Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Romans 11:2

Romans 11:2. His people whom he foreknew. Here, too, the reference is to the nation, and not to the spiritual remnant, the elect. If the latter part of the chapter were wanting, this might be the sense. The phrase ‘which He foreknew' need not be taken in its individual reference, as in chap. Romans 8:36, where a plural pronoun is joined with the verb. To limit it to those elected is not only contrary to the sweep of the argument, but to the historical position of the theocratic nation: a foreknowledge resulting in such theocratic privilege is as consistent with the tenor of Scripture as the more individual reference.

Or know ye not. ‘Or' introduces a new answer to the question (comp. chaps. Romans 6:3; Romans 9:21), namely, the historical case from the Scripture.

In the story of Elijah; lit, in Elijah ;' comp. Mark 12:26: ‘at the Bush,' the passage treating of that occurrence. ‘Of Elias' (E. V.) is inaccurate. This method of reference is common in Philo and in Rabbinical authors; some instances occur in the classics. The occasion was after the fast of the prophet at Horeb (1 Kings 19).

How he pleadeth with God against Israel . This is the object of ‘do ye not know,' ‘Pleading against' is equivalent to complaining of. ‘Saying' is an unnecessary addition, supported by few authorities.

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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Romans 11:2

Old Testament

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