Romans 11:31

Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Romans 11:31 (KJV)

Context

Romans 11 is a chapter in the book of Romans where the Apostle Paul discusses the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. In this particular verse, Paul is referring to the Gentiles who have received God’s mercy through faith in Jesus Christ.

Meaning

The phrase “Even so have these also now not believed” refers to the majority of the Jewish people who rejected Jesus as their Messiah during the time of Paul’s writing. Despite being the chosen people of God and having a unique relationship with Him, many of the Jews failed to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of their long-awaited Messiah. Just as the Gentiles were once disobedient but have now received mercy through Israel’s unbelief, so Israel’s present unbelief serves a purpose: that through the mercy shown to Gentiles, they also may obtain mercy.

Biblical connections

Throughout the book of Romans, Paul emphasizes the concept of God’s mercy. He explains that all humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, are in need of God’s mercy because all have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). God’s mercy is His compassion and kindness toward undeserving sinners, offering forgiveness and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The immediate effect of Jewish unbelief was to open the way for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles; its remote effect is to secure the preaching of the gospel again to the Jews. The surrounding context reinforces that God has concluded all in unbelief so that He might have mercy upon all (Romans 11:32), showing that both Jews and Gentiles stand on the same ground of undeserved mercy.

Application

Paul states that the reason for the Gentiles’ reception of mercy is so that through the mercy shown to them, the unbelieving Jews may also obtain mercy. God’s plan is to use the salvation of the Gentiles as a means to provoke the Jews to jealousy and bring them to faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 11:11). This truth calls believers to recognize that the mercy they have received is not an end in itself; it is instrumental. Through their reception of mercy, they become channels through which God’s mercy may reach Israel. This is not a works-based salvation but a demonstration of God’s sovereign plan, where human disobedience is overruled for redemptive purposes.

Reflection

Throughout Romans 11, Paul emphasizes God’s faithfulness to His promises. Although many Jews rejected Jesus, it does not mean that God has abandoned them. God’s mercy extends to all, and His desire is for all to come to repentance and receive salvation (2 Peter 3:9). Paul affirms that God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Israel will ultimately result in their salvation (Romans 11:26-27). The verse calls believers to marvel at the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge, as His judgments are unsearchable and His ways past finding out (Romans 11:33).