Related resources...

Summary on the Attributes of God
Spurgeon on the Attributes of God

Israel of God - Is God "Finished" with Israel in His prophetic plan?

Off Site - Table Comparing/contrasting Israel & Church
Off Site - Does the Church Fulfill Israel's Program? - John Walvoord
The Jewish People, Jesus Christ and World History - S Lewis Johnson

Are you confused about God's plan for Israel? Then I highly recommend Tony Garland's 12 Hour Course on Romans 9-11 in which he addresses in depth the question of  What Will Happen to Israel?  (click) or see the individual lectures below)

Romans 9:1-5 Paul's Sorrow Concerning Israel
Romans 9:6-13 Children of the Promise
Romans 9:14-24 The Potter and the Clay
Romans 9:25-33 A Remnant Will be Saved
Romans 10:1-13 The Righteousness of God
Romans 10:14-21 Has Israel Not Heard?
Romans 11:1-6  God Has Not Cast Away The Jews
Romans 11:7-15 Life from the Dead
Romans 11:16-24 Two Olive Trees
Romans 11:25-36 The Salvation of Israel

Note that when you click the preceding links, each link will in turn give you several choices including an Mp3 message and brief transcript notes. The Mp3's are long (avg 70+ min) but are in depth and thoroughly Scriptural with many quotations from the Old Testament, which is often much less well understood than the NT by many in the church today. Garland takes a literal approach to Scripture, and his love for the Jews and passion to see them saved comes through very clearly in these 12 hours of teaching! Take your home Bible Study group through this series if you dare. Take notes on the tapes as the transcripts are a very abbreviated version of the audio messages. This course is highly recommended for all who love Israel! I think you will agree that Tony Garland, despite coming to faith after age 30 as an engineer, clearly has been given a special anointing by God to promulgate the truth concerning Israel and God's glorious future plan for the Jews. Garland has also produced more than 20 hours of superb audio teaching in his verse by verse commentary on the Revelation (in depth transcripts also available) which will unravel (in a way you did not think was possible considering the plethora of divergent interpretations) God's final message of the triumph and return of the our Lord Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords! Maranatha!

FOR I DO NOT WANT YOU, BRETHREN, TO BE UNINFORMED OF THIS MYSTERY: Ou gar thelo (1SPAS) humas agnoein (PAN), adelphoi, to musterion touto: (Psalms 107:43; Hosea 14:9; 1Corinthians 10:1; 12:1; 2Peter 3:8) (Ro 16:25; Ephesians 3:3,4,9; Revelation 10:7)

 I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren (Amplified)

For (gar) is a conjunction which means because. Whenever you see a verse begin with for, a good habit to develop is to ask yourself "Because of what?" "Why is this for at the beginning of the passage?" "What is Paul linking it with?" Observe that Paul has just asked "how much more shall these who are the natural branches (the Jews) be grafted into their own olive tree?" (see note Romans 11:24) Paul had just explained the olive tree which represents the promises given to the fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) which were rooted in the Abrahamic covenant. He had stated that the olive tree was a cultivated olive tree, and that the Gentiles who are participating in it as branches grafted in are not the natural branches, which are Jews. In light of this truth, Paul wants the Gentiles to understand that there is greater potential (how much more) for unbelieving Israel to come to faith than there was for Gentiles who are saved by adopting that which has a Jewish "foundation". In other words, Christianity was founded on the OT Scriptures which were the privileged possession of the Jews and we Gentiles have come to believe in a Jewish Messiah. Paul's point is that we Gentiles need to think about this dynamic (for I do not want you brethren to be uniformed...). If we Gentiles who were unnatural branches came to believe in the Messiah as our Savior, how much more likely is it for God to turn unbelieving Jews of Israel  to faith in Messiah. In other words, the Jews have a much greater affinity and natural connection then Gentiles.  And yet we Gentiles (wild olive branches) did come to faith, even though we had less affinity for the natural olive tree. And since this has happened to you Gentiles, don't be surprised when Israel comes to faith in what is often incorrectly regarded as a "western religion" for in fact more accurately Christianity is in its origin a "middle eastern religion".

I do not want you - Not identifies (ou) the absolute negation. So Paul is saying in the strongest way possible he does not want his readers to be ignorant of what he is about to explain. Clearly the truth Paul is about to reveal must be very important.

Uninformed (50) (agnoeo from a = not + noéo = perceive, understand) means to not have information about, to not know, to be unaware of or to be ignorant of. The present tense speaks of being continually ignorant. Ignorance in this area is not bliss but leads to one becoming wise in their own mind. The ignorance can be as simple as the fact that one has never been taught the truth inherent in the mystery or that the preaching in one's church is shallow and tends to avoid non-seeker friendly "controversial" topics as in Romans 9-11. The most heinous reason for ignorance is not that one has not heard the truth, but having heard the revelation of this mystery makes a conscious choice to reject it! There is what I would interpret as a subtle form of "anti-Semitism" in the church today, in which some believers simply do not like the fact that God has a chosen nation called Israel and that He is not finished with them. Dearly beloved, how is your heart in this area?

Mystery (3466) (musterion from mustes = one initiated [as into the Greco-Roman religious "mystery" cults] from mueo = to close or shut) (Click  for in depth study of musterion) as used in the NT speaks of some truth which is not discoverable apart from being revealed by God. Mystery in the NT is a truth previously unknown but now revealed.  Thus Paul is not using "mystery" like we do in modern parlance as something "mysterious", something "unknown". Quite the opposite is true, for when mystery is used in the NT it refers not to a truth which is difficult to understand, but to a truth previously unrevealed (and therefore unknown) which is now revealed and publicly proclaimed.

Here in Romans 11:25 the mystery revealed is that Israel's blindness or hardening is (1) partial (not complete - see notes below and study of the Jewish believing remnant through the ages) and (2) temporary (it will last only until the time when all the Gentiles whom God will save have in fact been saved [have "come in"]).

Mystery refers to the activity of God in salvation history, once hidden (Romans 16:25), but now made known to his people by revelation. The content of this mystery embraces Israel's present hardening--which is partial because the believing remnant constitutes an exception and because the hardening is limited in duration, lasting only "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

SO THAT YOU BE WISE IN YOUR OWN ESTIMATION: hina me ete (2PPAS) (par) heautois phronimoi: (Ro 12:16; Proverbs 3:5, 6, 7; 26:12,16; Isaiah 5:21)

Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits)  (Amplified)

So that (hina) means in order that, a term of conclusion. The application is clear. If believers today remain uniformed about God's plan for the Jews (the mystery revealed here by Paul) in the End Times, they will become wise in their own estimation. And sadly this is what has occurred in much of the church over the centuries and to a large extent in our own day.

Lest you be wise in your own estimation - Paul was concerned that some Gentile believers would be wise in their own estimation and would assume that racial distinctions (Jew and Gentile) no longer exist. And so Paul explains that God

Several Bible paraphrases bring out the idea nicely...

This truth will help you understand that you do not know everything (International Children's Bible: Nelson)

so that you may not be conceited (NIV - IBS)

so that you will not feel proud and start bragging (NLT - Tyndale House)

Estimation (5429) (phronimos from phronéo = think, have a mindset from phren  = mind) means wise, prudent, having the capacity to understand, often in the daily things of life and implies a cautious character.

Paul's point is that when Christians become conceited it is because they think they have understanding but sadly the mystery revealed here in Romans 11:25 is still mysterious to them! God’s sovereign plan to put Israel aside temporarily in order to show grace to Gentiles is no basis for conceit on the part of the Gentiles but is designed to display further the glory of God. Remember Paul has said if God can save Gentiles (unnatural branches) how much more will He be able to save all of Israel (natural branches) in His perfect timing!

THAT A PARTIAL HARDENING HAS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL: hoti porosis apo merous to Israel gegonen (3SRAI):

Partial (3313) (meros from meiromai = to get as a section or allotment) describes a division or share and thus a portion or a part (cf remnant).

What does Paul mean by partial? Is he saying that all of the Jews are "partially blind."? Or does he mean that complete blindness applies to part of the Jews? From the context (see verses discussed below - Ro 9:6-7, 11:1, 11:2-4, 11:5 - all allude to a remnant or part of the whole nation) the latter interpretation is the more accurate interpretation

Marvin Vincent a Greek scholar agrees writing...

Not partial hardening, but hardening extending over a part.

Paul had alluded to this partial hardening in Romans 9 writing...

it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." (See notes Romans 9:6; 9:7)

Underline partial. Don't forget this truth. Only some of the branches were broken off (see note Romans 11:17). Certainly God is saving Jews in our own time and in fact He has always had a Jewish remnant (see study) of men and women who believed in Yeshua, their Messiah as their personal Redeemer. Thus not only was the unbelief partial but it will also be temporary as indicated by the time phrase until as discussed more below. Notice that Paul himself a Jew now believing in Messiah is evidence that the blindness or hardening was only partial. In fact, Paul opened Romans 11 with the truth that God has always preserved a remnant of believing Jews. For example, in Romans 11:1 [note] Paul presents himself as an example of that the hardening is partial, and in Romans 11:2, 3, 4 (notes Ro 11:2, 3, 4) he draws an illustration from the OT in the Divine response to Elijah that God had preserved a remnant of 7000. Then based on these examples, Paul emphasizes that...

In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious (not merited) choice. (See note Romans 11:5)

Paul doubly emphasizes that this remnant was in no way based on merit but on grace writing...

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. 7 What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen (elect) obtained it, and the rest (the remaining ones = the remnant) were hardened (verb poroo - means to make hard like stone and thus calloused and insensitive to touch. In NT poroo is used only in a spiritual sense of hardened hearts in Mk 6:52; 8:17 Jn 12:40, of hardened minds in 2Cor 3:14). (See notes Romans 11:6; 11:7)

And so we see that Paul is returning to the subject with which he had begun Roman 11 to explain how God would work out His plan for His people whom He had not rejected. Beloved, the church needs to remember that God is not finished with Israel. Anyone who teaches that is conceited and lacks understanding of the mystery in this passage! Replacement theology (see excellent summary) is such an aberrant conceited understanding, in which the basic premise is propounded that God is finished with Israel because the Church is now the Israel of God (notes)!

Hardening (KJV = "Blindness") (4457) (porosis related to poroo [see note above] = to harden or petrify from poros = small piece of stone broken off from a larger one) means to made hard like a stone, and so callous or insensitive to touch.

When referring to the joints of the body, the verb poroo signified the stiffening of one's joints. Applied to the eyes, poroo meant blindness and this latter secular use led to the KJV rendering as "blindness".

Barclay remarks that porosis was used as a...

medical word, and it meant a callus (on skin this a thickened, hard area). It was specially used for the callus which forms round the fracture when a bone is broken, the hard bone formation which helps to mend the break. When a callus grows on any part of the body that part loses feeling. It becomes insensitive. The minds of the mass of the people have become insensitive; they can no longer hear and feel the appeal of God.

There are only 2 other NT uses of porosis...

Mark 3:5 And after looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness (porosis) of heart, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Ephesians 4:18 (note) being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness (porosis) of their heart;

All 3 NT uses of porosis are figurative two specifying the heart as the "organ" that was hardened. Arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries of the heart will take a person to the grave, but spiritual hardening of the heart will take them to hell (unless God grants deliverance as in Romans 11:26) Porosis is thus a callousness or dullness to spiritual matters.

