Romans 11:7 Meaning and Explanation
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel as a whole did not gain the righteousness it pursued, but the chosen remnant did, while the rest were hardened.
What Does Romans 11:7 Mean?
Paul summarizes the situation. The nation sought after righteousness yet did not lay hold of it in the way it expected, while those whom God chose obtained the very thing being sought. The remainder were blinded, unable to see what was before them.
The verse holds together divine purpose and human responsibility without dissolving either. Those who received did so by grace; those who missed it had turned from the light. The sober note about blindness is not God's last word in this chapter, for Paul is moving toward mercy.
Romans 11:7 in the Original Language
poroo (πωρόω), 'were blinded' -- to harden or make callous, as a stone forms over what was once soft.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 11:7
What does Romans 11:7 mean?
Israel as a whole did not gain the righteousness it pursued, but the chosen remnant did, while the rest were hardened.