Romans 10:13-11:12

13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Joel 2:32 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

15And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Isaiah 52:7 16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Isaiah 53:1 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:4

19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” Deut. 32:21

20And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” Isaiah 65:1 21But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Isaiah 65:2

The Remnant of Israel 1I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3“Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me” 1 Kings 19:10,14 ? 4And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 1 Kings 19:18 5So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

6And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. 7What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,

8as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” Deut. 29:4; Isaiah 29:10

9And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.

10May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” Psalm 69:22,23

Ingrafted Branches 11Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

12But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!