William Barclay has another note writing that...

Porosis comes from poros, which originally meant a stone that was harder than marble. It came to have certain medical uses. It was used for the chalk stone which can form in the joints and completely paralyze action. It was used of the callus that forms where a bone has been broken and re-set, a callus which is harder than the bone itself. Finally the word came to mean the loss of all power of sensation; it described something which had become so hardened, so petrified that it had no power to feel at all. That is what Paul says the heathen life is like (Ephesians 4:18) It has become so hardened that it has lost the power of feeling. In the Epistle to a Young Friend, Robert Burns wrote about sin:

“I waive the quantum o’ the sin,
The hazard of concealing;
But och! it hardens a’ within,
And petrifies the feeling!”

The terror of sin is its petrifying effect. The process of sin is quite discernible. No man becomes a great sinner all at once. At first he regards sin with horror. When he sins, there enters into his heart remorse and regret. But if he continues to sin there comes a time when he loses all sensation and can do the most shameful things without any feeling at all. His conscience is petrified. (This is because all men in Adam are totally depraved & have an inherent sin nature from Adam to commit sins). (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press or Logos)

In short, Paul paints the picture of hearts of a portion of Israel attaining to such a state in which a figurative callus had grown over their spiritual heart, making them insensitive and incapable of receiving the teaching regarding the Messiah. And so the first part of the mystery that is revealed is that there is partial hardening but of those affected, the hardening is complete.

Has happened - This verb is in the perfect tense which indicates that the hardening has occurred at a point in time in the past and is still in effect at the time of Paul's writing. And if anyone could understand this spiritual hardness and insensitivity, it would be Paul, who was violently opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even assenting to the stoning of Stephen in Acts 8:1 Luke recording that...

Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death...

The Geneva Study Bible notes are not a bad interpretation of this hardness (blindness) explaining that...

The blindness of the Jews is neither so universal that the Lord has no elect in that nation, neither will it be continual: for there will be a time in which they also (as the prophets have foretold) will effectually embrace that which they now so stubbornly for the most part reject and refuse.

UNTIL THE FULNESS OF THE GENTILES HAS COME IN: achri ou to pleroma ton ethnon eiselthe (3SAAS): (Psalms 22:27; 72:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,17; 127:1; Isaiah 2:1-8; 60:1-22; 66:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; Micah 4:1,2; Zechariah 8:20, 21, 22, 23; 14:9-21; Revelation 7:9; 11:15; 20:2, 3, 4)

The second aspect of the mystery revealed is that the hardening has a definite lifespan and will end as identified by the conjunction until. The prerequisite condition for the hardness to depart is also specified as when the fulness of the Gentiles has come in.

Regarding the conjunction until, Robertson refers to this as "a temporal clause...until which time". (Word Pictures)

Until (891) (achri) in this context is an adverb of time (it can also be used of place but that is not the present context). Here achri is a conjunction expressing time up to a point. Up to what point is the question then? Or when is Until?  When is this partial hardening no longer partial but in fact lifted by God? Paul answers this declaring that it is when the fulness of the Gentiles has come in, at which time all Israel will be saved (Ro 11:26) which in turn is associated with the Deliverer's return or Messiah's Second Coming (Mt 24:31, Zec 12:10, 13:9), which will occur at the end of Daniel's Seventieth Week.

Fullness (4138) (pleroma from pleroo = make full, fill, fill up) describes fullness, a full measure, an abundance or a completion. Pleroma can describe a time period when all that is intended to be done during that period is accomplished. Pleroma is that which has been filled and thus refers to that which is to a sum total, to a complete amount, or a full number, in this case the "full number" of Gentiles who will come to belief in Messiah.  The NET Bible conveys the meaning clearly rendering it...

A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.  (NET Bible)

When all the Gentiles whom God has chosen for salvation during the present age of Israel’s rejection have experienced salvation, God will carry out the events and effects described in Romans 11:26-note.

The fulness of the Gentiles does not necessarily equate with the removal of the church (as stated by C I Scofield) because we know that after the removal of the church there will be a great harvest of souls some of which appear to be Gentiles, John recording that...

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands...These are the ones who (continually) come out of the Great Tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  (Re 7:9; 7:14See notes Re 7:9; 14)

These Gentiles are saved out of the Great Tribulation. Are these the last Gentiles to be saved? Although some associate the "fullness of the Gentiles" with the end of the Great Tribulation others feel the time phrase is more vague.

Morris for example states that...

When the full number (known only to God) has been reached...God will begin again to deal with Israel as His elect nation.  (Morris, Henry: Defenders Study Bible. World Publishing)

Fulness of the Gentiles
vs
Times of the Gentiles

Is the fulness of the Gentiles the same as the times of the Gentiles? They certainly sound similar but notice that fulness is not a synonym of times, so there is some distinction between these terms. Luke introduces the term the fulness of the Gentiles is in chapter 21 teaching that

Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)

What characterizes these times? Is Luke speaking of the salvation of the Gentiles? Clearly, Luke is not referring to the salvation of Gentiles in this passage but to their exercise of political power and/or dominion over the city of Jerusalem by the Gentiles. In marked contrast, Paul speaks of the fulness which does refer to salvation of the Gentiles and not to their dominion over Jerusalem. Although both these descriptions occur over a period of time and that time undoubtedly overlaps significantly, we need to be accurate in our handling of these terms and retain the distinction intended by Luke and Paul. The times of the Gentiles began with the first sacking of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 586BC (Note: that some commentators feel these times begin with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD). In either case these times extend to the Second Coming of Christ, for at that time the Gentile dominion will be removed as Messiah returns, defeats the Gentile powers gather to destroy Israel and sets up His Millennial Kingdom. on earth. At that time God will fulfill His promises to the redeemed nation of Israel, including the promise of "the Land" (see Ge )

Some commentators merge the two statements about the Gentiles. For example Henry Morris writes that...

