Romans 11:2
What does Romans 11:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:2 means
Paul repeats and strengthens the denial: God did not cast off the people He foreknew—those He set His covenantal love upon. To prove it, he directs readers to Scripture’s account of Elijah. Elijah, seeing Israel’s widespread apostasy, pleaded against the nation as though it were beyond hope. The point is clear: even when a prophet judged the situation as desperate, God had His own hidden work and His own people. Divine foreknowledge here speaks of God’s purposeful, relational choice. Israel’s unbelief is real, but it does not nullify God’s prior commitment to maintain a people for Himself within Israel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel:
KJV
King James Version · 1611God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949God has not put away the people of his selection. Or have you no knowledge of what is said about Elijah in the holy Writings? how he says words to God against Israel,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862God did not cast away His people whom He knew before; have ye not known--in Elijah--what the Writing saith? how he doth plead with God concerning Israel, saying,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know you not what the scripture saith of Elias, how he calleth on God against Israel?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890God has not cast away his people whom he foreknew. Know ye not what the scripture says in [the history of] Elias, how he pleads withGod against Israel?
Context
Verse 2 follows the blunt denial of verse 1 by rooting the claim in God’s eternal purpose and in biblical history. By introducing Elijah’s story, Paul prepares to show that despair over Israel’s condition is not new and is not the last word. The focus shifts from Paul’s personal example to a prophetic episode that demonstrates God’s pattern of preserving a faithful remnant. The next verses (3–4) will recount Elijah’s complaint and God’s reply, leading to Paul’s present-day application in verse 5.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto Jehovah, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
- Romans 9:6
Butit isnot as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:
- Luke 4:1
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led in the Spirit in the wilderness
- Acts 15:18
Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
- Exodus 32:1
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
- Acts 3:17
And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
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