Romans 11:2 Meaning and Explanation
“God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God has not rejected the people He knew beforehand, and Paul turns to the story of Elijah to show how God preserved a faithful remnant even in dark days.
What Does Romans 11:2 Mean?
Paul restates his answer and grounds it in God's prior knowledge of His people. He then recalls Elijah, who in a discouraged moment pleaded with God against Israel, convinced that faithfulness had vanished from the land.
The appeal to Elijah prepares the reader for a comfort the prophet himself needed to hear. When God's servants feel alone, the Lord's purposes are quietly continuing. God knows His own, and His commitment to them rests on His character rather than on their circumstances or their numbers.
Romans 11:2 in the Original Language
proginosko (προγινώσκω), 'foreknew' -- to know beforehand, conveying God's settled regard for His people in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 11:2
What does Romans 11:2 mean?
God has not rejected the people He knew beforehand, and Paul turns to the story of Elijah to show how God preserved a faithful remnant even in dark days.