God is now "[visiting] the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name" (Acts 15:14). When the full number (known only to God) has been reached, then the times of the Gentiles (Ed note: More accurately "the fullness of the Gentiles") will end (Luke 21:24), and God will begin again to deal with Israel as His elect nation.  (Morris, Henry: Defenders Study Bible. World Publishing) (Comment: Morris seems to merge these two phrases together and while certainly overlapping to a large extent, they still describe separate events as Dr Walvoord explains more fully below).

Dr Walvoord explains that...

When the two concepts, the times of the Gentiles and the fullness of the Gentiles are compared, it becomes evident that the times of the Gentiles is primarily a political term and has to do with the political overlordship of Jerusalem.

By contrast, the term the fullness of the Gentiles refers to the present age in which Gentiles predominate in the church and far exceed Israel in present spiritual blessing.

It becomes clear, therefore, that, while the two concepts may be contemporaneous at least for much of their fulfillment, the termini of the two periods are somewhat different. The times of the Gentiles will end only when Israel will permanently gain political control of Jerusalem at the second advent of Christ, whereas the fullness of the Gentiles will be completed when God’s present task of winning Jew and Gentile to Christ is completed. ("The Times of the Gentiles". Bibl Sac Vol 125. Issue 497. Page 9, 1968)

Related Resources - Does the Bible really say that the Jews are "God's chosen people"?; Does God take sides with modern Israel?

And so - In this way, so -The thus seems to correlate with with the until of verse 25, thereby acquiring temporal force, such as "when that has happened."

All Israel - This phrase has been interpreted primarily in one of three ways (and only one can be correct). The "candidate" interpretations are that all Israel is...

1) The NT Church composed of Jews and Gentiles.

2) The elect remnant of believing Jews during this present age.

3) The literal ethnic nation of Israel.

4) Every individual Jew who ever lived - There is absolutely no suggestion elsewhere in Scripture that  Paul means that every individual Jew that ever lived will be saved. (e.g., Mt 11:24 "Nevertheless I (Jesus as He began to reproach the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent) say to you (Jews) that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.")

All Israel will be saved - Notice first, Paul does not say "might be saved" but "will be saved"! This is not just a possibility but is an absolute certainty! And it is to transpire in the future.

Note also that literally the text says all Israel and the plain reading would take this as indicating all of the nation of Israel. In fact, if you are a new Christian who is reading this text and you have not been biased by someone's teaching on this verse, you are probably wondering why give such a lengthy discussion to a topic that seems so obvious on simple reading. In other words, in your reading of the text you probably read Israel and that is what you interpreted it as - Israel.

Unfortunately some commentators spiritualize (see related topics [i.] Art and Science of Interpretation; [ii.] The Rise of Allegorical Interpretation; [iii.] Understanding Symbols and Figures)  this phrase all Israel and distort it to mean "spiritual Israel" or what they interpret to be the "church". In my opinion this interpretation has a faulty foundation for they usually base it on a misinterpretation of the phrase Israel of God in Galatians 6:16 (See [1] notes Israel of God; [2] Table on Israel & Church [3] excellent audio lecture - Is the Church Israel?), where the Church is said to be the spiritual Israel! Without going into the technical arguments (the interested reader is encouraged to review the studies just noted) all through the NT Israel is literally the nation of Israel. (See offsite study on The Use of the Term "Israel" in the NT) To make all Israel anything but literal Israel in this chapter is poor hermeneutics (science of Interpretation). Why do I say that? Remember that context is king in regard to accurate Interpretation. Context and usage of a term by the author (in this case Paul's use of Israel especially in Romans 9-11) are critical in establishing the meaning of a text. We are not  free to interpret terms in any way we would like. What is the immediate context of Romans 11:26? What has Paul clearly been discussing for 3 chapters (Romans 9, 10, 11)? Eleven times (counting Romans 11:25) Paul uses the specific name Israel (Ro 9:6; 27; 31;10:19; 10:21; 11:2; 7; 25; 26-see notes Ro 9:6; 27; 31;10:19; 10:21; 11:2; 7; 25; 26). Take a moment and read each of his uses. How many of them refer to the literal nation of Israel? I think if you take the plain sense of the text as your rule, you will agree that every use prior to Romans 11:26 refers to the literal nation of Israel. Why would Paul try to "fool" us or confuse us by all of a sudden introducing a new, non-literal meaning for the name Israel? That makes no sense whatsoever. The clear, logical conclusion is that Paul intends Romans 11:26 to also indicate the nation of Israel and not the church! Paul in fact has just warned Gentile believers not to be arrogant (twice - see Romans 11:18-note),  conceited (Romans 11:20-note) or wise in your own estimation (note Romans 11:25-note)! A number of Gentile commentators seem to have conveniently disregarded the practical application of Paul's warnings! (E.g., see the offsite analysis of Covenant Theology)

Here is an example from John Calvin a highly respected commentator (and rightly so) who interprets this passage in a non-literal sense writing that...

Many understand this of the Jewish people, as though Paul had said, that religion would again be restored among them as before: but I extend the word Israel to all the people of God, according to this meaning, — “When the Gentiles shall come in, the Jews also shall return from their defection to the obedience of faith; and thus shall be completed the salvation of the whole Israel of God, which must be gathered from both; and yet in such a way that the Jews shall obtain the first place, being as it were the first-born in God’s family.”

