Romans 11:26
And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that the Deliverer doesn't just come to Zion, but from Zion, emphasizing the Messiah's origin within God's chosen people, Jacob. This coming isn't just about removing sin, but actively turning away ungodliness from them, signifying a deep, restorative work within the nation itself.
Paul is explaining a profound mystery about God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. He's just said that the Gentiles' inclusion is causing Israel to become jealous, which will eventually lead to their salvation. This verse then reveals the ultimate outcome for Israel, foretelling their complete rescue through a divine Deliverer.
Why does the salvation of Israel seem to be tied to the Gentiles coming to faith? What's the connection?
Paul is building a case for God's faithfulness. He's already explained that many in Israel stumbled, leading to a temporary 'blindness.' But this wasn't an end to God's plan for them. Instead, this stumbling paved the way for the Gentiles to be grafted into God's family. The 'fullness of the Gentiles' refers to the complete number of Gentiles God has chosen. Once this number is reached, it acts as a trigger, a signal that God's focus is shifting back to Israel. It's like a carefully orchestrated plan where one part's completion leads to the next stage, ensuring no one is left out of God's redemptive story.
Who is this 'Deliverer,' and how does His coming change everything for 'all Israel'?
The verse points to a specific individual: 'The Deliverer.' This isn't just a generic hero, but the Messiah Himself. The prophet Isaiah foretold His coming, and Paul uses this prophecy to show that the Messiah's work is the key to Israel's salvation. His mission is not just to rescue them from external enemies, but to 'turn away ungodliness from Jacob.' This means He will deal with the root of Israel's problem—their sin and rebellion. His work on the cross and His ongoing ministry will ultimately conquer sin and ungodliness within the hearts of His people, bringing about true, lasting salvation.
What does Paul mean by 'all Israel' and when will this salvation take place?
This promise of 'all Israel' being saved is a profound declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It doesn't necessarily mean every single individual Jew throughout history will be saved without exception. Instead, it refers to the collective restoration and salvation of the Jewish people as a nation, at a future time. This will happen when the Messiah returns or in the final outpouring of His grace. It's about the vast majority, the 'fulness' of Israel, turning to Christ. This final, sweeping salvation for the Jewish people will be a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, fulfilling ancient promises and bringing His redemptive plan to its glorious completion.
Understand the original words
Israēl · Greek Noun
A general term referring to the ethnic descendants of Jacob. In theological contexts, it can denote the historical nation, the remnant within the nation, or the expanded people of God.
rhyomenos · Greek Noun/Participle
One who rescues or sets free from peril, bondage, or destruction. In the New Testament, this refers definitively to Jesus Christ as the Savior from sin and judgment.
Paul's reference to the 'Deliverer' coming from Zion and turning away ungodliness is deeply rooted in the history of Israel's scattering and divine promises of future restoration, offering a message of hope for a future salvation that encompasses all of God's people.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile and assimilation of many Israelites. This event marks a significant scattering of the Jewish people.
586 BC
Babylonian Conquest of Southern Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling a large portion of the remaining Judeans to Babylon. This further disperses the Jewish people.
538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. While many return, some remain in diaspora.
c. 200 BC - 1st Century AD
Growth of Jewish Diaspora
Throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods, Jewish communities spread widely across the Mediterranean world and beyond, forming significant diaspora populations.
This is the primary Old Testament passage Paul is quoting, directly linking the coming of a Redeemer to Zion with the turning away of ungodliness from Jacob, reinforcing the promise of salvation for Israel.
Jeremiah 31:33This passage speaks of God's new covenant, promising to put His law within His people and write it on their hearts, which aligns with the idea of internal transformation and 'ungodliness being turned away' from Jacob.
Psalm 14:7This psalm anticipates God bringing back His people from captivity, speaking of salvation coming from Zion, echoing the prophetic announcement of a Deliverer originating from that place.
Zechariah 12:10This prophecy describes a future outpouring of the Spirit on the house of David, leading them to look upon Him whom they have pierced and to mourn, a powerful image of national repentance and salvation for Israel.
ellicottRomans 11:26: "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:"
(26) When this ingathering of the Gentiles is complete, then the turn of Israel will come round again, and the prophecies of their conversion will be fulfilled. There shall come . . .—This prophecy is peculiarly appropriate, as it refers to the exiles who had apostatised in Babylon. Then, as now, a part of the nation had remained true, and t…
gillRomans 11:26: "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:"
And so all Israel shall be saved,.... Meaning not the mystical spiritual Israel of God, consisting both of Jews and Gentiles, who shall appear to be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation, when all God's elect among the latter are gathered in, which is the sense many give into; but the people of the Jews, the generality of them, the…
The verse highlights that the Deliverer doesn't just come to Zion, but from Zion, emphasizing the Messiah's origin within God's chosen people, Jacob. This coming isn't just about removing sin, but actively turning away ungodliness from them, signifying a deep, restorative work within the nation itself.
Paul is explaining a profound mystery about God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. He's just said that the Gentiles' inclusion is causing Israel to become jealous, which will eventually lead to their salvation. This verse then reveals the ultimate outcome for Israel, foretelling their complete rescue through a divine Deliverer.
Paul is explaining a profound mystery about God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. He's just said that the Gentiles' inclusion is causing Israel to become jealous, which will eventually lead to their salvation. This verse then reveals the ultimate outcome for Israel, foretelling their complete rescue through a divine Deliverer.
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c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified in Jerusalem, and His resurrection is proclaimed by His followers. This event is central to the Christian faith and its message to both Jews and Gentiles.
c. AD 30s - 60s
Apostolic Ministry to Jews and Gentiles
The apostles, particularly Paul, begin actively evangelizing both Jewish communities and Gentile populations throughout the Roman Empire, leading to the establishment of early churches.
c. AD 62— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church in Rome, likely from Corinth or Ephesus. In this letter, he elaborates on God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles, culminating in the understanding of Romans 11:26.
"And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;" — The verse highlights that the Deliverer doesn't just *come* to Zion, but *from* Zion, emphasizing the Messiah's origin within God's chosen people, Jacob. This coming isn't just about removing sin, bu…