God’s Plan of Salvation in Romans 11

Salvation is the very best thing. It is the will of God (Eph 1:11); according to the eternal purpose of God (Eph 3:11); and it is exclusively the work of God (Is 26:12; Acts 4:12; Phil 2:13). The Bible clearly teaches that not everyone is saved (against Universalism). It also clearly teaches that salvation does not depend on anything man does or does not do (Jn 1:13; Rom 9:16), as a work of his or her own will (against Pelagianism/Arminianism). Rather, salvation is only by grace, which is God working all things for the benefit of those He has chosen to save from sin and its eternal consequences (Rom 8:28; 11:5–6). We who believe are saved from the righteous wrath of God and saved unto eternal life (Eph 2:8–9; 1 Thess 1:10).

In the Old Testament, God revealed His salvation to the Jewish nation — blood descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (Gen 32:28). The story of ethnic Israel, as a nation, is a sad tale of unbelief and disobedience. Not believing the Word of God is the history of the Jewish nation, save for a chosen remnant of them.

Yahweh’s final revelation to the Jews was Messiah come in the flesh (Jn 1:14; Heb 1:1–2; 4:15). Religious pride exposed the hardened hearts of those who were blinded from seeing the Gospel mystery (Mt 11:25; 2 Cor 4:4). It is the devil who blinds the minds of people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, or age. Our adversary is an equal opportunity deceiver. Lucifer is a demon in God’s providential working. He is used by God, but we must remember that God Himself hardens the hearts of the reprobate (Rom 1:18–32). He turns them over in mind and body to pursue the desires of their wicked hearts (Jer 17:9). Without the grace of God, there is no repentance (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 17:30; 2 Tim 2:25).

Evil naturally resides in the human heart (Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9). There is no reforming the reprobate, who is a vessel of wrath prepared for destruction (Rom 9:22) — by Him who works all things after the counsel of His sovereign free will (Eph 1:11); and who has mercy upon whom He wills to have mercy (Rom 9:15–16).

In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul continues his argument which began in chapter nine and verse one. Why don’t the bulk of the Jewish people believe in Jesus Messiah?

Before we answer that question and by way of review, sovereign election is the key doctrine in Romans 9. Faith is the manifestation of grace; and it is the predominant theme in Romans 10. Thus, Romans 11 illustrates the process of God saving whomever He chooses and how He actually does it. It offers a summary close and then a climactic doxology.

Let us consider Paul’s illustration (my reader may benefit by reading John 15 at this juncture). The Olive Tree receives two kinds of branches, cultivated (Jews) and wild (Gentiles) branches. The Vinedresser (God the Father/Yahweh) grafts the branches into the living Vine (Christ) and those grafted-in receive life from their vital union with the root that supports them (Rom 11:18). This life is the Holy Spirit (Jn 6:63; 1 Cor 15:45); and this is life without the threat of separation (Rom 8:31–39; Heb 13:5).

Following the cross, it was the Father and Son who began sending the Spirit (Ezek 36:27; 37:14) to baptize and indwell those to whom He was sent (Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16; Jn 14:17, 26; 15:26; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Cor 12:13). The recipients of the Spirit were those the Father predestined to adoption as sons (Eph 1:4–5), who were also those redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood of the cross (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 1:19).

In God’s plan of salvation, He shows us that sinful man is an unfaithful covenant partner (Is 24:5; Jer 11:10; 31:32). Even with all the benefits given to ethnic Israel under the old covenant (Rom 9:4), they remained obdurate, obstinate, stiff-necked, prideful, etc. Simply put, Yahweh showed His chosen people their need for God to be their Savior. The only begotten Son of God came into the world to execute an eternal salvation (Mt 1:21; Jn 3:16); but the Jewish people did not receive Him, save for a remnant (Jn 1:10–13; Rom 9:6).

Romans 11 reveals the primacy of the Gentile inclusion in God’s plan for this age (Acts 10, 15; Rom 11:17–25). True worshippers will come from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9). They will be added to the company of the faithful, grafted into the root (Christ), to worship God in Spirit and in truth (Jn 4:23–24).

Yahweh has temporarily hardened the Jewish nation of people. The Apostle’s point is that this provocation of the Jews to jealousy will continue, even as the Gentiles receive mercy and grace from Yahweh in this dispensation (Rom 9:15–16). After the elect Gentile branches have been found in their place (Rom 11:25); then a mystery will be manifest for the whole world to see. God will once again put His salvific focus back onto the Jewish nation, which He has supernaturally preserved for millennia, against the world’s antisemitic hostilities.

This mystery of the national turning is a prophecy of the Apostle Paul; and it should be held with other prophecies yet to be fulfilled in the future. It is only by the Holy Spirit’s revelation to the prophets and apostles that we have received the written Word of God (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). No belief or doctrine should be added to the Holy Bible because its writings alone are inspired, inerrant, authoritative, clear, sufficient, and necessary for our understanding salvation.

God has not forsaken the Jews. Paul was an individual example of this truth. God’s plan to include the Gentiles should make us walk humbly and with much thanksgiving (Mic 6:8; 1 Thess 5:16–18). The remnant people of God, both Jew and Gentile, according to the election of grace will be saved because God is able to make grace abound toward the Gentiles (wild branches) in this age. We also believe He is able to turn the nation of Jews to Himself in the future — they being the natural branches. They will be saved in the same way as all the saints have been from the beginning of humanity.

Together, let us rejoice in so great a salvation (Heb 2:3), granted to both groups gathered by the Holy Spirit into Christ. Yahweh is our God and Savior (Is 43:3; 45:15; Lk 1:47). Jesus Messiah is our God and Savior (Titus 2:13). The Holy Spirit is our God and Savior (Titus 3:5). We have three Persons in the Triune Godhead (one God), who each perform the works necessary to execute a perfect salvation for those whom the Father chose, Christ redeemed, and the Spirit regenerated. From Him, through Him, and to Him are all things, especially the salvation in our view here (Rom 11:33); which means that all glory, honor, and praise belong to Him, alone (Rom 11:36).

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

July 18, 2025

Romans 11