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Romans 11:23

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 11:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
Romans 11:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.
22Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God`s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural [branches], be grafted into their own olive tree?
25For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;
26and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
← Romans 11:22Romans 11:24 →
← Full Chapter 11 Romans Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, etc..] The apostle suggests that the Jews also might be recovered and brought into a Gospel church state, provided they did not continue in infidelity; but inasmuch as they seem to lie under invincible ignorance, obstinacy, and unbelief, and were such bitter enemies to the Gospel, and abhorrers of Gospel ordinances, and a Gospel church state; yea, that they must and will abide in unbelief, unless the Spirit of God convinces them of it, and it is given to them to believe in Christ, and they are powerfully drawn by the Father to come to the Son, there is no possibility or likelihood that they shall be grafted in, or taken into a Gospel church…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they also--"Yea, and they" if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again--This appeal to the power of God to effect the recovery of His ancient people implies the vast difficulty of it--which all who have ever labored for the conversion of the Jews are made depressingly to feel. That intelligent expositors should think that this was meant of individual Jews, reintroduced from time to time into the family of God on their believing on the Lord Jesus, is surprising; and yet those who deny the national recovery of Israel must and do so interpret the apostle. But this is to confound the two things which the apostle carefully distinguishes.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they also - The Jews. If they bide not ... - If they do not continue in willful obstinacy and rejection of the Messiah. As their unbelief was the sole cause of their rejection, so if that be removed, they may be again restored to the divine favor. For God is able ... - He has, Power to restore them, to bring them back and replace them in his favor. (2)He has not bound himself utterly to reject them, and forever to exclude them. In this way the apostle reaches his purpose, which was to show them that God had not cast away his people or finally rejected the Jewish nation; Romans 11:1-2. That God has this power, the apostle proceeds to show in the next verse. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Zac 12:10; Mat 23:39; Co2 3:16 Romans 11:24”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification