Is Israel still God's chosen people?

Romans 11:1-6

¹ I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

² God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel:

³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”?

⁴ And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

⁵ So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

⁶ And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

New International Version (NIV)

The answer

Yes—God has not rejected Israel, and His calling of Israel remains. But being chosen as a people is not the same as every individual being saved: Jews and Gentiles alike receive salvation only through faith in Jesus Christ.

God has not cast Israel off

Paul asks, “did God reject his people?” and answers, “May it never be!” He then states plainly, “God didn’t reject his people, whom he foreknew” (Romans 11:1-2). Even in widespread unbelief, God preserves “a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5).

Israel’s election began in God’s sovereign love, not in Israel’s greatness or merit: “Yahweh your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). Jeremiah ties Israel’s continuance before God to the fixed order of sun, moon and stars, and says that only if heaven can be measured and earth’s foundations searched out would He cast off all Israel’s offspring (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

That faithfulness still governs Paul’s argument. Concerning election, Israel remains beloved for the patriarchs’ sake, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:28-29). The existence of the church therefore does not mean that God has simply discarded Israel.

National election is not automatic personal salvation

Paul also warns, “they are not all Israel that are of Israel,” and distinguishes physical descent from being children of the promise (Romans 9:6-8). He prays for Israel’s salvation and declares that Christ brings righteousness “to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:1-4).

Some natural branches were broken off through unbelief, while those who do not continue in unbelief can be grafted in again (Romans 11:20-23). There are not two ways of salvation—one for Israel and another for the nations. “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).

Gentile believers are grafted in, not given grounds for boasting

Gentile believers are wild branches grafted into the olive tree and made partakers of its richness; they do not support the root, but the root supports them (Romans 11:17-18). Through His blood and cross, Christ has made Jewish and Gentile believers one, reconciling both in one body and making them fellow citizens and members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:14-19). Peter consequently calls believers a chosen race, a holy nation and God’s own people (1 Peter 2:9-10).

What about “all Israel will be saved”?

Paul teaches that Israel’s hardening is partial, lasting “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” and then writes, “and so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-26). The main readings are:

• Reading — Meaning
• A future turning of ethnic Israel — Common in dispensational and premillennial interpretation, and held beyond those traditions: a great future turning of Jewish people to Christ, without requiring that every individual Israelite be saved.
• The complete elect people, Jew and Gentile — Held by many Reformed and other interpreters: the full Israel of God’s saving purpose is gathered in Christ as both Jewish and Gentile believers complete the olive tree.

These readings differ over how the promise unfolds, not over whether Christ is Israel’s and the world’s only Saviour. Paul’s warning against Gentile conceit also rules out contempt for Jewish people: the proper response is humility, gratitude for mercy, and prayer that many more Jewish people will receive their Messiah (Romans 11:18-23; Romans 10:1).

Answered from Scripture · reviewed November 11, 2026

Scripture gives an emphatic and unambiguous answer to whether God has cast off Israel: He has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Across the Old and New Testaments, God's election rests on His unchanging character and unilateral covenant promises rather than human merit, ensuring both a preserved remnant today and a glorious national turning in the future.

The Election of Grace

A Faithful Remnant Remains Preserved

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

Romans 11:5 (NIV)

Paul reveals that Elijah's historical preservation mirrors the present era, where a Jewish remnant continues by grace alone.

In Romans 11:5, Paul draws a decisive line from Israel's past into the present: So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. When national apostasy seems total, God's sovereign preservation ensures that His people are never completely wiped out. Paul reaches back to the dark days of Ahab, recalling how the prophet Elijah despaired in 1 Kings 19:10, crying out that Israel had forsaken the covenant and that he alone was left alive. God shattered the prophet's loneliness by revealing that I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18; Romans 11:3-4).

Paul emphasizes that this historical parallel defines the current church age. If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace (Romans 11:6). The Jewish believers who embraced Jesus as the Messiah in the first century, alongside every Jewish believer since, demonstrate that the Lord always maintains a holy seed.

