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11 I say, then, Did God cast away His people? let it not be! for I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin:

God did not cast away His people whom He knew before; have ye not known -- in Elijah -- what the Writing saith? how he doth plead with God concerning Israel, saying,

`Lord, Thy prophets they did kill, and Thy altars they dug down, and I was left alone, and they seek my life;'

but what saith the divine answer to him? `I left to Myself seven thousand men, who did not bow a knee to Baal.'

So then also in the present time a remnant according to the choice of grace there hath been;

and if by grace, no more of works, otherwise the grace becometh no more grace; and if of works, it is no more grace, otherwise the work is no more work.

What then? What Israel doth seek after, this it did not obtain, and the chosen did obtain, and the rest were hardened,

according as it hath been written, `God gave to them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear,' -- unto this very day,

and David saith, `Let their table become for a snare, and for a trap, and for a stumbling-block, and for a recompense to them;

10 let their eyes be darkened -- not to behold, and their back do Thou always bow down.'

11 I say, then, Did they stumble that they might fall? let it not be! but by their fall the salvation [is] to the nations, to arouse them to jealousy;

12 and if the fall of them [is] the riches of a world, and the diminution of them the riches of nations, how much more the fulness of them?

13 For to you I speak -- to the nations -- inasmuch as I am indeed an apostle of nations, my ministration I do glorify;

14 if by any means I shall arouse to jealousy mine own flesh, and shall save some of them,

15 for if the casting away of them [is] a reconciliation of the world, what the reception -- if not life out of the dead?

16 and if the first-fruit [is] holy, the lump also; and if the root [is] holy, the branches also.

17 And if certain of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wast graffed in among them, and a fellow-partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree didst become --

18 do not boast against the branches; and if thou dost boast, thou dost not bear the root, but the root thee!

19 Thou wilt say, then, `The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in;' right!

20 by unbelief they were broken off, and thou hast stood by faith; be not high-minded, but be fearing;

21 for if God the natural branches did not spare -- lest perhaps He also shall not spare thee.

22 Lo, then, goodness and severity of God -- upon those indeed who fell, severity; and upon thee, goodness, if thou mayest remain in the goodness, otherwise, thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And those also, if they may not remain in unbelief, shall be graffed in, for God is able again to graff them in;

24 for if thou, out of the olive tree, wild by nature, wast cut out, and, contrary to nature, wast graffed into a good olive tree, how much rather shall they, who [are] according to nature, be graffed into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, of this secret -- that ye may not be wise in your own conceits -- that hardness in part to Israel hath happened till the fulness of the nations may come in;

26 and so all Israel shall be saved, according as it hath been written, `There shall come forth out of Sion he who is delivering, and he shall turn away impiety from Jacob,

27 and this to them [is] the covenant from Me, when I may take away their sins.'

28 As regards, indeed, the good tidings, [they are] enemies on your account; and as regards the choice -- beloved on account of the fathers;

29 for unrepented of [are] the gifts and the calling of God;

30 for as ye also once did not believe in God, and now did find kindness by the unbelief of these:

31 so also these now did not believe, that in your kindness they also may find kindness;

32 for God did shut up together the whole to unbelief, that to the whole He might do kindness.

33 O depth of riches, and wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

34 for who did know the mind of the Lord? or who did become His counsellor?

35 or who did first give to Him, and it shall be given back to him again?

36 because of Him, and through Him, and to Him [are] the all things; to Him [is] the glory -- to the ages. Amen.

12 I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice -- living, sanctified, acceptable to God -- your intelligent service;

and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God -- the good, and acceptable, and perfect.

For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith,

for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office,

so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another.

And having gifts, different according to the grace that was given to us; whether prophecy -- `According to the proportion of faith!'

or ministration -- `In the ministration!' or he who is teaching -- `In the teaching!'

or he who is exhorting -- `In the exhortation!' he who is sharing -- `In simplicity!' he who is leading -- `In diligence?' he who is doing kindness -- `In cheerfulness.'

The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good;

10 in the love of brethren, to one another kindly affectioned: in the honour going before one another;

11 in the diligence not slothful; in the spirit fervent; the Lord serving;

12 in the hope rejoicing; in the tribulation enduring; in the prayer persevering;

13 to the necessities of the saints communicating; the hospitality pursuing.

14 Bless those persecuting you; bless, and curse not;

15 to rejoice with the rejoicing, and to weep with the weeping,

16 of the same mind one toward another, not minding the high things, but with the lowly going along; become not wise in your own conceit;

17 giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.

18 If possible -- so far as in you -- with all men being in peace;

19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, `Vengeance [is] Mine,

20 I will recompense again, saith the Lord;' if, then, thine enemy doth hunger, feed him; if he doth thirst, give him drink; for this doing, coals of fire thou shalt heap upon his head;

21 Be not overcome by the evil, but overcome, in the good, the evil.

13 Let every soul to the higher authorities be subject, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God,

so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment.

