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Romans 11:28

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 11:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers` sake.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers` sake.
Romans 11:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
27And this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins.
28As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers` sake.
29For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.
30For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,
31even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy.
← Romans 11:27Romans 11:29 →
← 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
“As concerning the Gospel, etc..] Whereas it might be objected to the call and conversion of the Jews, their implacable enmity to the Gospel, the apostle replies, by granting, that with respect to that, they [were] enemies to God and Christ, to the Gospel, and the ministers of it, and particularly to the apostle: for your sakes; the Gentiles, to whom it was preached, and by whom it was received, and which greatly irritated and provoked the Jews; or the sense is, that they were suffered to reject the Gospel, and treat it with hatred and virulence, that by this means it might be taken away from them, and carried to the Gentiles; so that the present enmity of the Jews to the Gospel, turned to…”
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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
“As concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes--that is, they are regarded and treated as enemies (in a state of exclusion through unbelief, from the family of God) for the benefit of you Gentiles; in the sense of Rom 11:11, Rom 11:15. but as touching, the election--of Abraham and his seed. they are beloved--even in their state of exclusion for the fathers' sakes.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As concerning the gospel - So far as the gospel is concerned; or, in order to promote its extension and spread through the earth. They are enemies - The word “enemies” here stands opposed to “beloved;” and as in one respect, to wit, on account of “election,” they were still beloved, that is, beloved by God, so in another respect they were his enemies, i. e., opposed to him, or cast off from him. The enemies of God denote all who are not his true friends; Colossians 1:21; Romans 5:10; compare Romans 11:8. The word here is applied to the Jews because they had rejected the Messiah; had become opposed to God; and were therefore rejected by him. For your sakes - For your advantage. Their…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They are now enemies - To the gospel, to God, and to themselves, which God permits. For your sake: but as for the election - That part of them who believe, they are beloved. Romans 11:29”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“are enemies: Rom 11:11, Rom 11:30; Mat 21:43; Act 13:45, Act 13:46, Act 14:2, Act 18:6; Th1 2:15, Th1 2:16 but: Rom 11:7; Isa 41:8, Isa 41:9 are beloved: Gen 26:4, Gen 28:14; Lev 26:40-42; Deu 4:31, Deu 7:7, Deu 7:8, Deu 8:18, Deu 9:5, Deu 10:15; Psa 105:8-11; Jer 31:3; Mic 7:20; Luk 1:54, Luk 1:68-75 Romans 11:29”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification