Romans 11 - Will All Jewish People Be Saved?
The Remnant of Israel
11 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Paul once again addresses the plight of Israel. The question Paul asks is, "Did God reject Israel?" And he gives an emphatic "NO!" for an answer. Then, Paul brings up this idea of a remnant of Israel that will be saved. There has been a lot of speculation, theological reflection, and even some controversy surrounding this issue.
I think the simple answer based on scripture is always the best in these matters. God's desire was to save all of Israel, as they were His chosen people, but some rejected him and went after other gods. Paul gave them what they wanted. Ultimately He sent His Son to show the full extent of His love, and most Jews rejected him as well.
This clearly not relating to the Gentiles, as he refers to the Old Testament and the people of Israel. But once again he brings up the concept that this remnant is based on those God has chosen, the Jews. This is why no one can claim it is by works.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day." 9 And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. 10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”
The quotations from Isaiah 29 and Psalm 69 tell us that God can give a spirit of stupor and eyes that they should not see and He can say let their eyes be darkened as He pleases. If God is pleased to enlighten only a remnant of Israel at the present time, He may do so as He pleases. - Guzik
The Jews of Paul’s day were so secure in their idea of being the chosen people that the very idea became the thing that ruined them. - Guzik
Ingrafted Branches
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
Paul states that though Israel stumbled, they were not beyond recovery. Meaning if they were willing to repent, God would take them back in. If their unbelief led to the inclusion of the Gentiles, how much more will he rejoice in their coming back to Him.
This again reminds us that "God doesn't predestine anyone to hell", as some might put forth.
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Though Paul's primary mission is to be an ambassador to the Gentiles, it doesn't mean he doesn't still want his fellow Jews to come to faith. In fact, he hopes that the Gentiles' inclusion might spur them to want to come to faith in the Messiah.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
Paul then uses the metaphor of the Vine and the branches, which Jesus also used in John 15. Jesus said in this chapter, "I am the Vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me you will bear much fruit. Fruit that will last."
In the Old Testament Israel was called, "The true vine of God", Paul uses this metaphor to say that the natural branches (the Jews) have been broken off. In their place the unnatural branches (the Gentiles) have been "grafted in". Paul warns the Gentiles not to get too cocky, for if God broke off the natural branches would he not be equally justified in breaking off the unnatural branches if they are arrogant.
We should never be arrogant about being a Christian? We didn't do anything to earn it and even our faith is a gift from God? Everything we have is from God, and it is God who sustains our faith until He calls us home.
If you are a believer, take a moment and give thanks to God for His amazing grace!
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is[f] my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”[g] 28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Paul introduces a concept that has been much debated by theologians and pastors and bible teachers when he says, "All Israel will be saved." What does he mean by this?
A plain reading of this passage, which usually is the best, as God is not the author of confusion, is that all Israel will be saved when the full number of Gentiles comes in. Paul reasons that God's gifts and call to Abraham and the other patriarchs are "irrevocable". Meaning once God chose the Jewish people through his covenant with Abraham, He cannot go back on it. God will never ever go back on a promise.
The issue is that there have been many Jews who have died not believing in Jesus since Jesus' time. Does that mean they were saved, because "All Israel is saved"? When we have a confusing passages like this one, it is important to take the whole teaching of scripture as we interpret. If the whole New Testament teaches were are saved by faith in Jesus alone, then it is erroneous to say the Jews are saved even if they don't believe in Jesus. It would negate the rest of Paul's teaching in all of his letters.
There is however the book of Revelation, which prophesies about the Jewish people coming back into God's kingdom during the end times. This could be what Paul is referring to here.
Here are some commentaries I find helpful.
This states clearly for us that God is not finished with Israel as a nation or a distinct ethnic group. Though God has turned the focus of His saving mercies away from Israel specifically and onto the Gentiles generally, He will turn it back again.
This simple passage refutes those who insist that God is forever done with Israel as a people and that the Church is the New Israel and inherits every promise ever made to national and ethnic Israel of the Old Testament. - Guzik
The Bible indicates this is a necessary condition for the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:39, Zechariah 12:10-11). Jesus will not return again until God turns the focus of His saving mercies on Israel again, and Israel responds to God through Jesus Christ.
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”[j] 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”[k] 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
At the end of the day, Paul concludes that we can never fully know or comprehend the mystery of the riches of God's grace. What we do know is that God loves to lavish His grace upon the apple of His eye, the jewel of His creation, human beings. After all Paul concludes,
"Who has known the mind of the Lord!"
God doesn't owe us anything but gives us everything!
In end the only thing Paul can write is,
"To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen."
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