Romans 11
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Although Paul's dad lived in Rome, his genealogy, bloodline was that of the tribe of Benjamin, of Judaea, an Israelite.
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,
Not one soul was eliminated in the first age when our Father "foreknew" us all. We are all given this chance to see who we want. Christ or satan.
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
Elijah feels the enemy surrounding him, but God has a purpose for him and a purpose for us. If you're one of Gods, He's your protector, your comforter.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
God has 7000 that would never bow to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
The remnant are those who pass The Truth down generation to generation. And some chosen before the foundation of this world age.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
We have been given the "grace" = favor of God by Christ sacrifice on the cross, but if you think you don't have to do anything in your daily walk in Christ, you're missing the point of being a Christian. The remnant held The Truth and gave The Truth for others to hold, passing it down to the next generation.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
The election know The Truth and are here today to pass it around. To prepare those that are blind to The Truth in The Way they should go. The Elect were held for this age in time. The "set aside ones" chosen before this flesh age.
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Many refuse The Truth, but our Father gives The Truth to the world through every generation that it may be obtained. Many new religions and new gods show up every day, yet The Truth continues to grow despite satans attempts to stop it.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Our table is where we are fed. If you're not being fed, you're going to starve. Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. Without The Truth in you, you die.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Refuse God, He'll let you carry your own load and it's going to be so heavy it will bow your back. When you have The Lord, He helps you carry the things that try to weigh you down.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
God doesn't allow them to fall to destroy them, but that they would have a change of heart and follow His Way. Those that fall see how the power of God has blessed others. By seeing this He has hopes the fallen will seek His Way.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
With the fall of Israel came the salvation for the world, Christ Jesus and the whole world gained.
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul isn't teaching because of himself, but because of that of God. He want's EVERYONE to come to The Truth of God and Christ sacrifice on the cross.
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Paul isn't afraid to do what it takes to separate the world from satans tricks of the flesh and bring them to The Lord Christ Jesus.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
The world is spiritually dead and Paul would give his life in exchange of them coming to Christ.
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Christ Jesus in The Holy One and to be Christian is to be Christ like. Strive to that Tree of life, Christ Jesus.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
This "wild olive tree" = the Gentile nations, all those who aren't partakers of Christ. Accept Christ and you become grafted on to that Tree of Life and that "olive tree" and The kingdom of God. Christ tells us, John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
As a Christian we do the work that is in righteousness not boastfulness attitudes but humble, kind loving and with salt. It's not easy, but worthwhile. We must do it Christ way, John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
There is room for everyone, but God isn't a game to play. He's a loving Father for those who seek Him.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
God didn't spare the tribes Israel "the natural branches" and He won't spare anyone that refuse His Way. Our Father is fair!
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
It's simple, follow God and do good = reward, reject Him and do evil = punishment.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Change your ways from evil and God adopts you as His child. You're grafted onto the "olive tree" and The kingdom of God.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
One Way to be grafted by everyone, that's Christ Jesus. Repentance in His name grafts you in, your works keep you in. You fall away, you're "cut off" = "hew down" separated. At the end of it all, Heaven doesn't have any evil in it.
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
There is a stupor in those of the world, those that refuse The Truth. God will let you go your own way if that's what you chose but it won't change His plans.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Christ is The Way now and to come, Nothing changes!
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
The gospel from Israel's enemies view, are in a blind stupor. While God protects the elect for His purpose.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
God has a plan and nothing we say or do will change that fact.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
When the tribes fell into idolatry, God sent His Son that gave salvation to all that would accept Him. God provides The Way, but we must accept The Way.
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
We hold to The Truth and bring them what they refuse that they may see Christ and change their ways.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Without the study of God's Word, wisdom and knowledge of His plan will not be known to you.
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
We don't know His mind, but we know His plans. We can't be His counselor, but He sure can be ours. His Word brings us peace of mind.
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
What we do, good or bad comes back to us more so. God sees to it!
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Good or bad in our lives, God's plan works out for His glory. We decide the direction we go and reward at the end of one path and punishment the other. Our Fathers plan will not change, " to whom be glory for ever. Amen."