A.T. Robertson Commentary Romans 11

I say then (λεγω ουν). As in verse 11. Ουν looks back to 9:16-33 and 10:19-21. Did God cast off? (μη απωσατο ο θεοσ?). An indignant negative answer is called for by μη and emphasized by μη γενοιτο (God forbid). Paul refers to the promise in the O.T. made three times: 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalms 94:14 (Psalms 93:14 LXX); Psalms 94:4. First aorist middle indicative (without augment) of απωθεω, to push away, to repel, middle, to push away from one as in Ac 7:27.

For I also (κα γαρ εγω). Proof that not all the Jews have rejected Christ. See Php 3:5 for more of Paul's pedigree.

Whom he foreknew (ον προεγνω). The same form and sense as in 8:29, which see. Probably the Hebrew sense of choice beforehand. The nation of Israel was God's chosen people and so all the individuals in it could not be cast off.

Wot ye not? (ουκ οιδατε?). "Know ye not?" Why keep the old English "wot"?

Of Elijah (εν Ελεια). "In the case of Elijah." Cf. "in the bush" .

He pleadeth (εντυγχανε). See on 8:27. Εντυγχανω means to happen on one and so to converse with (Acts 25:24), to plead for (Romans 8:27,34), to plead against as here with κατα, but the "against" is in κατα.

They have digged down (κατεσκαψαν). First aorist active indicative of κατασκαπτω, to dig under or down. Old verb, here only in N.T. (critical text). LXX has καθειλαν "pulled down." Paul has reversed the order of the LXX of 1 Kings 19:10,14,18.

Altars (θυσιαστηρια). Late word (LXX, Philo, Josephus, N.T. eccl. writers) from θυσιαζω, to sacrifice. See Ac 17:23.

And I am left alone (καγω υπελειφθην μονος). First aorist passive indicative of υπολειπω, old word, to leave under or behind, here only in N.T. Elijah's mood was that of utter dejection in his flight from Jezebel.

Life (ψυχην). It is not possible to draw a clear distinction between ψυχη (soul) and πνευμα (spirit). Ψυχη is from ψυχω, to breathe or blow, πνευμα from πνεω, to blow. Both are used for the personality and for the immortal part of man. Paul is usually dichotomous in his language, but sometimes trichotomous in a popular sense. We cannot hold Paul's terms to our modern psychological distinctions.

The answer of God (ο χρηματισμος). An old word in various senses like χρηματιζω, only here in N.T. See this use of the verb in Mt 2:12,22; Luke 2:26; Acts 10:22.

To Baal (τη Βααλ). Feminine article. In the LXX the name Βααλ is either masculine or feminine. The explanation is that the Jews put Bosheth (αισχυνη, shame) for Baal and in the LXX the feminine article occurs because αισχυνη is so, though here the LXX has the masculine τω.

Remnant (λιμμα). Old word, but only here in N.T., but in papyri also and with this spelling rather than λειμμα. From λειπω, to leave.

According to the election of grace (κατ' εκλογην χαριτος). As in 9:6-13. The election is all of God. Verse 6 explains it further.