New Living Translation
Romans 11:7
7So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.
Romans 11:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
- New International Version (NIV)What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,
- English Standard Version (ESV)What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
- New King James Version (NKJV)What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Context of Romans 11:7
5It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.” 9Likewise, David said, “Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve.
Read all of Romans 11Romans 11:7 word by word
τί οὖν; ὃ ἐπιζητεῖ Ἰσραήλ, τοῦτο οὐκ ἐπέτυχεν, ἡ δὲ ἐκλογὴ ἐπέτυχεν· οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ ἐπωρώθησανRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Whatτίςtis · which?G5101
- thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
- IsraelἸσραήλIsraēl · IsraelG2474
- hathἐπιτυγχάνωepitugchanō · to obtainG2013
- notοὐou · noG3756
- thatοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- he seeketh forἐπιζητέωepizēteō · to seek afterG1934
- butδέde · thenG1161
- the electionἐκλογήeklogē · selectingG1589
- the restλοιπόςloipoi · remainingG3062
- were blindedπωρόωpōroō · to hardenG4456
Cross-references for Romans 11:7
- Romans 3:9Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.
- Romans 6:15Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!
- 1 Corinthians 10:19What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods?
- Philippians 1:18But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
- Romans 9:31But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.
- Romans 10:3For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.
- Proverbs 1:28“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.
- Luke 13:24“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
- Hebrews 12:17You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
- Romans 11:5It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.
- Romans 8:28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
- Romans 9:23He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.
- Ephesians 1:4Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.
- 1 Peter 1:2God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
- Isaiah 6:10Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”
Commentaries on Romans 11:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7What then? - What is the real state of the case before us? Israel - the body of the Jewish people, have not obtained that which they so earnestly desire, i.e. to be continued, as they have been hitherto, the peculiar people of God; but the election hath obtained it - as many of them as have believed in Jesus Christ, and accepted salvation through him: this is the grand scheme of the election by grace; God chooses to make those his peculiar people who…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7What then? - What is the proper conclusion from this argument? “Israel hath not obtained.” That is, the Jews as a people have not obtained what they sought. They sought the favor of God by their own merit; and as it was impossible to obtain it in that manner, they have, as a people, failed of obtaining his favor at all, and will be rejected. That which he seeketh for - To wit, salvation by their own obedience to the Law. The election hath - The purpose of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-8The others were hardened: Scripture describes this hardening as something God allows or brings about as part of his judgment. God permits people to remain unresponsive when they persist in rejecting his message. See Acts 13:46–48; 18:6.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 7-107-10. What then?--How stands the fact? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for--better, "What Israel is in search of (that is, Justification, or acceptance with God--see on Ro 9:31); this he found not; but the election (the elect remnant of Israel) found it, and the rest were hardened," or judicially given over to the "hardness of their own hearts."Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 11:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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