Therefore consider the kindness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, kindness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Truth to Learn God demonstrates both His goodness and His severity! Behind the Words “Kindness” is translated from the...
Romans 11:21 – The Almighty Gardner
For if God did not spare the natural branches, Neither will He spare you. Truth to Learn God rejected the Jewish people because they refused to believe that Jesus was their Messiah. Since He was willing to do this, He is just as willing to reject Gentiles in the future...
Romans 11:20 – Faith and Fear
Well said. In unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear. Truth to Learn Salvation should not produce pride, but reverential fear. Behind the Words “Well said” is translated from the Greek word kalōs, meaning “well, justly, or aptly.” It is...
Romans 11:19 – Pride or Humility
You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." Truth to Learn When we read Scripture we need to receive God’s truth in humility, being careful not to filter it through our pride. Behind the Words The words “You will say” are from ereō,...
Romans 11:18 – No Proud Branches
do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, notice that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. Truth to Learn We should not boast about ourselves or our position, because it is God who is responsible for who and what we are. ...
Romans 11:17 – God’s Holy Fruit
And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, Truth to Learn God works contrary to the natural ways of man to produce fruit which...
Romans 11:16 – Set-apart by Him
For if the first-fruit is holy, the dough is also; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. Truth to Learn Like the believing Jews, we are set-apart by God for His use. Behind the Words The word “first-fruit” is from the Greek word aparchē, which is...
Romans 11:15 – Again, God’s Choice
For if their rejection is a reconciling of the world, what is their acceptance if not life from the dead? Truth to Learn God decides whom He will chose and whom He will reject. Behind the Words “Rejection” is a translation of the Greek word apobolē, which is made...
Romans 11:14 – It May be a Way
if somehow I may provoke those who are my flesh to jealousy and might save some of them. Truth to Learn Preaching the Gospel message may evoke an emotional response in others, and it also might provoke them to salvation. Behind the Words The word translated, “if” is the Greek...
Romans 11:13 – Service Honors
But I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am indeed an apostle of the Gentiles, I honor my ministry, Truth to Learn Service to God is a great privilege and an honor, which should humble us now and forever. Behind the Words Many translations of this verse start...
Romans 11:12 – How Rich We Are!
Now if their fall means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! Truth to Learn Because of the failure of the Jews to listen to and follow God, the offer of salvation has come to the Gentiles. Behind the...
Romans 11:11 – Share the Treasure!
I say then, did they stumble that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, salvation came to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. Truth to Learn The Jews lost their “most favored” position so we could receive it. We need to share it so that we don’t...
Romans 11:10 – Blind Disobedience
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always." Truth to Learn Whether blinded or obedient, we will all bow before Him. Behind the Words “Eyes” is translated from ophthalmos, which refers to the eyes either literally or figuratively. From this...
Romans 11:9 – Ensnared by Blessings
And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a repayment to them. Truth to Learn Blessings can become a trap if taken for granted. Behind the Words The words “let … become” are translated from a form of ginomai, meaning “to...
Romans 11:8 – Divine Stupidity
Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes to not see and ears to not hear, until this very day." Truth to Learn God is the one who enlightens or stupefies. Behind the Words The word translated “stupor” is katanuxis, which is the...
Romans 11:7 – Chosen or Hardened
What then? Israel did not obtain what it seeks; but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened. Truth to Learn God chooses some and hardens the rest. Behind the Words The word “obtain” is translated from the Greek word epitugchanō. This word is made up of...
Romans 11:6 – Grace Verses Works
And if by grace, then it is no longer from works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. Truth to Learn It is either grace or works. It can’t be both. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “grace” is a form of charis, which we looked at in yesterday’s...
Romans 11:5 – The Chosen Remnant
Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Truth to Learn We are the remnant, chosen to be God’s children, by His grace alone. Behind the Words The word translated “election” is the Greek word eklogē. This is a compound...
Romans 11:4 – Focus on Him
But what was God’s answer to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who did not bow the knee to Ba’al." Truth to Learn God wants us to keep our focus on Him, not on ourselves. Behind the Words “God’s response” is from chrēmatismos, meaning “the answer...