Romans 11: “The Remnant, the Olive Tree, and the Mystery of Mercy”
1. “Has God Rejected His People?”
“I ask, then, has God rejected His people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.” (Rom 11:1)
Paul immediately denies that Israel’s unbelief means God has abandoned His covenant.
He points to himself as living proof — a Jew saved by grace.
St John Chrysostom explains:
“He does not say, ‘They will not be saved,’ but shows that even now some are. God’s faithfulness is not broken by man’s faithlessness.”
(Homilies on Romans XIX)
2. “God Has Not Rejected His People Whom He Foreknew”
“Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?” (v. 2)
Paul recalls Elijah’s complaint (1 Kings 19).
The prophet thought himself alone, yet God had preserved a hidden remnant.
So too now: there remains a faithful core within Israel.
St Bede:
“In every age God reserves for Himself those who do not bow to Baal; grace never leaves the earth barren.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.38)
3. “I Have Kept for Myself Seven Thousand Men”
“So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.” (v. 5)
The remnant is the faithful minority — those Jews who accepted Christ (e.g., the Apostles, the first Christians).
Their existence proves that God’s promises continue.
St Augustine explains:
“The remnant is grace within the nation; for as long as one righteous man remains, God’s mercy is present.”
(Sermon 26)
4. “If It Is by Grace, It Is No Longer on the Basis of Works”
“Otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” (v. 6)
Paul again insists that salvation is pure gift.
Grace (gratia) means unmerited favour — God’s free action, not man’s achievement.
St Ambrose:
“Grace ceases to be grace if it must be earned; wages are for labour, but salvation is for faith.”
(On the Holy Spirit III.19)
Explanation: “Grace and Works”
The Catholic Church teaches that grace and good works are not enemies but companions.
Grace comes first — enabling faith and love — and works then express that grace.
As St Augustine said: “When God crowns our merits, He crowns His own gifts.”
(Epistle 194)
5. “The Rest Were Hardened”
“As it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear.’” (v. 8)
Paul again uses the language of hardening.
This means God permits those who resist grace to follow their chosen blindness, in order that mercy may later shine more brightly.
St John Chrysostom:
“He does not make them blind who see, but leaves blind those who refuse the light.”
(Homilies on Romans XIX)
6. “Their Table Became a Snare”
“Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see.” (v. 9)
Israel’s privileges — the Law, the Temple, the promises — became stumbling blocks when approached with pride.
Religious gifts must be received in humility, or they turn against us.
St Bede:
“What should have been their nourishment became their ruin, because they sought the Law without grace.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.38)
7. “Have They Stumbled So as to Fall?”
“By no means! Through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” (v. 11)
Israel’s unbelief became the doorway for Gentile salvation.
But this, paradoxically, will provoke Israel to seek again what it has lost.
St Ambrose:
“God uses even envy for salvation; seeing grace among the nations, Israel shall thirst for what it despised.”
(On the Faith IV.9)
8. “If Their Trespass Means Riches for the World”
“How much more will their full inclusion mean!” (v. 12)
The conversion of Israel will be like resurrection for the world — a new Pentecost of faith.
This hope has inspired Christian prayer through the centuries.
St Augustine:
“The fall of the Jews enriched the world; their rising again shall complete its joy.”
(Enchiridion 110)
9. “I Magnify My Ministry”
“In order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.” (vv. 13–14)
Paul sees his mission to the Gentiles as part of God’s larger plan for Israel’s renewal.
Evangelisation is never a zero-sum game: the salvation of one group is meant to inspire the other.
St Bede:
“The light that illumines the Gentiles shall one day reflect again upon Israel.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.38)
10. “If Their Rejection Means the Reconciliation of the World”
“What will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?” (v. 15)
This verse hints at a future restoration — the eventual conversion of Israel — which the Fathers interpreted as a sign of the world’s renewal before the end.
St Ambrose:
“When Israel returns, the world shall find new life; the root shall once more bear fruit.”
(On the Faith IV.10)
11. “If the Root Is Holy, So Are the Branches”
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place…” (vv. 16–17)
Paul now gives his famous image of the olive tree.
The root is the patriarchs and the covenant.
The natural branches are Israel.
The wild branches are the Gentiles.
The Gentiles have been grafted in, sharing the same life-giving sap of grace.
St John Chrysostom:
“He speaks not of two trees but one: the Gentiles are not planted apart, but joined to Israel’s root.”
(Homilies on Romans XIX)
Explanation: “Grafting”
In horticulture, a healthy branch can be grafted into an existing tree so that it shares the same life.
Paul uses this as an image of the Church’s unity: one covenant, one people, expanded by grace.
This is the Catholic understanding of continuity between Old and New Testament — one faith growing from the same root.
12. “Do Not Be Proud, but Fear”
“Do not boast over the branches… remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.” (vv. 18–20)
Paul warns Gentile Christians against arrogance.
