Romans 11:28

As concerning, &c. This ver. and the next form a small detached paragraph: so do Romans 11:30-32. In both these paragraphs St Paul adds to his main argument and statement a few closing confirmations. The phraseology of this verse is very brief in the Gr.; As to the Gospel indeed, enemies because of yon; but as to the election, beloved because of the fathers.

concerning the gospel The verse may be paraphrased; "With a view to the spread of the Gospel, which is the message of salvation for everybeliever, Jew or Gentile, (Romans 1:16,) it pleased God in His sovereign plan to reject the great majority of the Jews in order to open His kingdom wide to you. But with a view to the believing element, the elect Jews of every age, including the great multitude to be called to grace hereafter, the Jews are still dear to Him; for His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is sovereign and unchangeable."

enemies. See on ch. Romans 5:10. The meaning here is that the Lord was (judicially) hostile to them;viewed them as hostile, "counted them His enemies in the sense of rejecting them from actual participation in His Gospel. Unbelief cut them off, and was their ownsin; but it was judicially and sovereignlypermitted to have its way. But meantime, in another aspect, they were still "beloved;" still included in a plan of mercy.

the election The word "election" may mean either the act of choice, or the chosen persons. Here it is probably the latter. The word is with the definite article, as in Romans 11:7. The reference is to the whole number of Jews who had obtained, or should obtain, salvation by faith; whether gathered in one by one, as now, or in multitudes, as hereafter. "With a view to" these, the Jewish people is still, most emphatically, within the purposes of Divine Love.

for the fathers" sakes See Deuteronomy 7:8; Deuteronomy 9:5; Deuteronomy 10:15.