Romans 11:31

KJV

Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

KJV (with Strong's)

Even so {G3779} have {G544} these {G3778} also {G2532} now {G3568} not believed {G544}, that {G2443} through your {G5212} mercy {G1656} they {G846} also {G2532} may obtain mercy {G1653}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so also Isra’el has been disobedient now, so that by your showing them the same mercy that God has shown you, they too may now receive God’s mercy.

Berean Standard Bible

so they too have now disobeyed, in order that they too may now receive mercy through the mercy shown to you.

American Standard Version

even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 11:31 encapsulates a pivotal aspect of Paul's profound theological argument concerning God's intricate plan for both Israel and the Gentiles. It reveals that just as the Gentiles have received God's mercy due to Israel's temporary unbelief, so too is this mercy extended to the Gentiles intended by divine design to ultimately lead Israel to repentance and the reception of God's saving mercy. This verse highlights the interconnectedness of salvation history, demonstrating God's sovereign and compassionate pursuit of all humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 11:31 is situated within Paul's extended discourse in chapters 9-11, where he grapples with the perplexing question of Israel's present unbelief and its relationship to God's faithfulness and covenant promises. Following his explanation of Israel's partial hardening (Romans 11:7-10) and the subsequent ingrafting of the Gentiles into the olive tree (Romans 11:17-24), Paul introduces the "mystery" that a partial hardening has come upon Israel "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" [Romans 11:25](/romans/11-25 "Romans 11:25 - The Mystery of Israel's Hardening"). This verse, [Romans 11:31](/romans/11-31 "Romans 11:31 - God's Mercy for All"), serves as a reciprocal statement to [Romans 11:30](/romans/11-30 "Romans 11:30 - Gentiles Receiving Mercy"), completing a chiasm of divine mercy: Gentiles were disobedient but received mercy through Israel's disobedience; now Israel is disobedient so that they too may receive mercy through the mercy shown to Gentiles. It forms part of the concluding summary before Paul breaks into a doxology in [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33-36 "Romans 11:33-36 - Paul's Doxology").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to the church in Rome, a diverse community comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. Tensions likely existed between these groups, stemming from differing understandings of God's covenant with Israel and the surprising inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God without requiring adherence to the Mosaic Law. Jewish believers might have struggled with the apparent rejection of their people, while Gentile believers might have developed a sense of spiritual superiority, a pride Paul explicitly warns against in [Romans 11:18-22](/romans/11-18-22 "Romans 11:18-22 - Warning Against Arrogance"). Paul's argument aims to dismantle such pride and foster humility and mutual understanding, emphasizing that God's plan is ultimately for the salvation of both Jew and Gentile, orchestrated through a complex interplay of disobedience and mercy. The concept of "provoking to jealousy" [Romans 11:11](/romans/11-11 "Romans 11:11 - Provoking Israel to Jealousy") was a known strategy in ancient rhetoric and relationships, applied here to God's divine pedagogy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans 9-11 and the broader epistle. First, it underscores God's **sovereignty and faithfulness** to His covenant promises, demonstrating that even Israel's unbelief is incorporated into His larger redemptive plan. Second, it highlights the theme of **divine mercy** as the foundational principle of salvation, extended to both Jew and Gentile, not based on human merit but on God's character. Third, it speaks to the **interconnectedness of salvation history**, illustrating how the spiritual state of one group (Israel) directly impacts the other (Gentiles), and vice-versa, in God's grand design. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **humility** for all believers, reminding Gentiles that their salvation is not a cause for boasting over Israel, but a testament to God's unmerited favor, which is also ultimately destined for Israel's restoration, as seen in Paul's anticipation that "all Israel will be saved" [Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "Romans 11:26 - All Israel Will Be Saved").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **not believed (Greek, _apeithéō'_):** From G544, meaning "to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)." This word describes Israel's active and persistent rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. It implies a deliberate refusal to be persuaded, rather than a mere lack of information. This "unbelief" is not a final, irrevocable state, but a temporary condition that God sovereignly uses for a greater redemptive purpose, specifically to open the door of salvation to the Gentiles.
* **mercy (Greek, _éleos'_):** From G1656, referring to "compassion (human or divine, especially active)." This term denotes God's active, compassionate kindness and pity shown to those in need, particularly the undeserving. In the context of the Gentiles, it signifies their unmerited salvation and inclusion into God's covenant family. It is the antithesis of judgment and highlights God's gracious disposition towards humanity.
* **may obtain mercy (Greek, _eleéō'_):** From G1653, meaning "to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)." This verb form of "mercy" indicates the act of receiving or experiencing God's compassion. Here, it refers to the future hope for Israel's restoration to a state of belief and salvation, a mercy they will receive through the very same divine grace that has been extended to the Gentiles. It underscores the active nature of God's compassion in bringing about salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even so have these also now not believed":** This clause refers to the Jewish people, the "these," who, at the time of Paul's writing, largely remained in a state of unbelief regarding Jesus as their Messiah. The phrase "even so" (G3779, _hoútō_) links back to the preceding verse [Romans 11:30](/romans/11-30 "Romans 11:30 - Gentiles Receiving Mercy"), establishing a parallel. Just as Gentiles were once disobedient, Israel is now in a state of unbelief. This unbelief is not accidental but a divinely permitted, temporary hardening, as explained earlier in the chapter.
* **"that through your mercy":** This introduces the divine purpose (indicated by "that," G2443, _hína_). The "your mercy" refers to the mercy that the Gentile believers have received through faith in Christ. This mercy is not earned but freely given by God. Paul emphasizes that the Gentiles' salvation is not an end in itself, but a means within God's larger redemptive strategy.
* **"they also may obtain mercy":** This final clause reveals God's ultimate intention. The "they" refers back to "these" (the Jewish people). The mercy shown to the Gentiles is designed to provoke Israel to jealousy and lead them to seek and receive the same mercy. This implies a future spiritual awakening and restoration for Israel, fulfilling God's covenant promises, not by their merit, but by His abundant grace.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several significant literary devices in [Romans 11:31](/romans/11-31 "Romans 11:31 - God's Mercy for All"). Most notably, there is a clear use of **Antithesis** and **Parallelism**. The verse sets up a direct contrast between Israel's "not believed" and the Gentiles' "mercy," followed by a parallel structure where the Gentiles' mercy becomes the catalyst for Israel to "obtain mercy." This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, highlighting the reciprocal nature of God's redemptive plan. Furthermore, the entire argument in [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - God's Unfailing Plan for Israel") can be seen as a grand **Paradox**, where God uses human disobedience (Israel's unbelief) to extend His grace more broadly (to Gentiles), which in turn is designed to bring the original recipients of His covenant back into full fellowship. The use of "that" (hina) signifies **Teleological Language**, emphasizing the divine purpose and intentionality behind these seemingly contradictory events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 11:31 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel, even amidst their temporary unbelief, while simultaneously affirming the universal scope of His salvific mercy. It underscores that God's plan is not one of replacement theology, but of inclusion and restoration. The "mercy" extended to the Gentiles is not merely for their benefit but serves as a divine instrument to awaken Israel to their Messiah. This intricate interplay demonstrates that God's ultimate desire is to show mercy to all, orchestrating history in such a way that His grace is magnified and His faithfulness to His promises is upheld, ultimately leading to the salvation of both Jew and Gentile through Christ.