Do you see what Calvin has done with Romans 11:26? He is saying that Israel in this passage is not just the Jews but is all the people of God, both Gentile and Jew. Now think about the logic of Calvin's interpretation -- Why would Paul have to clarify a mystery if all those who are of the household of faith, both Jew and Gentile, who are going to come to faith, will eventually come to faith?! That is hardly a mystery to say that all those who will be saved, will in fact be saved!

It is interesting to read the interpretation by Charles Hodge who is a covenant theologian and therefore one who we would expect would spiritualize all Israel, but he does not writing that...

From the context (Ed note: Notice what Hodge uses as his plumbline to aid accurate interpretation of this passage - context), Israel here must mean the Jewish people, and all Israel the whole nation. The Jews, as a people, are now rejected; as a people they are to be restored. As their rejection, although national, did not include the rejection of every individual, so their restoration, though also national, need not include the salvation of every individual Jew. All Israel does not mean here all the true people of God, as Augustine, Calvin, and others explain it; nor all the elect Jews — i.e., all that part of the nation which constitute “the remnant according to the election of grace” — but the whole nation, as a nation. (Hodge, Charles: Commentary on Romans. Ages Classic Commentaries  or Logos) (Bolding added) (To this interpretation we can only say "Amen!")

David Brown in Jameison, Fausset and Brown although an older commentary has an excellent comment writing that...

To understand this great statement, as some still do, merely of such a gradual inbringing of individual Jews, that there shall at length remain none in unbelief, is to do manifest violence both to it and to the whole context. It can only mean the ultimate ingathering of Israel as a nation, in contrast with the present “remnant.” (So Tholuck, Meyer, De Wette, Philippi, Alford, Hodge). Three confirmations of this now follow: two from the prophets, and a third from the Abrahamic covenant itself. (Commentary on Romans 11:26)

John Piper agrees observing that...

In the context of Ro 11:12 (note "their fulfillment"),  Ro 11:15 (note "their acceptance...life from the dead"), it is unwarranted to interpret all Israel here to mean anything other than corporate, ethnic Israel. So one of my guiding principles in reading Old Testament prophecy about Israel is that there is a glorious future ahead, when Israel will repent, turn to Christ, and be saved. (Read his full sermon There Shall Be A Fountain Opened) (Amen!)

In summary, all Israel in Romans 11:26 means all Israel. (See Master's Thesis paper by Matthew Waymeyer (Pdf) - Romans 11:26 The Identity of "All Israel"

The next question is when will all Israel be saved? What is the nearest time phrase? Clearly Paul has given us a clue for he has just stated that this will not occur until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. The terminus of this event as discussed is difficult to state with absolute dogmatism. The juxtaposition with another event however that can be accurately "timed" gives us a strong clue. In other words, in this same verse Paul describes the return of Israel's Messiah. Therefore one can reasonably associate the time in which all Israel will be saved with the time of the return of Christ, which we know from other passages occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation.

All Israel will be saved. This will take place when Christ returns to earth to establish His  millennial kingdom centered in Jerusalem (Zec 12:8, 9, 10, 13:1,14:9), following the Great Tribulation period (Mt 24:15, 21) (see Daniel's Seventieth Week)

Will be saved (4982) (sozo) (Click in depth study on sozo) has the basic meaning of rescuing one from great peril and here refers to salvation in a spiritual sense (God granting repentance and regeneration). Additional nuances of sozo include to protect, keep alive, preserve life, heal, make whole.

The complete restoration of Israel will climax the purging trials of "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer 30:7), which corresponds to the time Jesus referred to as "the Great Tribulation" (Mt 24:21)

How will God bring about the fulfillment of all Israel will be saved? Let's look first at a passage in Zechariah that is clearly prophetic and has no identifiable fulfillment in history so that it must be yet future. The prophet records...

(God declares) "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd (God the Son, the Messiah), and against the man, My Associate (one in close, united relation)," Declares the LORD of hosts (God the Father). "Strike (beat, wound, slay, kill, smite) the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered (dispersed, scattered abroad); And I will turn My hand against the little ones.
8 "And it will come about in all the land," Declares the LORD, "That two parts in it will be cut off (karath - severe something from something) and perish (die); But the third will be left in it.
9 "And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'" (Zechariah 13:7, 8, 9)

Comment: Zechariah 13:7 is quoted by Jesus in Matthew 26:31 and Mark 14:27 as He identifies Himself as the Shepherd. To strike the Shepherd is clearly a prophecy of the Crucifixion. Although some take the sheep may be scattered as referring to the disciples, the alternative interpretation favored by Arnold Fruchtenbaum (in his book The Footsteps of the Messiah) is that Messiah's "sheep, Israel, were scattered throughout the world" which is in fact what happened in the dispersion of the Jews after Messiah was Crucified. And so what we see verse 7 is a reference to Messiah's first coming and verses 8-9 a reference to His Second coming. (see discussion of time gaps in prophecy) Why do we say that? Because there is no time in history in which 2/3's of Israel has been killed (Hitler killed about 1/3 in the Holocaust). Furthermore, notice the results regarding the remaining 1/3. They will be refined (refined by the time of Jacob's trouble, the Great Tribulation) and call on My Name (if you have been to Israel today you know that most of modern Israel is secular not orthodox so this prophecy has not yet been fulfilled).  Thus Zechariah is describing events which are yet future when 1/3 will survive the purging and constitute the all Israel who will be saved.

As John MacArthur says "From the midst of their fiery refinement, the elect remnant of Israel will see Jesus Christ, their Messiah and call on Him as their Savior and Lord. Israel will thus be saved and restored to covenant relationship with the Lord." To reiterate this is the all Israel who will be saved in Romans 11:26 - it is the 1/3 of the nation of Israel who believe on their Messiah.

John MacArthur explains that all Israel refers to...

