For from Him and through Him and unto Him are all things, to Him be glory forever. Amen. Truth to Learn God deserves all our praise for only He is worthy. Behind the Words There is a three-fold expression that Paul uses in the first part of this verse...
Romans 11:35 – Who’s In Charge?
"or who has first given to Him that it should be repaid to him?" Truth to Learn God does not owe you a thing, nor is He obligated to do what you want Him to do. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “has first given” is prodidōmi, which...
Romans 11:34 – The Greatest Mind
"For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has become His adviser?" Truth to Learn God is infinitely more intelligent and wise than we are; therefore, we have no reason to question his actions or plans. Behind the Words “Known” is from ginōskō, which means “to...
Romans 11:33 – Immeasurable Riches
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways intraceable! Truth to Learn God has given us a gift of immeasurable worth. Behind the Words The word translated “depth” is the Greek word bathos. This word...
Romans 11:32 – Freed Prisoners
For God confined them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Truth to Learn We were once imprisoned by sin, but God has set us free. Behind the Words The word translated “confined them all” is the Greek word sugkleiō. This word is made up of...
Romans 11:31 – Give Away the Treasure
so these also now have not believed, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. Truth to Learn We can hoard the truth and be poor, or we can give it away and enjoy spiritual riches together with all who will receive it. Meaning Explained Since...
Romans 11:30 – Believe It or Not
For as you previously did not believe in God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief, Truth to Learn We can obtain mercy from God when we believe Him. Behind the Words The grammatical construction that ties this verse with the following one is the use of the...
Romans 11:29 – Irrevocable Gifts
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Truth to Learn God’s choosing is final and unchangeable. Behind the Words “Gifts” is from charisma, which means “a gift of grace” or “an undeserved benefit.” In the New Testament it is used only of such a gift or...
Romans 11:28 – Not Your Enemies
With regard to the gospel they are enemies, but with regard to the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. Truth to Learn The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are God’s beloved people whom He will rescue one day. Behind the Words The word translated,...
Romans 11:27 – God’s Covenant
For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." Truth to Learn If God has graciously taken away your sins, you should be humbly producing fruit with thanksgiving. Behind the Words The word “covenant” is from the Greek word diathēkē, which is based on the...
Romans 11:26 – Our God, Our Deliverer
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; Truth to Learn Our God and Savior is deserving of all praise and glory. Behind the Words “Saved” is translated from sōdzō, meaning...
Romans 11:25 – The Wondrous Mystery
For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, lest you should think yourselves to be wise, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Truth to Learn God has secrets (mysteries) and He reveals them to...
Romans 11:24 – Comfort or Zeal?
For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a good olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Truth to Learn Time is running out to...
Romans 11:23 – The Returning Remnant
And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. Truth to Learn The Jews will return to faith in Jehovah and His Messiah. Behind the Words The word translated “continue” in both the previous verse...
Romans 11:22 – Goodness and Severity
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...