Romans 11:1

say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For. also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

'I say then' -'I ask then' (Gspd). 'Then' introduces the question as an inference from the whole previous discussion, especially Romans 10:19-21'. (Vincent p. 119) 'Paul's critics might claim that he was teaching God's utter rejection of all Jews.' (Whiteside p. 224)

'Can Jews be converted to faith in Christ? Is Jewish evangelization. futile and impertinent enterprise..? Is the spiritual condition of Israel hopeless? To these important and searching questions of the present day, Paul here gives his inspired reply.' (Erdman p. 131)

'Cast off' -to push away, to repel (Robertson p. 392). The verb simply means to thrust or shove. (Vincent p. 119) 'Has God repudiated his people' (Gspd). Has God written all the Jews off?

'For. also am an Israelite' -'If God had been anxious just to be faithless to his promises, Paul,. persecutor of the Church as well as. Jew of the Jews, would have qualified as. rejected one.'

'Of the seed of Abraham' -'A Jew by nurture and nation, not. proselyte, nor the son of. proselyte, but. lineal descendant from Abraham.' (McGarvey p. 444)

'of the tribe of Benjamin' -'a member of the tribe which, with Judah, formed the restored nation after the exile and became the hope of the world.' (Erdman p. 131) (Ezra 4:1; Ezra 10:9) Paul was as "Jewish" as they come!

As we enter this chapter we must clearly understand the following. The only people that God 'rejects' are people who refuse to believe. (Romans 11:20 'they were broken off for their unbelief') God isn't against Jews nor is He against Gentiles, rather He is against both Jews and Gentiles who are unbelievers! (Romans 11:20-21) God only rejects those that reject Him (Romans 1:24) and as long as one continues in their unbelief, they are rejected. (Romans 1:28)

Secondly, God is NEVER UNFAITHFUL TO ANY OF HIS PROMISES! (Hebrews 6:18). God will never reject those that exercise an obedient faith in Him.