Meaning of Romans 11:7

This verse from Romans 11:7 explains a crucial aspect of God's dealings with Israel concerning salvation, distinguishing between those who sought righteousness through their own efforts and those who were chosen by God. Paul is addressing the question of why, if Israel is God's chosen people, so many of them did not receive the Messiah, Jesus. He asserts that their earnest pursuit of righteousness, often through adherence to the Law, did not lead to the attainment of salvation because they were looking for it in the wrong way, failing to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy. However, a remnant, the "elect," did embrace Jesus and thus obtained salvation, while the majority, through a hardening process, remained resistant.

Context and Background

Paul's argument in Romans 11 is a profound exploration of God's faithfulness to Israel, even in light of their rejection of Jesus. He has just established in the preceding verses (Romans 11:1-6) that God has not cast away His people, citing his own example as an Israelite and a remnant who have believed. He further uses the analogy of Elijah’s complaint to show that even in Israel’s history, there were times when only a remnant remained faithful. This verse, therefore, serves as a pivotal point in Paul's explanation, detailing the specific outcome of Israel's seeking of righteousness in the context of the Gospel. The "seeking" refers to Israel's intense effort to be righteous before God, primarily through the Mosaic Law, which, while good, could not provide the ultimate righteousness found in Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

• Sovereign Election: The concept of the "elect" highlights God's sovereign choice in salvation. Not all who identify with Israel, or who earnestly strive for righteousness, are necessarily the recipients of God's salvific grace. Election is a divine act, not solely a human achievement.
• The Inadequacy of Law for Salvation: The verse implies that seeking righteousness through the Law, as the primary means of attaining it, was insufficient for salvation. The Law reveals sin and points to a need for a savior, but it cannot provide the righteousness that pleases God.
• Hardening as Divine Judgment: The "hardening" of the others is presented not as a random act but as a consequence of their persistent rejection of God's revealed truth in Jesus Christ. This hardening is a form of divine judgment, allowing them to continue in their chosen path of disbelief.
• The Remnant Principle: The distinction between the elect and the hardened reinforces the biblical principle of a faithful remnant, a theme recurring throughout Israel's history, from Abraham to the exilic prophets.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse carries significant spiritual implications for believers today. It underscores that salvation is a gift received by faith in Jesus Christ, not an earned reward for religious effort or adherence to external laws. For those who have come to faith, it is a reminder of God's gracious election and the importance of humility, recognizing that our salvation is entirely due to His initiative. For those who struggle with pride in their religious achievements, it serves as a caution against self-righteousness. It also prompts reflection on the nature of God's justice and mercy, acknowledging that persistent rejection of His truth can lead to spiritual blindness.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Romans 11:7 fits within the larger narrative of God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His unfolding plan of salvation for humanity. It echoes the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of a future Messiah who would be rejected by many but accepted by a faithful remnant. For instance, Isaiah 53 describes the suffering servant who would be despised and rejected by His own people, yet whose sacrifice would bring salvation. Furthermore, this verse anticipates the inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom, a concept Paul meticulously unpacks in Romans, demonstrating that God's plan is not limited to ethnic Israel but extends to all who believe.

Analogies

• A Physician and a Cure: Imagine a city where many people are suffering from a deadly plague. A skilled physician arrives with a potent cure, but many, distrusting the physician or clinging to traditional, ineffective remedies, refuse the cure. The physician offers the cure to all, but only those who accept it are healed. The physician's "hardening" of those who refuse is their own choice, but it results in their continued affliction.
• A Treasure Hunt: A treasure is buried, and a map is provided that clearly points to its location. Many people earnestly search for the treasure, digging in various places based on their own interpretations or old legends, but they never find it. However, a few, trusting the map and following its precise directions, discover the treasure. The others were not prevented from searching, but their methods were flawed and ultimately fruitless.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 1:10-11: "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, he did not recognize him. He came to his own creation, but his own people did not receive him." This directly mirrors the situation described in Romans 11:7, where Jesus came to Israel, but many did not receive Him.
• Isaiah 6:9-10: "He said, 'Go and tell this people: “'‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the hearts of these people dull, their ears heavy, and their eyes blind, lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”'" This Old Testament passage foreshadows the hardening mentioned by Paul, indicating it is a fulfillment of prophecy concerning Israel's persistent unbelief.
• Romans 9:16: "So then it does not depend on the one who wants or the one who runs, but on God who has mercy." This verse, preceding Romans 11:7 in Paul's argument, sets the theological stage by emphasizing God's sovereign mercy in election, which directly informs the distinction Paul makes between the elect and the hardened in verse 7.
• 1 Corinthians 1:23-24: "but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and a foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." This highlights the divisive nature of the Gospel message, which is a stumbling block to some and salvation to others, aligning with the outcome described in Romans 11:7.