The minor and major prophets consistently proclaimed this doctrine of the remnant. Amos 9:8-9 warned that while sinful kingdoms face utter destruction, the house of Jacob will be sifted among the nations without a single true pebble falling to the ground. Isaiah 10:20-22 announced that though Israel's people were as numerous as the sand of the sea, a remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.

This preservation is the fruit of divine mercy rather than human faithfulness. Micah 7:18-20 celebrates the God who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage, remembering His ancient oath to Abraham. Likewise, Zephaniah 3:12-13 foretells a purified people: God leaves in the midst of Israel a humble and lowly people who take refuge in the name of the Lord.

The passages

Passage	What it says
1 Kings 19:10	Elijah laments that Israel has abandoned the covenant and that he alone is left.
1 Kings 19:18	God reveals to Elijah seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.
Romans 11:3-4	Paul quotes Elijah's despair and God's answer regarding the seven thousand faithful men.
Romans 11:5	Paul establishes that at the present time a remnant according to grace persists.
Romans 11:6	Paul explains that the election of the remnant rests on unmerited grace rather than works.
Amos 9:8-9	The Lord declares He will shake Israel among nations without utterly destroying Jacob.
Isaiah 10:20-22	Isaiah prophesies that a remnant of Jacob will return and trust faithfully in the Lord.
Micah 7:18-20	God retains mercy for the remnant and pardons the transgression of Jacob.
Zephaniah 3:12-13	The Lord leaves in Israel a humble, trusting remnant who do no injustice.

The Irrevocable Promise

The Calling of God Stands Forever

for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29 (NIV)

This verse states the foundational axiom that God's covenant gifts and election are irrevocable.

In Romans 11:29, Scripture establishes an absolute theological axiom regarding national Israel: For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. God does not reconsider His oaths, nor does He retract His electing love. Paul explains that while the elect within Israel obtained salvation, the rest experienced a judicial hardening (Romans 11:7). Yet this stumbling was neither accidental nor terminal. Through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous (Romans 11:11-12). The temporary setting aside of the nation serves God's global harvest.

Paul warns Gentile believers against arrogance by unveiling a divine mystery: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25). This hardening has a predetermined end. In Romans 11:26, Paul declares that and in this way all Israel will be saved, citing the prophecy that the Deliverer will come from Zion to remove ungodliness from Jacob. While national Israel may currently oppose the gospel, Paul insists that as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers (Romans 11:28).

This future national restoration is rooted in the covenants of Genesis. When the Lord called Abram in Genesis 12:1-3, He promised to bless his line and make him a blessing to all families of the earth. In Genesis 17:7, God ratified this as an everlasting covenant between Himself and Abraham's physical seed for generations to come.

The prophets vividly describe this climactic corporate reconciliation. Zechariah 12:10 reveals the final catalyst: the Lord will pour out on the house of David a spirit of grace and supplication, so that they will look on me, on him whom they have pierced, mourning for Him with deep repentance as an only child is mourned.

The passages

Passage	What it says
Romans 11:7	Paul states the elect within Israel obtained righteousness while the rest were hardened.
Romans 11:11-12	Paul shows Israel's stumbling brought salvation to Gentiles to move Israel to jealousy.
Romans 11:25	Paul explains partial hardening has happened to Israel until the Gentile fullness enters.
Romans 11:26	Paul announces all Israel will be saved when the Deliverer banishes ungodliness.
Romans 11:28	Paul affirms that regarding the election, Jewish people are beloved for the fathers' sake.
Romans 11:29	Paul declares the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.
Genesis 17:7	God establishes an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his offspring through their generations.
Genesis 12:1-3	The original Abrahamic promise blessing Abraham's lineage and all families of the earth.
Zechariah 12:10	A spirit of grace is poured on David's house as they look upon Him whom they pierced.

Children of Promise

True Israel Defined by Promise and Faith in Christ

It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

Romans 9:6 (NIV)

It explains that God's word has not failed though physical lineage differs from spiritual faith.

