This is an inline commentary. So, my commentary is placed in the scripture... in ALL CAPS. The scripture is in bold font, since scripture is the word of God. I prayerfully suggest that you meditate on God's words... and remember that my words are not scripture. Click on non black words within the commentary to open links which provide more information.
1 I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite (GENETIC ISRAELITE or ISRAEL ACCORDING TO FLESH (KATA SARKA, 1 CORINTHIANS 10:18, SEE GENERAL OVERVIEW), Romans 9:1-31, 9:6, 9:8, 9:27, 9:31, 10:19, 10:21), a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God didn't reject his people, whom he foreknew (SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, AKA THE REMNANT). Or don't you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have broken down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life." 4 But how does God answer him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 Even so too at this present time also there is a remnant (SPIRITUAL ISRAEL) according to the election of grace (UNBELIEVING ISRAEL PURSUED RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH WORKS INSTEAD OF GRACE, ROMANS 9:31-32). 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7 What then? That which Israel (ISRAEL THE NATION) seeks for, that he (IT) didn't obtain, but the chosen ones (SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, AKA REMNANT) obtained it, and the rest (UNBELIEVING ISRAEL) were hardened. 8 According as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."
9 David says,
"Let their table be made a snare, a trap,
a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see.
Always keep their backs bent."
11 I ask then, did they (UNBELIEVING ISRAEL) stumble that they might fall? May it never be! (THEY MAY BELIEVE LATER) But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles (GENTILES BECAME CITIZENS OF SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, EPHESIANS 2:12, 13, 19. CLICK HERE AND READ SECTION TITLED, "CITIZENS OF SPIRITUAL ISRAEL", NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE), to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if their (UNBELIEVING ISRAEL) fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
13 For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh (GENENTIC, UNBELIEVING ISRAEL), and may save some of them (GENETIC UNBELIEVING ISRAEL). 15 For if the rejection of them (GENETIC UNBELIEVING ISRAEL) is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?
16 If the first fruit (BELIEVING ISRAEL) is holy, so is the lump. If the root (THE ROOT IS PROBABLY CHRIST. HERE THE BRANCHES ARE ATTACHED TO THE ROOT. IN JOHN 15:1-5 THE BRANCHES ARE ATTACHED TO JESUS, "THE VINE".) is holy, so are the branches (BELIEVING ISRAEL). 17 But if some of the branches were broken off (UNBELIEVING ISRAEL), and you (BELIEVING GENTILES), being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the root (THE ROOT IS PROBABLY CHRIST INSTEAD OF ABRAHAM, SINCE CHRIST SUPPORTS US, (11:18), AND IN CHRIST WE ARE SAVED, AS BEING SAVED IS THE CONTEXT OF THE ROOT (11:14) and of the richness of the olive tree, 18 don't boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." 20 True; by their unbelief they were broken off (BOTH BELIEVING AND UNBELIEVING ISRAEL WAS PARTY TO THE OLD COVENANT, WHICH WAS OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW TO STAY IN THE LAND, (CLICK HERE AND READ THE "GENERAL OVERVIEW"). THE OLD COVENANT WAS REPLACE BY THE NEW COVENANT (CLICK HERE AND READ FOOTNOTE 3), WHICH ONLY INCLUDES BELIEVERS, SO UNBELIEVING ISRAELITS WERE BROKEN OFF.), and you stand by your faith. Don't be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God didn't spare the natural branches (GENETIC, UNBELIEVING ISRAEL), neither will he spare you (BELIEVING GENTILES). 22 See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off (SOME THINK THIS IS LOSS OF SALVATION. "CUT OFF" COMES FROM A DIFFERENT GREEK WORD THAN "BROKEN". I BELIEVE IN ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED, SO I SEE THE CUTTING OFF AS POSSIBLY THREE THINGS:
1) DISCIPLINE. CLICK HERE AND READ THE SECTION TITLED, "THE GREAT DIVIDE" TO SEE THAT DISCIPLINE CAN BE SEVERE (FROM JOHN 15).
2) LOSS OF FELLOWSHIP THROUGH FALLING FROM GRACE (GALATIANS 5:4) BECAUSE NOT CONTINUING IN KINDNESS (ROMANS 11:22) APPEARS TO BE NOT CONTINUING IN GOD'S KINDNESS, (GRACE).
3) THE FATE OF THOSE WITH A TEMPORARY AND DEFECTIVE FAITH CALLED FAITH WITHOUT ROOT).
23 They also, if they (UNBELIEVING ISRAELITES) don't continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I don't desire you to be ignorant, brothers,
"There will come out of Zion the Deliverer,
and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob (TURN AWAY UNBELIEVING ISRAEL).
27 This is my covenant with them,
when I will take away their sins." (BELIEVING ISRAEL, WHICH, AFTER BELIEVING, GENTILES WERE GRAFTED INTO, SO BELIEVING ISRAEL INCLUDES BELIEVING GENTILES)
28 Concerning the Good News, they are enemies (UNBELIEVING ISRAEL) for your sake. But concerning the election (BELIEVING ISRAEL), they are beloved for the fathers' sake. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (BELIEVING ISRAEL IS THE CALLED, WHICH INCLUDES GRAFTED IN BELIEVING GENTILES). 30 For as you (BELIEVING GRAFTED IN GENTILES) in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient (UNBELIEVING ISRAEL), that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy. 32 For God has bound all to disobedience (POSSIBLY GOD ENCLOSED US IN OUR DISOBEDIENCE THAT WE MAY KNOW THE DEATH AND CONSEQUENCES OF IT, TO CAUSE US TO SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LIFE), that he might have mercy on all.
33 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35 "Or who has first given to him,
and it will be repaid to him again?"
36 For of him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.