All the elect Jewish people alive at the end of the Tribulation, not the believing remnant of Jews within the church during this church age. Before all Israel is saved, its unbelieving, ungodly members will be separated out by God’s inerrant hand of judgment. Ezekiel makes that truth vividly clear  (Ezekiel 20:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, cf. Da 12:10; Zech 13:8, 9) (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos)

In Daniel's great prophecy that begins in Daniel 10 and runs unbroken through Daniel 12 (it is all one subject), Daniel relates God's prophecy concerning His dealings with Israel, many of these prophecies having already been fulfilled in history (especially the section of Daniel 11:34), but from Daniel 11:35-12:13 is future prophecy regarding Israel. In this section Daniel has passages that parallel Zechariah 13:7, 8, 9 and speak of God's final purging of Israel which result in the saved remnant of one third...

And some of those (Israel) who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure, until the end time (here is another "time gap" which jumps at least 2000 years to the time of the end, almost certainly the Great Tribulation); because it is still to come at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:35)

Many (context = Jews) will be purged, purified and refined; but the wicked (Jews) will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. (Daniel 12:10)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes that...

All Israel will be saved does not mean that every Jew living at Christ’s return will be regenerated. Many of them will not be saved, as seen by the fact that the judgment of Israel, to follow soon after the Lord’s return, will include the removal of Jewish rebels (Ezekiel 20:34, 35, 36, 37, 38). Following this judgment God will then remove godlessness and sins from the nation as He establishes His New Covenant with regenerate Israel (cf. Jer. 31:33-34). (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1985. Victor or Logos)

Ezekiel 20 is mentioned in both of the preceding comments and describes the time when Christ will enter into judgment with those Jews who have survived the Great Tribulation. As described below He will determine who is saved and only the Jews He brings into the Covenant (the text does not state it, but undoubtedly those Jews who are saved at this time will be saved by grace through faith) will enter into His Millennial Kingdom. Ezekiel records

33 "As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out (this wrath cumulates in the last 3.5 years, the Great Tribulation), I shall be king over you (cp, Jesus' Second Coming which John describes as the "King of kings" which parallels this passage in Ezekiel - see Revelation 19:16-note).  34 And I shall bring you (Israel, all ethnic Jews) out from the peoples (the Gentiles) and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out (note emphasis of wrath - see similar phrase in note on Revelation 16:1 - this verse introduces the last 7 Bowl Judgments which occur in the last 3.5 years);  35 and I shall bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I shall enter into judgment with you face to face.  36 "As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you," declares the Lord GOD.  37 "And I shall make you pass under the rod, and I shall bring you into the bond of the covenant (save them as they express personal faith in the New Covenant -Jeremiah 31:31 - see study of New Covenant in the Old Testament);  38 and I shall purge from you the (Jewish) rebels and those (Jews) who transgress against Me; I shall bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they will not enter the land of Israel (Millennial Kingdom). Thus you will know that I am the LORD.  (Ezekiel 20:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) (Some think this time of judgment described by Ezekiel refers to the judgment that occurs during the "Tribulation", especially the last 3.5 years but others favor a separate time of Judgment when the King will separate the believing and unbelieving Jews at the time of His return, much like the separate judgment of the Gentile "sheep and goats" - see Mt 25:31ff. These respective judgments determine who enters the Millennial Kingdom in the flesh so to speak. They are those who will "people" the kingdom. It is notable that all allowed into the Messianic Kingdom initially will be believers.)

The Messianic Jew Arnold Fruchtenbaum commenting on Ezekiel's prophecy writes that...

The rebels among the Jewish people will be purged out by this judgment. Only then will the whole new nation, a regenerate nation, be allowed to enter the Promised Land under King Messiah. (Fruchtenbaum, A. G. The Footsteps of the Messiah : A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events. Rev. ed.. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries)

See also Arnold Fruchtenbaum's series:

Israelology: Part 1 of 6  Introduction: Definition of Terms
Israelology: Part 2 of 6  Israel Present (Note: Article begins on Page 2)
Israelology: Part 3 of 6  Israel Present (Continued)
Israelology: Part 4 of 6 - Israel Future (Part One)
Israelology: Part 5 of 6 - Israel Future (Part Two)
Israelology: Part 6 of 6 Other Relevant Topics - Illustrations of Israel (including marriage)

JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION": kathos gegraptai (3SRPI)  hexei (3SFAI) ek Sion ho rhuomenos (PMPMSN): (Matthew 1:21; Acts 3:26; Titus 2:14)

As it is written - This is a "formula" that speaks of an Old Testament reference.

Written (1125) (grapho) is in the perfect tense which emphasizes the lasting and binding authority of that which was written. It has been written at some point in time in the past and it "stands" written.

In Psalm 14:7 David cries out in prayer...

Oh, that the salvation (Hebrew = Yeshuah [3444] - Jesus' Hebrew name is Yeshua [3442], cp Mt 1:21 "Jesus...will save His people from their sins" - Jesus is the "Salvation of Israel")  of Israel would come out of Zion (Jerusalem, see Isaiah 2:3)! When the LORD restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.

Note that at the Second Coming Christ's feet touch the the Mount of Olives  (the very place of His Ascension - cp Acts 1:9, 10, 11) which splits from north to south (see Zech 14:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). Here in Romans 11:26 Christ fulfills the prediction that “THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION.” In the frequent mention of Christ in His Second Coming in relation to Zion as revealed in the Old Testament, the prophets predict both that Christ will come to Zion (cp Zech 14:1-9) and that thereafter He will come out of Zion as indicated by the following passages

May He send you help from the sanctuary, and support you from Zion! (Psalm 20:2)

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His captive people, Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. (Psalm 53:6)

The LORD will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, saying, "Rule in the midst of Thine enemies. (Ps 110:2)

Comment: Ryrie writes that "At His second coming (during the Millennium) Messiah will rule this earth from Zion (Jerusalem) on the throne of David (Is 2:3-note; Is 4:3, 4, 5-note; Zech. 8:3; 14:3).