In Romans 9:6, Paul addresses the tension between divine promises and widespread Jewish unbelief: It is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel. Mere physical descent has never guaranteed personal salvation. Paul begins in Romans 9:1-5 by cataloging the peerless privileges entrusted to ethnic Israel—the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, the promises, the patriarchs, and the human lineage of Christ who is God over all. Yet outward possession of these gifts is distinct from saving faith.

Scripture makes a crucial distinction between physical ancestry and spiritual inheritance. Paul explains that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring (Romans 9:7-8). This principle was present from the beginning: Isaac, not Ishmael, was the son of promise; Jacob, not Esau, was chosen. The inner work of regeneration has always been necessary, as Paul argued in Romans 2:28-29: no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly... but a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit.

Through union with Jesus Christ, the true seed of Abraham, Gentile believers are brought into this covenant blessings without displacing God's promises to ethnic Israel. In Galatians 3:28-29, Paul writes that there is neither Jew nor Greek in Christ, and if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. In Galatians 6:16, Paul pronounces peace and mercy upon all who walk by the rule of the new creation, even upon the Israel of God. The covenant people of God thus find their ultimate unity in Jesus, while God's faithfulness to physical Israel remains intact.

The passages

Passage	What it says
Romans 9:1-5	To ethnic Israel belong the adoption, the covenants, the promises, and the lineage of Christ.
Romans 9:6-8	Not all who descend from Israel belong to spiritual Israel, the children of promise.
Romans 2:28-29	True inward circumcision is of the heart by the Spirit, not merely outward.
Galatians 3:28-29	Whoever belongs to Christ is Abraham's offspring and an heir according to promise.
Galatians 6:16	Peace and mercy rest on those walking by this rule, the Israel of God.

The Olive Tree

Gentiles Grafted In and One New Man in Christ

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,

Romans 11:17 (NIV)

It pictures Gentile believers sharing in the nourishing root of Israel's covenants without boasting.

The apostle Paul uses the vivid imagery of an agricultural grafting in Romans 11:17 to show that Gentile believers share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree without replacing it. Rather than God abandoning His original tree, wild olive branches are grafted in among the natural branches to partake together in the covenant blessings originating in Abraham. This picture forbids any arrogant boasting over the natural branches, reminding believers in Romans 11:16-18 that it is the ancient root that sustains the branches, not the branches that sustain the root.

God’s covenantal design neither casts away the physical seed nor ignores divine holiness. In Romans 11:19-24, Paul explains that while some natural branches were broken off because of their unbelief, God possesses both the power and the stated purpose to graft the natural branches back into their own olive tree when they turn from unbelief. The inclusion of Gentiles does not signal the cancellation of Israel's national calling, but rather magnifies God's mercy as He works redemptively through history to provoke Israel to jealousy and ultimate restoration.

This unity reaches its apex in the corporate body of Christ. Writing to Gentiles who were once totally alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, Ephesians 2:11-13 announces that they have now been brought near to the covenants by the blood of Christ. Jesus did not demolish the promises made to the patriarchs; instead, as Ephesians 2:14-16 explains, He tore down the dividing wall of hostility in His flesh to forge one new man out of both groups, making peace between Jew and Gentile at the cross. As Ephesians 3:6 affirms, Gentiles have become fellow heirs and partakers of the eternal promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The passages

Passage	What it says
Romans 11:16-18	Gentiles are wild olive shoots grafted in among the natural branches.
Romans 11:19-24	Natural branches were broken off for unbelief, but God is able to graft them in again.
Ephesians 2:11-13	Gentiles once alienated from Israel's commonwealth are brought near through Christ's blood.
Ephesians 2:14-16	Christ broke down the dividing wall to create one new man out of both Jew and Gentile.
Ephesians 3:6	Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body through the gospel.

The permanence of God's covenant with Israel assures every believer of His relentless fidelity. If the Lord could revoke His eternal calling over Israel, no Christian could rest securely in His promises of eternal life. Because His gifts and calling remain without repentance, we can rely completely on the God who never breaks His word.

36 passages, each cited once.

