, then, God's kindness and severity; toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise, you also shall be cut off. 23And they also, if they continue not in unbelief, shall be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. 24For, if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

All Israel Will Be Saved

25For I do not wish you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery (lest ye be wise in your own conceits), that a hardening, in part, has befallen Israel, until the fulness of the gentiles come in;

26and so all Israel shall be saved; even as it has been written, "There will come out of Zion the Deliverer; He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

27and this is the covenant from Me to them, when I shall take away their sins."

28As touching the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father's sake; 29for the gifts and calling of God are not repented of. 30For as ye in times past disobeyed God, but just now obtained mercy by their disobedience; 31even so did these now disobey, that by the mercy shown to you they also may obtain mercy. 32For God shut up all unto disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

A Hymn of Praise

33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past tracing out, 34For who knew the mind of the Lord? Or who became His counsellor? 35Or who first gave to Him, and it shall be given back to him again? 36Because, of Him, and through Him, and for Him, are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.