1. I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2. God didn’t reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel:
3. “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.”
4. But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7. What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.