“But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.”
Romans 11:4, KJV
“But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.””
Romans 11:4, ESV
Table of Contents
- Romans 11:4 Meaning – But what saith the answer of God unto him?
- Romans 11:4 Meaning – I have reserved to myself seven thousand
- Romans 11:4 Meaning – who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal
Romans 11:4 Meaning – But what saith the answer of God unto him?
Romans 11:4 Meaning – I have reserved to myself seven thousand
The Lord intended, by using a definite for an indefinite number, to point out the great multitude which undoubtedly worshipped Jehovah.
Since, therefore, the grace of God has so extensive an influence, even during periods of the most deplorable impiety, it is our bounden duty not to judge all those to be votaries of Satan, whose piety does not openly manifest itself to our view.
Let the following truth take full possession of our mind — “Though impiety abounds in every part of the world, and the horrors of a religious and moral confusion are every where displayed, yet the salvation of many continues shut up and secured under the seal of the alone Founder of the church.”
But to prevent any one from making this a pretext for the indulging in sloth, as the generality of professors seek a hiding-place for their vices under the secret protection and guard of the Rock of Ages, it is our duty to make the following observation, that salvation is secured only for the steady votaries of the faith of God, who exhibit integrity of conduct, and freedom from pollution and sin.
The circumstance also connected with the judgment of the Lord must be carefully attended to, that those finally continue firm and secure, who have not by any external bowing of the knee prostituted their body to the worship of idols.
The affections of these worshippers were not only preserved from impurity, but their bodies were untainted by the least uncleanness and superstition.
Calvin, John – Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans tr. Francis Sibson (1834)
God had even then reserved to Himself a goodly number, who had not apostatised from His worship.
From these words, in this answer of God, I have reserved to Myself, we learn that if any are preserved from false worship, if any are brought to the knowledge of God, it is by His special influence and agency, and not owing to themselves.
Such favoured individuals are said to be ‘reserved ‘ by God. How different is this from the views of multitudes who profess Christianity! It is a comfort to think that in the worst times there may be many more of the people of God than we are apt to imagine.
Haldane, Robert – Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans (1874)
Romans 11:4 Meaning – who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal
This shows that any overt act of idolatry, or any compliance with the requirements of false religion, renders men unworthy of being accounted the true servants of God. So Job, in declaring the integrity of his conduct towards God and man, says, ‘If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness, and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand, this also were an iniquity to be punished; for I should have denied the God that is above.’
Haldane, Robert – Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans (1874)
