John Calvin Commentary Romans 11:19

"Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in." — Romans 11:19 (ASV)

You will then say, etc. In the person of the Gentiles, he brings forward what they might have pleaded for themselves. However, that was of such a nature that it ought not to have filled them with pride but, on the contrary, to have made them humble.

For if the cutting off of the Jews was through unbelief, and if the grafting of the Gentiles was by faith, what was their duty but to acknowledge the favor of God and also to cherish modesty and humility of mind?

For it is the nature of faith, and what properly belongs to it, to generate humility and fear. But by fear, understand that which is in no way inconsistent with the assurance of faith; for Paul would not have our faith vacillate or alternate with doubt, much less would he have us be frightened or quake with fear.

Of what kind then is this fear? As the Lord directs us to consider two things, two kinds of feeling must consequently be produced. For he would have us always bear in mind the miserable condition of our nature; and this can produce nothing but dread, weariness, anxiety, and despair. It is indeed beneficial that we should thus be thoroughly laid prostrate and broken down, so that we may eventually groan to him. But this dread, derived from the knowledge of ourselves, does not keep our minds from continuing calm while relying on his goodness; this weariness does not hinder us from enjoying full consolation in him; this anxiety, this despair, do not prevent us from obtaining in him real joy and hope.

Therefore, the fear of which he speaks is set up as an antidote to proud contempt. For as everyone claims for himself more than what is right, and becomes too secure and eventually insolent towards others, we ought then to fear in such a way that our heart may not swell with pride and exalt itself.

But it seems that he introduces a doubt as to salvation, since he reminds them to beware that they also might not be spared.

To this I answer: as this exhortation refers to the subduing of the flesh, which is always insolent even in the children of God, he in no way diminishes the certainty of faith.

We must especially notice and remember what I have said before: Paul’s address is not so much to individuals as to the whole body of the Gentiles, among whom there might have been many who were vainly inflated, professing rather than having faith. On account of these, Paul threatens the Gentiles, not without reason, with excision, as we will find again later.