Page 12 - October 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Read Romans 11:7-16 times in the New Testament, three times
of which it is translated “to harden.”
In this chapter we have two very impor-
tant questions. The first is, “Hath God cast In verse 7, it is probably translated “to
blind” because the quotation in verse 8
away his people?” (v1). Paul deals with brings together truth taught in several
1
this question in verses 1-10. In this section Old Testament verses: “God hath given
we see Israel’s present situation. them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they
Verses 1-6 teach that God has not totally should not see, and ears that they should
abandoned Israel as a nation. God has not hear.” This is also seen in the quota-
always had a remnant, and Paul is an ex- tion from the words of David in verses
ample of the fact that God still has a rem- 9-10, quoted from Psalm 69:22-23. Paul is
nant of those who are loyal to Him. Even stressing that as a result of Israel’s rejection
in our day there are many Jews who are of their Messiah, the nation as a whole has
genuine believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. been judicially blinded.
The NASB most closely follows the In verse 11 we have the second impor-
Greek text of verse 7: “What then? What tant question, “Have they stumbled that
Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but they should fall?” From verses 11-32, Paul
those who were chosen obtained it, and gives us teaching relative to Israel’s future
the rest were hardened.” Paul suggests restoration, and what God is doing in the
that Israel was still seeking God’s favour meanwhile. The tense used for both verbs
(present tense of the verb “to seek”), but in verse 11 gives the sense, “Have they
had failed to find it (because they sought stumbled that they should fall [irretriev-
to obtain it by law observance). However, ably]?” In other words, “Is there no future
there were individuals, whom Paul de- for Israel in God’s program?” As Darby
scribes as “the election” (JND), who found translated it in verse 1, Paul’s immediate
acceptance with God through Christ. As answer is, “Far be the thought.”
for the nation as a whole, Paul informs
us that they have been judicially blinded A different word is translated “fall” in
or hardened. The verb poroo appears five the second part of this verse, the meaning
being “transgression.” Israel’s transgres-
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV sion was the rejection of their Messiah. The
unless otherwise noted. result of this transgression was their fall.

300 TRUTH kTidings October 2025