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Romans 11

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

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.

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, 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 recompence unto them:

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

What does Romans 11:26 mean?

Explanation

Romans 11:26 presents a promise of eschatological (end-time) salvation for Israel.

The verse is situated in a larger discourse where the Apostle Paul is addressing the status of Israel in God's redemptive plan.

Literally, the verse asserts that a time will come when the nation of Israel, as a whole, will experience salvation.

The deliverer coming out of Zion (Zion often represents Jerusalem or the seat of God's presence) is considered a messianic figure, most frequently associated with Jesus Christ, who will turn away ungodliness from the people of Jacob (another name for Israel).

The "deliverance" signifies the removal of sin and the establishment of a right relationship with God.

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Historical Context

When the Apostle Paul penned his letter to the Romans in the first century A.D., the early Christian community was largely divided between Jewish and Gentile believers.

There was a theological tension over the inclusion of Gentiles within God's covenant and the apparent rejection of Jews who did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

The historical setting is crucial: the Temple in Jerusalem still stood, Jewish followers of Jesus navigated their identity in relation to the Law, and many Gentiles were coming to faith in Christ.

Understanding this context helps to unpack the implications of Paul's message regarding Israel's future redemption.

Theological Insights

Romans 11:26 has been interpreted through various theological lenses. A prevailing view is that Paul speaks of God's faithfulness to his covenant with Israel and ensures that despite their stumbling, He has not abandoned them.

Some hold a futurist interpretation, believing in a future mass conversion of ethnic Jews to Christianity.

This is often aligned with dispensationalism.

Others take a more symbolic view, seeing "all Israel" as representative of the complete people of God, both Jews and Gentiles united in faith in Christ (the inclusive or spiritual Israel).

Yet, some others consider this salvation as a past event associated with the first coming of Christ.

Practical Applications

This verse inspires believers to maintain hope for the salvation of others, recognizing that God's redemptive work is far-reaching and inclusive.

It can motivate Christians to evangelism and intercessory prayer, especially for the Jewish people.

It also serves as an encouragement that God is faithful to His promises and urges believers to cultivate faithfulness in their own lives.

Cross-References

Isaiah 59:20 - "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 31:33-34 - "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Ezekiel 36:26-27 - "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
Zechariah 12:10 - "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek text include:

"sozo" (σώσει) meaning "shall be saved"
"ek" (ἐκ) meaning "out of" (indicating origin)
"Sion" (Σιων), the Greek transliteration of "Zion"
"rhyomai" (ῥύομαι) meaning "shall turn away"
"asebeia" (ἀσέβεια) meaning "ungodliness"

These words collectively depict a movement of rescue or deliverance from a state of ungodliness or sin, originating from a place of spiritual significance, Zion.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Romans 11:26 echoes themes common in Jewish messianic expectations where a deliverer was anticipated to arise from Zion, a sacred location in Jewish tradition associated with Davidic kingship and divine presence.

Inherent in this is the idea of restoration that is prevalent in many religious and cultural narratives, where a savior figure redeems or restores a people to righteousness or harmony.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly engage with scientific ideas since it speaks to spiritual salvation and eschatological belief.

However, the concept of a transformative moment or process through a savior figure may have indirect parallels with theories of societal development and psychological transformation, where significant change often follows a pivotal intervention or a seminal event.

Commentaries

Commentary on Romans 11:26 varies:

Classic dispensationalists often interpret the verse as predicting a future national salvation of Israel.
Reformed theologians might argue that 'all Israel' refers to the spiritual Israel, including both Jewish and Gentile believers.
Some modern scholars argue for a partial hardening of Israel until the full number of Gentiles is reached, after which Israel will turn to God.
Catholic commentary typically views the verse within the context of the Church's teaching on the importance of maintaining a bond with the Jewish people, affirming their eventual embracing of the Gospel.

Romans 11

Romans 11

What does Romans 11:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 11:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?