Romans 11:7

“What then? etc..] What can be said to the point the apostle is upon? it is as clear as the sun, out of all question, that God has not cast away all the people of the Jews, nor any whom he foreknew, any age or period of time; neither in the time Elijah, nor in the apostle's, he always having a reserve of some for himself; which reserve is owing to a previous choice of them, and that previous choice to ascribed not to any works of theirs, but to his free grace and sovereign pleasure. Indeed Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; that is, carnal Israel, the body and bulk of that people; who sought for life and righteousness by their obedience to the law, and which they in general…”

“What then?--How stands the fact? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for--better, "What Israel is in search of (that is, Justification, or acceptance with God--see on Rom 9:31); this he found not; but the election (the elect remnant of Israel) found it, and the rest were hardened," or judicially given over to the "hardness of their own hearts."”

“What then? - What is the proper conclusion from this argument? “Israel hath not obtained.” That is, the Jews as a people have not obtained what they sought. They sought the favor of God by their own merit; and as it was impossible to obtain it in that manner, they have, as a people, failed of obtaining his favor at all, and will be rejected. That which he seeketh for - To wit, salvation by their own obedience to the Law. The election hath - The purpose of choosing on the part of God has obtained, or secured, what the seeking on the part of the Jews could not secure. Or the abstract here may be put for the concrete, and the word “election” may mean the same as the elect. The elect, the…”

“What then - What is the conclusion from the whole? It is this: that Israel in general hath not obtained justification; but those of them only who believe. And the rest were blinded - By their own wilful prejudice. Romans 11:8”

“11:7-8 the hearts of the rest were hardened: This is God’s own work; God has put them into a deep sleep and shut their eyes. See Acts 13:46-48; 18:6.”

“What then: Rom 3:9, Rom 6:15; Co1 10:19; Phi 1:18 Israel: Rom 9:31, Rom 9:32, Rom 10:3; Pro 1:28; Luk 13:24; Heb 12:17 but the election: That is, the elect, the abstract being used for the concrete. So the Jews or the circumcised people, are called Israel, or the circumcision. Rom 11:5, Rom 8:28-30, Rom 9:23; Eph 1:4; Th2 2:13, Th2 2:14; Pe1 1:2 and the rest: Isa 6:10, Isa 44:18; Mat 13:14, Mat 13:15; Joh 12:40; Co2 3:14, Co2 4:4; Th2 2:10-12 blinded: or, hardened, Rom 9:18 Romans 11:8”