How the major Christian traditions read this

All Christian traditions confess that God has not broken His ancient promises and that individuals, whether Jew or Gentile, are saved only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16; Romans 11:1–2).

Catholic

We hold that God’s gifts and call to the Jewish people remain irrevocable, for they are beloved for the sake of the patriarchs (Romans 11:28–29). The covenant with Israel was never revoked; rather, Christ fulfilled the promises given to Abraham. At the same time, the Church is the new People of God, established through the blood of Christ to encompass all nations (1 Peter 2:9–10). While individual salvation comes solely through faith in Jesus the Messiah, the Catholic Church recognizes that the Jewish people retain a unique, permanent place in God's unfolding plan until their final reconciliation (Romans 11:15).

Scripture: Romans 11:28-29, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Romans 11:15

Orthodox

In the Orthodox Church, we confess that Jesus Christ is the true Israel, the fulfiller of every promise and prophecy. By His cross and resurrection, Christ gathered the faithful remnant and established the Church as the one holy, catholic, and apostolic body—the true Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). God has not rejected the Jewish people according to the flesh (Romans 11:1), and His ancient calling remains an enduring testimony of divine mercy. Yet the covenant achieves its fulfillment only within the Body of Christ, where there is neither Jew nor Greek, but all are one in Him (Galatians 3:28).

Scripture: Galatians 6:16, Romans 11:1, Galatians 3:28

Lutheran

We look at Israel entirely through the distinction between the Law and the Gospel, and the sole sufficiency of Christ. God chose historic Israel to receive the promises, the law, and the lineage of the Messiah (Romans 9:4–5). God’s faithfulness endures, and He preserves a remnant according to grace (Romans 11:5). However, national descent provides no righteousness before God; true children of Abraham are those who share Abraham's faith in the promised Savior (Romans 4:16). The Church of all who believe in Christ inherits the promises, while we pray for the Jewish people to look in faith upon their Messiah.

Scripture: Romans 9:4-5, Romans 11:5, Romans 4:16

Reformed & Presbyterian

We teach one continuous covenant of grace unfolding across both testaments. The historic nation of Israel was the Church under age, whose ceremonial ordinances prefigured Christ (Westminster Confession 19.3). In Christ, the division between Jew and Gentile has been torn down, forming one singular olive tree and household of faith (Ephesians 2:14–19; Romans 11:17). Physical Israel was chosen for a redemptive purpose, yet 'they are not all Israel that are of Israel' (Romans 9:6). While the Church is the spiritual Israel, we affirm from Romans 11:25–26 that God preserves ethnic Israel for an extraordinary future ingathering when they embrace Christ.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:14-19, Romans 11:17, Romans 9:6, Romans 11:25-26

Anglican & Episcopal

Anglicans recognize that the Old Testament is not contrary to the New, for everlasting life is offered to mankind through Christ in both. God’s historic election of Israel remains an indelible part of salvation history, rooted in His unshakeable character: 'the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable' (Romans 11:29). The Church, incorporating both Jewish and Gentile believers, constitutes the visible body of Christ and the heir of the covenant promises (Galatians 3:29). We honor God’s enduring love for the Jewish people, confessing that their ultimate salvation and fullness remain bound up in Jesus, their promised King.

Scripture: Romans 11:29, Galatians 3:29

Baptist

Baptists emphasize that under the New Covenant, the people of God are defined not by physical birth, but by the new birth in the Holy Spirit (John 3:3; Jeremiah 31:31–34). Physical descent from Abraham never guaranteed eternal life (Matthew 3:9). Christ has created in Himself one new man out of two (Ephesians 2:15). Nevertheless, God has not cast off ethnic Israel: Romans 11:1–2 makes clear that God's covenantal purposes continue. Many among us anticipate a widespread, future turning of the Jewish people to Jesus Christ, when the natural branches are grafted back into the tree through faith (Romans 11:23–26).

