Romans 11:28
What does Romans 11:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:28 means
Paul holds a tension: regarding the gospel, many Jews are currently “enemies” for the Gentiles’ sake—their rejection opened the door wider to the nations. Yet regarding election, they remain “beloved” because of the fathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their present opposition does not erase God’s covenant affection rooted in His promises to the patriarchs. This balanced view curbs both anti-Jewish hostility and naive presumption. It affirms God’s sovereign use of even opposition for wider mercy, while insisting that His covenant love still embraces the people He chose through their forefathers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As far as the good news is in question, they are cut off from God on account of you, but as far as the selection is in question, they are loved on account of the fathers.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862As regards, indeed, the good tidings, <FI>they are<Fi> enemies on your account; and as regards the choice--beloved on account of the fathers;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As concerning the gospel, indeed, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are most dear for the sake of the fathers.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890As regards the glad tidings, [they are] enemies on your account; but as regards election, beloved on account of the fathers.
Context
After promising future salvation (verses 26–27), verse 28 explains Israel’s current twofold standing. It sets up verse 29’s rationale—God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable—anchoring the hope for Israel’s restoration in God’s character. The flow keeps readers from simplistic judgments and prepares for the summary of mercy’s pattern in verses 30–32.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15
who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men;
- Micah 7:20
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the lovingkindness to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
- Leviticus 26:40
And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against me, and also that, because they walked contrary unto me,
- Deuteronomy 10:15
Only Jehovah had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all peoples, as at this day.
- Romans 11:7
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
- Deuteronomy 8:18
But thou shalt remember Jehovah thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as at this day.
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