And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isa 2:3-note)

And the LORD roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. (Joel 3:16)

Comment: Note the context - the previous verse says "15 The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars lose their brightness." which perfectly parallels Mt 24:29, 30, the signs that signal the Second Coming of the Lord.

To reiterate, here in Romans 11:26 we encounter God's answer to David's prayer. Sometimes God's answers are delayed for a while! This is an interesting principle to keep in mind when we don't receive or perceive God has answered our cries to Him. And another reason to keep praying without ceasing! Don't grow weary. You have not seen the end of the story.

Paul now substantiates the declaration concerning the future of Israel by appealing to the witness of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah citing his words from Isaiah 59:20, 21 and Isaiah 60:1, Isaiah 27:9...

Isaiah 59:20 And a Redeemer (Hebrew = Ga'al/Goel [see word study on Kinsman Redeemer]; Septuagint [Lxx] = rhuomai = deliver, Deliverer) will come to Zion, and to those who turn (Hebrew = shub [7725] = turn back, repent, turn away from [see use in Ezek 14:6]; Lxx = apostrepho =  turn away from) from transgression (Hebrew = pesha = fundamental idea of root is breach of relationships, between parties; Lxx = asebeia = ungodliness) in Jacob," declares the LORD. 21 And as for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the LORD, "from now and forever."

Comment: What covenant? This is the New Covenant first promised in a Jewish context in Jeremiah 31:31. Who is the covenant with? God says with them and in context them are the Jews who turn from transgression, which would correlate with those who are saved in Romans 11:26.  Note that it is God Who initiates the New Covenant and in it He promises, pledges and binds Himself to Israel (those who are saved by grace through faith) so that He becomes their God and they become His people (these are now the Jews not just outwardly by lineage, but inwardly by the Spirit [ Romans 2:28; 29-note] Who circumcises their heart and gives them a new heart [see Deut 30:6, Ezekiel 36:26,27]).

It is interesting and somewhat sad to see how we Gentiles in the church age during which Israel is partially hardened, so quickly overlook (or perhaps have never been taught) that the New Covenant was first promised to Israel, not to the Gentiles, and that the New Covenant was inaugurated as it were by a Jew (Yeshua) in the company of 11 fellow Jews (His disciples at the Last Supper, which was actually the Jewish Passover!).

This background helps one understand Isaiah's prophecy and the fulfillment of that prophetic promise to Israel in Romans 11:25, 26, 27, for the gifts and calling and covenant of God with His chosen people are irrevocable.

To be sure, then, the New Covenant has a distinctly Jewish "flavor" but notice how Jesus described the New Covenant to His Jewish disciples declaring

this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (Mt 26:28).

Who is included in the many? Jesus answers for us in John declaring that

as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name (John 1:12).

Praise God, the many is any who believe and thus God has flung the door wide open for we Gentiles to also enter into the New Covenant by grace through faith. What can we do but fall on faces in worship and thanksgiving, echoing Paul's great anthem of praise...

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Romans 11:33-note)

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

Compare Isaiah 60:1 to the following passage...

Isaiah 27:9 Therefore through this Jacob's iniquity will be forgiven; And this will be the full price of the pardoning of his sin: When he makes all the altar stones like pulverized chalk stones; When Asherim and incense altars will not stand.

Deliverer (4506) (rhuomai from rhúo = to draw, drag along the ground) (Click for in depth study of rhuomai) means to draw or snatch to oneself and invariably refers to a snatching from danger, evil or an enemy. This basic idea of rescuing from danger is pictured by the use describing a soldier’s going to a wounded comrade on the battlefield and carrying him to safety (he runs to the cry of his comrade to rescue him from the hands of the enemy).

Rhuomai emphasizes the greatness of the peril from which deliverance is given by a mighty act of power. Rhuomai is more the idea of rescue or draw to oneself whereas sozo is more the idea of preserve from.

In the Septuagint (LXX) Rhuomai translates the Hebrew word ga'al (see ISBE article on Goel). in

HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB: apostrepsei (3SFAI) asebeias apo Iakob: (Matthew 1:21; Acts 3:26; Titus 2:14)

He will remove (654) (apostrepho from apo = away from, a marker of dissociation, implying a rupture from a former association and indicates separation, departure, cessation, reversal + strepho = turn quite around, twist, reverse, turn oneself about) means literally to turn back or away

In the present context apostrepho means to remove anything from anyone, in this case to remove ungodliness. See the discussion of Ezekiel 20:33-38 in the preceding section where God states that He will purge the rebels and they will not enter into the the land of Israel (Millennial Kingdom)

Ungodliness (763) (asebeia from asebes = impious, ungodly, wicked from a = w/o + sébomai = worship, venerate) means want or lack of reverence or piety toward God (which speaks of one's heart attitude) and thus living without regard for God and in a way that denies His existence and right as Supreme Ruler and Authority (which speaks of one's actions emanating from one's attitude). This word suggests an utter disregard for the existence of God and leads naturally to a lack of reverence or awe for God. Such a person will live in a way that denies God's existence and His right as Supreme Ruler and Authority.

BDAG adds that in general asebeia...

From Jacob (Dictionary Articles) - Jacob in this context is not individuals per se but stands for Israel, specifically all those in Israel who will repent and place their faith in Yeshua their Messiah. Note that the name Jacob is never used to refer to the church, another piece of evidence that undercuts the interpretation of those who would try to equate the Church with Israel in the phrase all Israel will be saved.

