Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 11:14

"if by any means I may provoke to jealousy [them that are] my flesh, and may save some of them." — Romans 11:14 (ASV)

If by any means. If even by stating unpleasant truths, if by bringing out all the counsel of God—even that which threatens their destruction—I may arrest their attention and save them.

I may provoke to emulation. I may awaken them to zeal, or to an earnest desire to obtain the same blessings. This was in accordance with the prediction of Moses that the calling of the Gentiles would excite their attention and provoke them to deep feeling (see the comments on Romans 10:19).

The apostle expected to do this by calling their attention to the ancient prophecies, by alarming their fears about their own danger, and by showing them the great privileges that Gentiles might enjoy under the gospel. In this way, he appealed to them by every principle of benevolence and by all their regard for God and humanity, to excite them to seek the same blessings.

My flesh. My countrymen. My kinsmen. Those belonging to the same family or nation (Romans 9:3; Genesis 29:14; Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1; Isaiah 58:7).

And save some of them. The apostle often expressed this desire (Romans 10:1–2). We may see here:

1. That it is the earnest wish of the ministry to save the souls of men.

2. That they should urge every argument and appeal with reference to this.

3. That even the most awe-inspiring and humbling truths may have this tendency. No truth could be more likely to irritate and offend than that the Jews would be cast off; yet the apostle used this truth so faithfully, and still so tenderly, that he expected and desired it might be the means of saving the souls of his countrymen.

   Truth often irritates, enrages, and thus excites attention. Thought or inquiry, however it may be excited, can result in conversion. And so, even restlessness, vexation, and anger may be the means of leading a sinner to Jesus Christ. It should be no part of a minister's object, however, to produce anger.

   It is a bad emotion; in itself it is evil, and if people can be won to embrace the Savior without anger, it is better. No wise person would excite a storm and tempest that might require infinite power to subdue when the same object could be gained with comparative peace and under the mild influence of love.

4. It is right to use all the means in our power, not absolutely wicked, to save people. Paul was full of strategies, and much of the success of the ministry will depend on a wise use of plans that may, by the Divine blessing, arrest and save the souls of people.