Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 11:23

Albert Barnes Commentary

Romans 11:23

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Romans 11:23

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again." — Romans 11:23 (ASV)

And they also. The Jews.

If they bide not, etc. If they do not continue in wilful obstinacy and rejection of the Messiah. As their unbelief was the sole cause of their rejection, so, if that is removed, they may be again restored to the divine favour.

For God is able, etc. He has:

  1. power to restore them; to bring them back, and replace them in his favour.
  2. He has not bound himself utterly to reject them, and forever to exclude them. In this way the apostle reaches his purpose, which was to show them that God had not cast away his people, or finally rejected the Jewish nation (Romans 11:1–2). That God has this power, the apostle proceeds to show in the next verse.