Romans 11:26-27
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The text here doesn't just say a Deliverer will come from Zion; it highlights that this Deliverer will "turn away ungodliness from Jacob." This isn't just about external salvation, but about an internal cleansing, a radical removal of sin's power from the very heart of the people.
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”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul has just explained that the current "partial blindness" of Israel is actually an opportunity for the Gentiles to be brought into God's plan. This verse then offers a glorious promise: after the Gentiles have fully come in, all of Israel will be saved, fulfilling ancient prophecies. This future salvation is described through a quotation about a Deliverer coming from Zion to remove ungodliness from Jacob.
Paul speaks of a future when blindness lifts, and a whole nation turns to God. How can this be, when so much of Israel seemed hardened against the Messiah?
In Romans 11, Paul explains a divine strategy. While many in Israel stumbled, their 'fall' actually opened the door for Gentiles to receive God's grace. This wasn't a permanent rejection, but a temporary 'partial blindness' (Romans 11:25).
The purpose? To provoke Israel to jealousy (Romans 11:11) and ultimately to bring about their full restoration. The 'fulness of the Gentiles' (Romans 11:25) coming in is the signal for Israel's complete turning back to God. It's a powerful reminder that God's plan involves all His people, not just select individuals, and that His purposes are far grander than we might initially assume.
The prophecy points to a specific Deliverer coming from Zion. Who is this figure, and what does 'coming from Zion' signify?
The verse quotes Isaiah 59:20, identifying a 'Deliverer' who will come out of Zion. This isn't just any deliverer; commentators agree this points directly to the Messiah.
'Zion' here represents God's holy city and the center of His presence and people. While the original prophecy in Isaiah says the Redeemer 'comes to Zion,' Paul, likely influenced by the Septuagint translation and other passages, uses 'out of Zion.' This emphasizes that the Deliverer originates from within God's chosen people, fulfilling prophecies that the Messiah would come from the line of David and the nation of Israel.
This act of coming 'from Zion' underscores His intimate connection to His people, making His eventual turning away of ungodliness from them deeply personal and covenantal.
Ask a follow-up
What does it truly mean for ungodliness to be 'turned away' from Jacob, and how does this connect to God's covenant?
The climax of this verse is the Deliverer's mission: to 'turn away ungodliness from Jacob.' This isn't just a superficial removal of bad behavior; it's a profound act of atonement and transformation.
This work is directly linked to God's covenant. As Romans 11:27 clarifies, 'this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.' The Deliverer's action signifies the removal of sin and its consequences, fulfilling the promise of a new covenant. It means forgiveness, reconciliation, and the power to live righteously.
This points to the atoning work of Christ. He bore our ungodliness on the cross, making it possible for God to cleanse us and for us to live in relationship with Him. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise for 'all Israel' signifies a future era of national repentance and salvation, rooted in the very promises God made to Abraham and his descendants.
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.
diathēkē · Greek Noun
A formal, binding agreement between God and His people, typically involving promises, conditions, and signs of relationship. Biblical covenants are inaugurated by God's initiative and grace.
This verse speaks into the long history of Israel's faithfulness and unfaithfulness, its exiles and restorations. By quoting Isaiah 59:20-21, Paul connects the future salvation of 'all Israel' to the Messiah's coming to Zion, reminding his audience that God's plan transcends immediate circumstances, offering hope for a future collective repentance and salvation for his chosen people, even after profound national judgment.
c. 700 BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) is conquered by Assyria, and many of its people are exiled, leading to a scattering and loss of national identity for much of the population.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Southern Kingdom
The Southern Kingdom of Judah (two tribes) is conquered by Babylon, and Jerusalem is destroyed. A significant portion of the population is exiled to Babylon.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, many Judeans are allowed to return to their homeland and begin rebuilding the Temple and Jerusalem.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome conquers Judea, establishing Roman authority and beginning a period of direct Roman rule, which would eventually lead to immense political and social tension.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified by the Romans. This event is central to Christian belief concerning atonement and the fulfillment of prophecy.
AD 70— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and its Second Temple, marking a catastrophic event for Jewish national and religious life, and a further dispersal of the Jewish people.
c. AD 90-95
Composition of Romans
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church in Rome, reflecting on God's plan of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles, and the ultimate restoration of Israel.
This passage is directly quoted in Romans 11:26, identifying the coming Redeemer who will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
Jeremiah 31:33This passage speaks of God's new covenant with Israel, where He will put His law within them and write it on their hearts, reflecting the internal transformation implied by the Deliverer removing ungodliness.
Romans 9:27This verse speaks of a remnant of Israel being saved, echoing the theme of salvation for the nation mentioned in Romans 11:26, and showing that salvation has always been a divine act concerning Israel.
Zechariah 12:10This prophetic passage describes a future outpouring of a spirit of grace and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, leading them to mourn and look upon Him whom they pierced, which aligns with the 'turning away ungodliness' and salvation of 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 text here doesn't just say a Deliverer will come from Zion; it highlights that this Deliverer will "turn away ungodliness from Jacob." This isn't just about external salvation, but about an internal cleansing, a radical removal of sin's power from the very heart of the people.
Paul has just explained that the current "partial blindness" of Israel is actually an opportunity for the Gentiles to be brought into God's plan. This verse then offers a glorious promise: after the Gentiles have fully come in, all of Israel will be saved, fulfilling ancient prophecies. This future salvation is described through a quotation about a Deliverer coming from Zion to remove ungodliness from Jacob.
Paul has just explained that the current "partial blindness" of Israel is actually an opportunity for the Gentiles to be brought into God's plan. This verse then offers a glorious promise: after the Gentiles have fully come in, all of Israel will be saved, fulfilling ancient prophecies. This future salvation is described through a quotation about a Deliverer coming from Zion to remove ungodliness from Jacob.
"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”; “and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”" — The text here doesn't just say a Deliverer will come from Zion; it highlights that this Deliverer will "turn away ungodliness from Jacob." This isn't just about external salvation, but about an inter…
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Last reviewed October 2026