All Israel Will Be Saved

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Today’s Readings: Proverbs 6-7; Psalm 7; Romans 11

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Romans 11:29–32, ESV

In Romans 11 Paul explain how the Jew’s rejection of the gospel actually serves God’s purpose of redemption. In verses 25 and 26 he says, to his mostly Gentile audience, “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved.” Although the good news about Jesus Christ was initially preached almost exclusively to the Jews, for He was the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, eventually God revealed to the Apostles that the gospel was for Gentiles too. In fact, Gentiles proved to be much more receptive and in Acts 18 Paul “shook out his garments,” and said to the Jews in Corinth who were opposing him, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles” (verse 6).

As Paul has attested to earlier in the book of Romans, this was a heartbreaking development. As a devout Jew himself he wanted all of his countrymen to be saved, but it was apparent that their hearts were hard and they would not hear. However, Paul came to realize that this was a part of God’s plan. Their opposition created an opportunity for the Gentiles. “Through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles,” he says in verse 11. Although Paul regretted Israel’s rejection of the gospel, he rejoiced that it meant the reconciliation of the world (verse 15). Moreover, he believed that ultimately, the mercy and kindness God had show to the Gentiles would make the Jews “jealous” and lead to their salvation as well. After all, God had not rejected them, they had rejected His Son, Jesus Christ, but if they should turn once again and put their faith in Him, they will be saved!

Paul put his hope of the reliability of God’s promises and the steadfastness of His love. “As regards the gospel, they (the Jews) are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers” (verse 28). Be sure you understand, Paul is not saying they are our enemies. They are enemies of the gospel, but in a limited sense we should be glad because it is for our sake. Again, that’s because their opposition to the gospel has opened it up for everyone else. However, God still loves them and their remains a remnant, chosen by grace (verse 5) who have put their hope in Jesus Christ. Eventually, Paul says, when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” this “partial hardening” of the Jews will end. At that time, just as their disobedience brought us mercy (although we had been disobedient), the mercy shown to us will bring them mercy as well (although they are now disobedient)!

“In this way all Israel will be saved” (verse 26). Here Paul is not talking about all of ethnic Israel, he referring back to what he previously said in Romans 9:6-8. Israel is comprised of those “children of promise,” both Jew and Gentile, who have put their faith in the promised offspring of Abraham, Jesus Christ. According to the image Paul employed in chapter 11, Israel includes all of those who have been grafted into the true branch or one root, who is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Way, the only way, to be saved and Paul praises God’s wisdom and knowledge and sovereignty in bringing Jew and Gentile alike to salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ. There is no distinction. We have all been disobedient. We have all received mercy. Thanks be to God! “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (verse 36).

Be encouraged, Friends. If God will not forsake Israel because of the promises He made to their forefathers and the steadfast love He has for them, then He will not forsake you for whom He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ! Be careful. Don’t become arrogant. “For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you” (verse 21). But God is good and kind. Keep yourself in the love of God and He will keep you in His hand where no one is able to snatch you out (John 10:27-29).