King James Version

What Does Romans 11:2 Mean?

Romans 11:2 in the King James Version says “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh interce... — study this verse from Romans chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

God 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, of Elias: Gr. in Elias?

Romans 11:2 · KJV


Context

1

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid . For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2

God 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, of Elias: Gr. in Elias?

3

Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew—the verb proegnō (προέγνω, "foreknew") denotes God's electing love from before creation, not mere prescience. This foreknowledge grounds Israel's security in God's eternal decree, not their performance. Paul then appeals to Scripture (1 Kings 19:10-14), citing Elijah's intercession against Israel (kata τοῦ Ἰσραήλ). The Greek preposition kata can mean "against," showing Elijah's despair had turned into accusation.

The rhetorical question ouk oidate (οὐκ οἴδατε, Wot ye not) assumes the Roman believers know the Elijah narrative but haven't applied it correctly. Elijah's isolation felt total—he believed he alone remained faithful. Paul will show (v. 4) that God's perspective differed radically from the prophet's. This pattern of a faithful remnant amid national apostasy becomes paradigmatic for understanding first-century Israel.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Elijah's crisis occurred during Ahab's reign (870s BC) when Baal worship dominated Israel under Jezebel's influence. The prophet's depression after Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19) led him to believe the entire nation had apostatized. Paul uses this historical precedent to interpret his own era.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the significance of God's 'foreknowledge' being the basis for His covenant faithfulness rather than Israel's merit?
  2. How does Elijah's misperception of Israel's spiritual state mirror potential misunderstandings about first-century Judaism?
  3. When have you felt like Elijah—isolated in faithfulness—and what does God's preservation of a remnant teach you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
οὐκ1 of 26

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀπώσατο2 of 26

cast away

G683

to push off, figuratively, to reject

3 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ4 of 26

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τὸν5 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαὸν6 of 26

people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

αὐτοῦ7 of 26
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὃν8 of 26

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

προέγνω9 of 26

he foreknew

G4267

to know beforehand, i.e., foresee

10 of 26
G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

οὐκ11 of 26

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οἴδατε12 of 26

Wot ye

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἐν13 of 26

of

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Ἠλίᾳ14 of 26

Elias

G2243

helias (i.e., elijah), an israelite

τί15 of 26

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

λέγων,16 of 26

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

17 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γραφή18 of 26

the scripture

G1124

a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)

ὡς19 of 26

how

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐντυγχάνει20 of 26

he maketh intercession

G1793

to chance upon, i.e., (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against)

τῷ21 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ22 of 26

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

κατὰ23 of 26

against

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τοῦ24 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰσραήλ25 of 26

Israel

G2474

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

λέγων,26 of 26

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 11:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 11:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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