What does Romans 11:13 mean? (2024)

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Paul has been writing about God's relationship with His chosen people, Israel. He described how and why God hardened most Israelites to faith in Christ. God's purpose was, in part, to include Gentiles—non-Jews—in the promise of salvation through faith in Christ. In the previous verse, Paul introduced the idea that at some point in the future, the full inclusion of Israel to faith in Christ will result in great things for all people.

Now Paul addresses Gentiles directly, beginning a thought he will complete in the following verse. Paul describes his identity and purpose to be an apostle to the Gentiles. Christ Himself gave this role to Paul in Acts 9:15. Paul writes that he magnifies his ministry to take the good news about faith in Jesus to all Gentiles. In other words, he glorifies his ministry. He goes big. He works hard at it. He is bold and strategic and amplifies the message of God's grace for the Gentiles through faith in Christ.

In part, as Paul reveals in the next verse, he does this to provoke jealousy among his own Jewish people. He wants to see them saved, to have the same special relationship with God that the Gentiles have now received.