by Ester yusufu | 4 July 2018 08:46 am07
Romans 11:25–26
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery… 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.”
The phrase “all Israel shall be saved” in Romans 11:26 does not mean that every Jewish person throughout history will be saved automatically, regardless of their belief or lifestyle. Instead, it refers to a future national turning of the Jewish people to faith in Jesus Christ, which will happen when the “fullness of the Gentiles” is complete.
Let’s break this down theologically and biblically.
The apostle Paul makes it clear that ethnic identity alone does not guarantee salvation. Just being descended from Abraham or Israel does not make someone truly part of God’s covenant people.
Romans 9:6-7
“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
Paul distinguishes between ethnic Israel (Jews by birth) and spiritual Israel (those who live by faith). True covenant membership is based not on genetics but on faith and obedience to God—just as it was for Abraham (Romans 4:13-16).
Many Jews in the Old Testament were judged by God for their sin and rebellion, despite being descendants of Abraham:
Acts 13:10
“O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness…”
God’s judgment is impartial. As Romans 2:11 says, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Even chosen people are held accountable if they reject God’s truth.
Paul explains that Israel’s current unbelief is not permanent. God allowed this partial hardening so that the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (non-Jews). But once that time is complete, God will turn again to the Jewish people, and many will believe in Jesus as their Messiah.
Romans 11:25
“…blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
Romans 11:24
“If thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature… how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?”
This is part of God’s mysterious salvation plan—His mercy shown first to Israel, then to the Gentiles, and then returning again to Israel (Romans 11:30-32). It reflects God’s sovereignty in election and mercy (Romans 9:15–16).
When Paul says “all Israel shall be saved,” he is not referring to every Jew who has ever lived. Instead, he is referring to a future generation of Jewish people—those who will repent and believe in Jesus near the end of the age.
Isaiah 59:20— which Paul quotes in Romans 11:26:
“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.”
The “all Israel” refers to the faithful remnant among the Jewish people—those who turn from sin and trust in the Redeemer. This is consistent with Old Testament prophecy and with Paul’s earlier statement in Romans 9:27
“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.”
Gentile believers are warned not to become prideful, thinking that they have replaced Israel forever. Paul warns that God can cut off Gentile believers just as He disciplined Israel.
Romans 11:21
“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”
While we still live in the age of grace, a time is coming when the door will close. Jesus warned that many will want to enter but will find the door shut:
Luke 13:25
“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door…”
Hebrews 2:3
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…”
This is a call to urgency. Salvation is available now by faith in Christ. Whether Jew or Gentile, no one should presume upon God’s mercy.
Not all Jews will be saved automatically just because they are descendants of Abraham. Salvation has always been through faith, not bloodline. When Romans 11:26 says “all Israel shall be saved,” it is referring to a future turning of the Jewish people to Jesus Christ—a faithful remnant who repent and believe at the end of the age.
In the meantime, Gentiles should not be proud or careless with the grace they’ve received. We are living in a critical moment of opportunity. The gospel has reached us—but it will soon return to Israel.
So the real question is:
Have you received this grace personally?
Is your life in Christ, or are you still outside the door?
God has opened the door wide—for now.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2018/07/04/questionwill-all-jews-be-saved-according-to-romans-1126/
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