Selon l’apôtre Paul dans la Bible ( 11), la chute temporaire des Juifs est présentée comme une opportunité pour les païens (non-Juifs) d’accéder au salut, mais elle n’est pas définitive, elle vise aussi à provoquer un retour des Juifs à Dieu.
Biblical explanation ( 11) :
_Paul writes: “Through their fall, salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.” (Romans 11.11)
_This means that the temporary rejection of part of the Jewish people opened the message of salvation to all nations. It is not a condemnation, but a stage in the divine plan.
_Paul insists that God has not rejected his people: “God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.” (Romans 11.2)
_He uses the image of the olive tree: the Gentiles are branches grafted onto the tree of Israel. They must not be proud, for the natural branches (the Jews) can be grafted back in if they believe.
Theological meaning:
_The “fall” of the Jews is seen as a stage in God’s universal purpose:
_It allows the Gentiles to enter the covenant.
_It prepares a future return of Israel, which will be an even greater blessing.
_Paul concludes with this promise: “And so all Israel will be saved.” (Romans 11.26)
Spiritual message:
_This passage is not a condemnation of the Jews, but an invitation to humility and hope.
_It stresses that God works through the twists and turns of history to accomplish his plan of redemption for all.
Here is how the passage of 11 has been interpreted in Christian history and in interfaith dialogue:
- Classical theological interpretation:
_Saint Augustin et d’autres Pères de l’Eglise ont vu dans la chute d’Israël une étape du plan divin : Dieu permet temporairement l’endurcissement d’Israël pour que les païens accèdent au salut.
_ This interpretation holds that events follow a plan directed toward a goal: it does not condemn Israel, but announces its future restoration. Paul speaks of a "mystery": “A hardening has come upon part of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11.25)
?️ 2. Modern reflection and interfaith dialogue:
_After the tragedies of the twentieth century, especially the Shoah, Christian theologians revisited this passage in order to avoid any antisemitic reading.
_The Second Vatican Council (1965), in Nostra Aetate, affirms that the Jews must not be regarded as rejected by God, and that the covenant with Israel remains valid.
__Many biblical commentators note that the salvation of the Gentiles implies coexistence with the Jews in God’s purpose, without meaning that they have been abandoned.
- Ecumenical and universal vision:
_Today, many Christians see 11 as an invitation to humility: believers from the nations must acknowledge their debt to Israel.
_The text calls for hope: “For if their rejection has meant the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11.15)
In summary:
_The fall of the Jews is seen as a chance for the Gentiles, but also as a provisional stage.
_The biblical text calls for unity, mutual recognition and hope of a universal salvation.