For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it,

for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.

Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience,

for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually;

render, therefore, to all [their] dues; to whom tribute, the tribute; to whom custom, the custom; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honour, the honour.

To no one owe anything, except to love one another; for he who is loving the other -- law he hath fulfilled,

for, `Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false testimony, Thou shalt not covet;' and if there is any other command, in this word it is summed up, in this: `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;'

10 the love to the neighbor doth work no ill; the love, therefore, [is] the fulness of law.

11 And this, knowing the time, that for us, the hour already [is] to be aroused out of sleep, for now nearer [is] our salvation than when we did believe;

12 the night did advance, and the day came nigh; let us lay aside, therefore, the works of the darkness, and let us put on the armour of the light;

13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation;

14 but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the flesh take no forethought -- for desires.

The Remnant of Israel

11 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means!(A) I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham,(B) from the tribe of Benjamin.(C) God did not reject his people,(D) whom he foreknew.(E) Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”[a]?(F) And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”[b](G) So too, at the present time there is a remnant(H) chosen by grace.(I) And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works;(J) if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain.(K) The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,(L) as it is written:

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
    eyes that could not see
    and ears that could not hear,(M)
to this very day.”[c](N)

And David says:

“May their table become a snare and a trap,
    a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,(O)
    and their backs be bent forever.”[d](P)

Ingrafted Branches

11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!(Q) Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles(R) to make Israel envious.(S) 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles,(T) how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,(U) I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy(V) and save(W) some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation(X) to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?(Y) 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits(Z) is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off,(AA) and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others(AB) and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.(AC) 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith.(AD) Do not be arrogant,(AE) but tremble.(AF) 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness(AG) and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue(AH) in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.(AI) 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.(AJ) 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree,(AK) how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

All Israel Will Be Saved

25 I do not want you to be ignorant(AL) of this mystery,(AM) brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited:(AN) Israel has experienced a hardening(AO) in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,(AP) 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved.(AQ) As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;
    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them
    when I take away their sins.”[g](AR)

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies(AS) for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,(AT) 29 for God’s gifts and his call(AU) are irrevocable.(AV) 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient(AW) to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience(AX) so that he may have mercy on them all.

Doxology

33 Oh, the depth of the riches(AY) of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God!(AZ)
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!(BA)
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”[j](BB)
35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”[k](BC)
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.(BD)
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.(BE)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,(BF) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,(BG) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform(BH) to the pattern of this world,(BI) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.(BJ) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is(BK)—his good, pleasing(BL) and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

For by the grace given me(BM) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,(BN) so in Christ we, though many, form one body,(BO) and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts,(BP) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,(BQ) then prophesy in accordance with your[l] faith;(BR) if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;(BS) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;(BT) if it is giving, then give generously;(BU) if it is to lead,[m] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

Love must be sincere.(BV) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(BW) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(BX) Honor one another above yourselves.(BY) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(BZ) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(CA) patient in affliction,(CB) faithful in prayer.(CC) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(CD) Practice hospitality.(CE)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(CF) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(CG) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(CH) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[n] Do not be conceited.(CI)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(CJ) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(CK) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(CL) 19 Do not take revenge,(CM) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[o](CN) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[p](CO)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,(CP) for there is no authority except that which God has established.(CQ) The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,(CR) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.(CS) For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.(CT) Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.(CU)

This is also why you pay taxes,(CV) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;(CW) if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.(CX) The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[q](CY) and whatever other command there may be, are summed up(CZ) in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[r](DA) 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.(DB)

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come(DC) for you to wake up from your slumber,(DD) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.(DE) So let us put aside the deeds of darkness(DF) and put on the armor(DG) of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness,(DH) not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.(DI) 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,(DJ) and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[s](DK)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 11:3 1 Kings 19:10,14
  2. Romans 11:4 1 Kings 19:18
  3. Romans 11:8 Deut. 29:4; Isaiah 29:10
  4. Romans 11:10 Psalm 69:22,23
  5. Romans 11:26 Or and so
  6. Romans 11:27 Or will be
  7. Romans 11:27 Isaiah 59:20,21; 27:9 (see Septuagint); Jer. 31:33,34
  8. Romans 11:31 Some manuscripts do not have now.
  9. Romans 11:33 Or riches and the wisdom and the
  10. Romans 11:34 Isaiah 40:13
  11. Romans 11:35 Job 41:11
  12. Romans 12:6 Or the
  13. Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others
  14. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  15. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  16. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22
  17. Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
  18. Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
  19. Romans 13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.