Romans 11:2

God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: "his people" -'Again Paul repeats that God hasn't proven faithless to his people. The real question is: "Who are the people of God?". The quoting of the Bible at this point is to settle the issue as to the identity of God's people.' (McGuiggan p. 318)

"which he foreknew" -4267. proginosko prog-in-oce'-ko; from 4253 and 1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee: -foreknow (ordain), know (before). 'God has not cast off those whom he had before purposed or designed to be his people' (Barnes p. 243).

Now did God 'foreknow' and 'predestinate' the salvation of specific individuals regardless of their own free will choice? But if this is what Paul is teaching here, how could such individuals have ever been 'broken off'? (Romans 11:20) This type of predestination is certainly not taught in this chapter, for this chapter teaches that the people of God can lose their salvation, if they cease to act like God's people (Romans 11:20-22). Rather, God foreknew the 'type' of person that would be part of 'His people', i.e. believers.

Important point to Note: God never rejects. person that meets the conditions for being 'His people', i.e. an obedient trust. But if one of His people veers off into unbelief, they have ceased to be 'His people'. (John 8:39; Romans 2:28; Revelation 3:9)

"what the Scripture saith of Elijah" -'Paul had the distressing habit of bringing people back to the Bible. That's something of. novelty now, isn't it?!' (McGuiggan p. 318)