* [Romans 11:11](/romans/11-11 "Romans 11:11 - Provoking Israel to Jealousy")
* [Romans 11:25-26](/romans/11-25-26 "Romans 11:25-26 - The Mystery of Israel's Salvation")
* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justification by Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 11:31 calls believers to a profound sense of humility and wonder at the depth of God's wisdom and mercy. For Gentile believers, it serves as a powerful reminder that their salvation is not a sign of their inherent superiority, but a testament to God's unmerited favor, extended partly through the temporary hardening of Israel. This should cultivate gratitude and a rejection of any spiritual pride or anti-Semitism. For all believers, it fosters a hopeful anticipation of God's future work, particularly regarding the spiritual restoration of Israel. It also encourages a broader perspective on God's redemptive plan, recognizing that His ways are often mysterious and intricate, working through unexpected paths to accomplish His ultimate purposes. Our response should be one of worship and trust in a God who is faithful to His promises and whose mercy knows no bounds, extending to all who come to Him through faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's intricate plan for both Israel and the Gentiles impact your view of His sovereignty and faithfulness?**
* **In what ways might Gentile believers today inadvertently exhibit spiritual pride towards Jewish people, and how can this verse help correct such attitudes?**
* **How does the concept of God using "unbelief" to bring about "mercy" challenge your assumptions about divine justice and grace?**
* **What practical steps can you take to pray for and support the spiritual awakening of the Jewish people, in light of this verse?**

### FAQ
**What does "these also now not believed" refer to?**

Answer: This phrase refers to the majority of the Jewish people at the time Paul was writing, who had not accepted Jesus as their Messiah. It describes their current state of unbelief and disobedience regarding the Gospel message. However, Paul emphasizes that this is a "partial hardening" and not a complete or final rejection by God, as detailed in [Romans 11:25](/romans/11-25 "Romans 11:25 - The Mystery of Israel's Hardening").

**How did Gentiles receive mercy "through" Israel's unbelief?**

Answer: Paul explains this in [Romans 11:11-12](/romans/11-11-12 "Romans 11:11-12 - Israel's Stumbling and Gentile Salvation"). Israel's rejection of the Messiah led to the Gospel being extended to the Gentiles. Their "stumbling" became the "riches of the world," meaning that God, in His sovereign wisdom, used Israel's temporary disobedience to open the door of salvation to the nations, demonstrating His universal desire for all to come to repentance.

**What is the significance of the Gentiles' mercy leading to Israel's future mercy?**

Answer: This highlights God's strategic and interconnected plan. The mercy shown to the Gentiles is intended to "provoke to jealousy" the Jewish people [Romans 11:11](/romans/11-11 "Romans 11:11 - Provoking Israel to Jealousy"). Seeing the blessings and spiritual vitality of Gentile believers in Christ is meant to stir a desire within Israel to seek the same mercy and salvation that has been extended to the nations. It points to a future time when "all Israel will be saved" [Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "Romans 11:26 - All Israel Will Be Saved"), fulfilling God's ancient promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 11:31 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's mercy and the means by which both Jew and Gentile can "obtain mercy." Israel's temporary unbelief, though tragic, served to highlight the universal need for a Savior, paving the way for the Gospel to extend to the ends of the earth. It is through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross that God's boundless mercy is made available to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic background. He is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The "mercy" received by the Gentiles is a direct result of Christ's finished work, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace") and creating one new humanity in Himself. Furthermore, the future "mercy" for Israel will also come through their recognition of Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah, the one whom they pierced [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - Mourning for the Pierced One"), and who is now exalted as Lord and Christ [Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - Jesus is Lord and Christ"). Thus, Christ stands at the center of God's intricate plan, the source and object of all saving mercy, uniting all who believe in Him into one body, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises for both Jew and Gentile.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 10:16

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Romans 11:15

For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?

Romans 11:25

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.