New Testament
Romans 11:7
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
What then? Israel did not obtain what it was seeking, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
Compare translations
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
What Romans 11:7 means
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.
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
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from John the Apostle's story: Mending Their Nets (Mark 1:19–20)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
John the Apostle
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Romans 11:7
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Romans 11:7
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Romans
- Author
- Paul the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 57
- Genre
- Letter (epistle)
- Original Audience
- Christians in Rome
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.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.