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 3:9, Romans 11:1-2, Romans 11:23-26, John 3:3

Methodist & Wesleyan

In Wesleyan thought, God’s universal love and prevenient grace reach out to all humanity. God chose the children of Israel to bear His name, His Scriptures, and the Messiah into the world (Romans 9:4–5). God’s faithfulness never fails: He has not abandoned the people He foreknew, and a remnant remains by grace (Romans 11:2, 5). Today, God’s chosen people are those of every background who answer His call by faith in Christ and are renewed in love (Romans 10:12–13). We maintain an enduring hope and prayer for ethnic Israel, confident that God's mercy will culminate in their salvation through Christ.

Scripture: Romans 9:4-5, Romans 11:2, Romans 10:12-13

Pentecostal & Charismatic

We largely hold a dispensational perspective, maintaining a sharp and distinct biblical future for national, ethnic Israel alongside the Church. God’s land covenants and kingdom promises given to Abraham and David remain unconditional and literal (Genesis 15:18; 2 Samuel 7:12–16). While the Church is currently filled with the Holy Spirit and carrying the gospel to the nations, God has not set Israel aside permanently. In the end times, after the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, Christ will return, deliver ethnic Israel, and fulfill all prophetic promises to the nation on earth (Romans 11:25–26; Zechariah 12:10).

Scripture: Genesis 15:18, Romans 11:25-26, Zechariah 12:10, 2 Samuel 7:12-16

Non-denominational & Evangelical

In evangelical and non-denominational circles, we focus directly on the plain words of Scripture: God has explicitly declared that He has not rejected His people (Romans 11:1). While many among us embrace a dispensational view expecting literal fulfillment of national and land promises to ethnic Israel (Amos 9:14–15), others emphasize that all believers are grafted into one spiritual family in Christ (Galatians 3:28–29). Across our churches, we agree that God’s covenantal calling of the Jewish people stands unbroken, that Christ is the only path of salvation, and that a glorious future awaits Israel when they turn to their Messiah.

Scripture: Romans 11:1, Amos 9:14-15, Galatians 3:28-29

Where they differ

Identity of the new covenant people

Catholic

The Church is the new People of God fulfilling Israel's vocation.

Orthodox

The Church is the true Israel of God centered in Christ.

Lutheran

All believers in Christ constitute the spiritual children of Abraham.

Reformed & Presbyterian

One continuous covenant of grace unites the Church across all ages.

Anglican & Episcopal

The Church inherits the covenant promises through union with Christ.

Baptist

Regenerate believers alone form the New Covenant people of God.

Methodist & Wesleyan

All who respond to God's grace by faith become His people.

Pentecostal & Charismatic

The Church and national Israel remain two distinct chosen entities.

Non-denominational & Evangelical

Believers form one body, though views differ on national distinctions.

Scripture: Galatians 6:16, Ephesians 2:14-19, 1 Peter 2:9-10

Future role of national, ethnic Israel

Catholic

An end-time corporate conversion of Jews to Christ completes salvation history.

Orthodox

The Jewish people will ultimately find salvation by entering Christ's Church.

Lutheran

Prophecies point to Jews turning in faith to Christ, not earthly dominion.

Reformed & Presbyterian

A massive spiritual ingathering of ethnic Jews into the Church occurs.

Anglican & Episcopal

God's enduring purpose culminates in ethnic Israel acknowledging the Messiah.

Baptist

Many foresee a spiritual restoration through faith; some expect national restoration.

Methodist & Wesleyan

God's persistent mercy will draw Israel to repentance in Christ.

Pentecostal & Charismatic

Literal fulfillment of land, kingdom, and prophetic promises to Israel.

Non-denominational & Evangelical

Strong emphasis on a literal earthly fulfillment of prophetic promises.

Scripture: Romans 11:25-27, Zechariah 12:10, Genesis 15:18

Your pastor can tell you where your church stands.

Scripture cited

• Romans 11:7-36
• Romans 9:1-8
• Galatians 3:26-29
• Deuteronomy 7:6-8
• Jeremiah 31:35-37
• Romans 10:1-4
• 1 Peter 2:9-10
• Ephesians 2:11-22