New Testament
Romans 11:7
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Paul addresses the situation of Israel in relation to God's plan.
- Author
- Paul the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 57
- Genre
- Letter (epistle)
- Original Audience
- Christians in Rome
What then? Israel did not obtain what it was seeking, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Paul addresses the situation of Israel in relation to God's plan. He points out that while Israel as a whole sought righteousness and a relationship with God, they did not achieve it. However, a specific group, referred to as 'the chosen ones' or 'the elect,' did find what they were looking for. This indicates that God's grace is selective; some people respond positively to His call, while others remain hardened or blinded to the truth. This hardening is not a permanent state but reflects a divine purpose in the unfolding of salvation history. The verse highlights the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, showing that while God has chosen some, others have rejected Him, leading to spiritual blindness. This serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and openness to God's revelation, as well as the consequences of rejecting His truth. Explore related discernment.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Romans 11:7 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own spiritual openness. Are we actively seeking God and His truth, or are we allowing our hearts to become hardened? It reminds us to remain humble and receptive to God's guidance, recognizing that His grace is available to all who seek Him sincerely.
Curated for this public verse page. Romans Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Romans 11:7 mean?
Romans 11:7 explains that while Israel sought a relationship with God, they did not achieve it as a whole. Instead, a specific group known as 'the chosen ones' found what they were looking for, highlighting the selective nature of God's grace.
What is the meaning of 'the chosen ones' in Romans 11:7?
In Romans 11:7, 'the chosen ones' refers to those individuals within Israel who responded positively to God's call and received His grace, contrasting with those who remained hardened or blinded to the truth.
How does Romans 11:7 relate to spiritual blindness?
Romans 11:7 highlights that some people, referred to as 'the rest,' were hardened or blinded, indicating that their inability to see the truth is part of a larger divine purpose in salvation history.
What can we learn from Romans 11:7?
Romans 11:7 teaches the importance of being open to God's truth and grace. It encourages self-reflection on our spiritual state and the need to actively seek a relationship with God to avoid hardening our hearts.
The Book of Romans
Romans 1: Paul's Greeting and the Wrath of God Against Ungodliness
Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and separated to preach the gospel of God. He says this gospel concerns God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. Paul explains that through Christ he receives grace and apostleship to bring about obedience of faith among all nations. He addresses the believers in Rome as those loved by God and called to be saints, and he gives thanks for their faith, which is spoken of throughout the whole world. He tells them he prays continually to visit them and longs to see them so he may share a spiritual gift and be comforted together with them by mutual faith.
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