If natural branches were broken off for unbelief, wild branches can also be removed.
St Augustine:
“Grace humbles, pride cuts off. You stand by faith; therefore stand in humility.”
(Sermon 26)
The Church must never despise Israel; her faith depends on Israel’s promise.
13. “God Is Able to Graft Them In Again”
“If they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.” (v. 23)
This verse affirms hope: Israel’s hardness is not permanent.
Conversion remains always possible through grace.
St Bede:
“The root still lives; though many branches have fallen, the sap of grace flows on, ready to restore.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.38)
14. “A Partial Hardening Has Come upon Israel”
“Until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved.” (vv. 25–26)
This mysterious prophecy promises a future reconciliation of Israel within God’s plan.
“All Israel” may mean the corporate people of faith — Jews and Gentiles united in Christ — or the final conversion of the Jewish people at the end of time.
St Augustine offers both readings:
“Either the whole Israel of God, Jew and Gentile, shall be saved; or the carnal Israel shall at last believe before the end.”
(Enchiridion 112)
15. “The Deliverer Will Come from Zion”
“He will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (vv. 26–27)
Salvation for Israel comes the same way it comes for all — through Christ’s mercy and the forgiveness of sins.
God’s covenant is irrevocable because it rests on His fidelity, not human constancy.
St Ambrose:
“He who promised Abraham will not lie; His covenant stands firm in the mercy of Christ.”
(On the Faith IV.11)
16. “As Regards the Gospel They Are Enemies for Your Sake”
“But as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.” (v. 28)
Paul distinguishes temporal opposition from eternal love.
Israel’s unbelief serves the Gospel’s spread, but God’s love for them as a people remains unchanged.
St John Chrysostom:
“Even when they resist, He calls them beloved; for His love depends on His promise, not their virtue.”
(Homilies on Romans XX)
17. “The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable”
“For just as you were once disobedient but now have received mercy, so they too may now receive mercy.” (vv. 29–31)
This verse is central to Catholic teaching on Israel:
God’s covenant is everlasting; His promises cannot be revoked.
Human rejection delays fulfilment but never cancels divine intent.
St Bede the Venerable:
“The covenant stands though men fall; God does not repent of His mercy.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.38)
Explanation: “Irrevocable Gifts”
God’s “gifts and calling” (the covenant, the Scriptures, the Messiah) remain valid.
This underlies the Church’s respect and affection for the Jewish people (cf. CCC 839–840, Nostra Aetate §4).
God’s plan includes Israel’s final restoration within His universal mercy.
18. “God Has Consigned All Men to Disobedience”
“That He may have mercy upon all.” (v. 32)
Here is the summary of Paul’s entire theology:
God allows all to fall, that all may know His mercy.
Grace unites the humbled.
St Augustine:
“He condemned all that He might have mercy on all; He shut up pride that He might open the door to grace.”
(On the Spirit and the Letter 57)
19. “O the Depth of the Riches and Wisdom and Knowledge of God!”
“How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!” (v. 33)
Paul ends not with argument but worship.
The mystery of God’s plan exceeds all understanding.
Theology leads to doxology — praise.
St Ambrose exclaims:
“When reason falls silent, wonder begins; to know God’s mercy is to adore its depths.”
(On the Faith IV.12)
20. “For from Him and through Him and to Him Are All Things”
“To Him be glory for ever. Amen.” (v. 36)
All creation begins in God, is sustained by God, and returns to God.
This is the final vision of history: everything ordered to divine glory.
St Bede concludes:
“From Him as Creator, through Him as Redeemer, to Him as End — the circle of love is complete.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.38)
21. Theological Summary
| Theme | Explanation |
| Remnant of grace | God always preserves a faithful few within unbelief. |
| Hardening | God permits pride to serve His plan of mercy. |
| Gentile inclusion | The Church is the grafting of nations into Israel’s covenant. |
| Future restoration | Israel’s conversion remains part of God’s design. |
| Irrevocable gifts | The covenant endures because God is faithful. |
| Universal mercy | All are disobedient so that all may be shown mercy. |
22. Moral and Spiritual Application
Trust divine providence. God’s plans unfold beyond human sight.
Reject spiritual pride. Stand in humility, remembering you were grafted in by grace.
Love the Jewish people. They remain beloved of God; pray for their blessing.
Marvel at mercy. Every sin forgiven reveals God’s greater love.
End in worship. True theology always leads to praise.
23. Closing Prayer
O Lord, the God of Abraham and Father of all mercy,
You do not reject Your people, but through their fall You have brought salvation to the nations.
Keep us humble who were grafted in by grace,
and bring all Your children into the fullness of faith.
May Israel and the nations together glorify Your Name,
for from You and through You and to You are all things.
To You be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 