Apostol § 105

Brethren, do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord, they have killed Thy Prophets and tom down Thine Altars, and I am left alone, and they seek my life”? But what does the 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.” Even so then, at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 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. What then? Israel has not obtained that which it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were hardened, as it is written: “God hath given them the spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day.” And David saith: “Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense unto them; let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always.” I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! But through their fall, and to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come unto the Gentiles. Now if their fall be riches for the world, and their failure riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!