Romans 11:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He comforts them not only by this, but also by what has already happened. Yet he sets what happened later as though it had happened earlier, saying: "As regards the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake; but as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of the fathers."

So that the Gentile might not be proud and say, "See, I am before you. Speak to me not of what may happen, but of what has already happened," the Apostle restrains him by saying: "As regards the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake."

Because you were called, they became more obstinate. Yet even then God did not cut off your calling, but waits until all who are to believe from among the Gentiles come in. Then the Jews also will come.

Since, he says, you submitted to the Gospel and were received by God, they became more stubborn, drew back further, and became enemies. But since their forefathers were chosen by God from the beginning, God will not allow them to perish completely. For they are beloved, and He will receive them if they believe.

So far as the evangelical preaching is concerned, they became enemies, for they fell through impiety toward Christ. Yet because of the nobility of the fathers, who were honored as holy and beloved of God, they may be considered beloved on their account. Nevertheless, they became enemies so that this might be set before unbelievers to provoke emulation.

According to the Gospel they are enemies, for they crucified the Lord. But according to election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

Although the Jews sinned grievously by rejecting the gift of God and are worthy of perdition, yet, being sons of good fathers whose many merits they received from God, they will be received again with joy when they return to faith. For God’s love for them is awakened by the memory of their fathers.

When I look at you, to whom I have been entrusted to impart the teaching, says the Apostle, then I recognize them as enemies and hostile, doing everything to your harm. But when I turn my gaze to their forefathers and consider that God chose them from the whole universe, then for the sake of the forefathers I love them too.

“As regards the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake.” The Apostle means that if the Jews have now become enemies of God because of their unbelief in the Gospel, and their blindness has served for the salvation of the Gentiles, nevertheless in their fathers they remain a beloved and chosen people. The promises given to them must be fulfilled, and these promises consisted in this: all Israel will be saved. Having revealed the mystery of Israel’s future conversion, the Apostle could add that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. Therefore what was once promised will be fulfilled, and the calling and election of the people once made will not be changed.

Concluding his discourse on the relation of the rejected Jews to the Gentiles who believed, the holy Apostle Paul says: "As regards the gospel," that is, for your benefit, they became enemies of God and gave you entrance into the Church. "But as regards election," that is, if one considers their election by God, which cannot be annulled, "they are beloved for the sake of the fathers." God grieves over their blindness and awaits only their conversion, that He may have mercy on them.

Besides the possibility that the Jews may turn to Christ, the Apostle foresees and positively declares, as a mystery revealed by God, that the Jews will turn to Christ. Yet this will happen only when the predetermined number of Christians from among the Gentiles has been fulfilled.

Then the salvation of Israel foretold by the prophets will be accomplished in all fullness. The election of the Jews as the beloved people was not in vain, and the word of the Lord is faithful, with its promise of great and saving gifts to them.

From all that has been said, it follows that if one looks at the Jews in relation to the Gospel, they are enemies. Whose enemies? God's, just as immediately afterward they are also called beloved of God.

Insofar as they oppose the Gospel and are hostile both to the preachers of the good tidings and to believers, they oppose God's arrangements. To that extent God does not favor them. He rejected them, did not spare them, and cut them off from the olive tree as useless branches.

This was for your sake, O Gentiles, so that you might enter the enclosure of faith and be saved. So it will remain until you all enter. By this the Apostle suggests to the Gentiles: see how graciously God has looked upon you.