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Our Heavenly Father - As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. --Psalm 103:13 (Spurgeon's note)

In a moment of exasperation, a father told me that if his son continued in his rebellious ways he was going to disinherit him and try to forget him. But I knew that father well. Although he was angry, hurt, and disappointed, I was sure he would never quit loving his son and longing for his conversion.

Good parents cannot forget how they cared for their children as infants, how they helped them take their first steps, and how they shared with them in both happy and painful growing-up experiences. But when children choose a sinful lifestyle, even good parents, after repeated pleas and warnings, may have no choice but to let them go their own way. Parents will do so with broken hearts and with the undying hope that their prodigal will one day return.

In Hosea 11, God is portrayed as Israel's Father. Because the nation had disobeyed, He had pleaded with them and chastened them time and time again. Yet they refused to change their ways. Finally, God withdrew from them and let them learn the hard way. Yet even then, He could not and would not completely abandon them. One day He will draw them back to Himself (Romans 11:26-27).

God loves His children today with that same kind of tough love. What a wonderful heavenly Father! —Herbert Vander Lugt (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Related Resources on Covenant...

Covenant: As It Relates to Marriage
Covenant: Why Study It?
Covenant: Introduction

Lesson 1 Covenant: Summary Table
Lesson 2 Covenant: The Exchange of Robes
Lesson 3 Covenant: The Exchange of Armor and Belts
Lesson 4 Covenant: Solemn and Binding
Lesson 5 Covenant: A Walk Into Death
Lesson 6 Covenant: The Oneness of Covenant
Covenant: Oneness Notes
Lesson 7 Covenant: Withholding Nothing from God
Lesson 8 Covenant: Abrahamic versus Mosaic
Lesson 9 Covenant: New Covenant in the Old Testament
Lesson 10 Covenant: Why the New is Better
Lesson 11 Covenant: Abrahamic vs Old vs New

Covenant (1242) (diatheke from diatithemi = set out in order, dispose in a certain order <> from dia = two + tithemi = to place pictures that which is placed between two Thus, a covenant is something placed between two = thus an arrangement between two parties) literally conveys the idea of a testament, as in one's last will and testament.

A covenant is an agreement between two parties that binds them together and conveys the associated ideas of very close fellowship (even oneness and identity as for example in the marriage covenant where two mystically become one flesh).

Diatheke is used over 330 times in Septuagint (LXX) most often (some 270 times) to translate the Hebrew word Beriyth (01285). See the excellent ISBE article Covenant In The Old Testament. As discussed elsewhere, the ordinary Greek word for a compact was syntheke but this term was avoided by the Septuagint translators because it suggested the equal rank of the two parties, whereas the OT Beriyth is used for "a relationship between God and man graciously created by God, and only accepted by man".

In the NT, OT and LXX diatheke refers to a declaration of the will of God concerning His self-commitment, promises, and conditions by which he entered into relationship with man and with the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In Isaiah God invited Israel to...

Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David. (Isaiah 55:3)

And as for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the LORD, "from now and forever." (Isaiah 59:21)

This is My covenant - What covenant? This refers to the New Covenant, which is in a sense a continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant, which was also an unconditional covenant, based on God's grace (i.e., not one's merit), initiated by God and entered into by personal faith.

In Jeremiah God makes a covenant promise to Israel that He will surely keep because He is a covenant keeping God.

Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 "And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know (Yada - speaks of intimacy - it was the word used for a man "knowing" his wife in the most intimate way. Yada is often used in Scripture in a protective sense and refers to God’s providential care and love, which includes the eternal security of believers and His divine provision. It means that God looks out for His righteous ones) Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jeremiah 31:31-34) (Comment: Although this is the sole record of the phrase "new covenant", the truth of this covenant is expressed in a number of other OT passages - see discussion of the New Covenant in the Old Testament)

When I take away their sin - What time is when?  Many feel that this promise will be fulfilled by Messiah upon His return at the end of the Seven Year "Tribulation" or at the end of Daniel's Seventieth Week.

In the Olivet Discourse Messiah explained that...

immediately after the tribulation of those days (the last 3.5 years of Daniel's Seventieth Week = Great Tribulation) THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky ("the sign" = Himself in the sky), and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN (one of Jesus' favorite names for Himself) COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Mt 24:29-31) (Comment: The elect would include the one-third of Israel who were to be saved.)

To reiterate, neither Jesus nor Paul is saying that every Jew who has ever lived will be saved but only those who are among the elect or the chosen (the remnant) who are alive when Messiah returns. The elect will be those who place their faith in Messiah and be saved.

Jehovah had promised deliverance through His prophet Zechariah who recorded that...

it will come about in all the land" Declares Jehovah, "That two parts in it  will be cut off and perish (in context "land" refers to the Jews), but the third will be left in it.  And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them (so clearly Jehovah is not referring to the land but to the people, those people) as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They (again this clearly indicates people not land) will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God." (Zechariah 13:8, 9, compare Ezekiel 20:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, Daniel 12:10). (Comment: This one third of Israel is the all Israel that will be saved, all those who are of the elect or the remnant. They shall all be saved. But they shall be saved by personal faith in the Messiah, for salvation has always been by grace and personal faith. See Ep 2:8,9-note)

In the previous chapter Zechariah recorded Jehovah's gift of grace on the elect remnant of Jews...

And I (Jehovah) will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me Whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. (Zechariah 12:10) (Comment: This passage is clearly teaches that at the Second Coming of Messiah, Israel [one third of the nation] will have the scales lifted off their eyes and will recognize Yeshua as their Goel or Redeemer, and will acknowledge with deep contrition that He was the One Whom their forefathers pierced [John 19:37, cp Revelation 1:7-note]).

Take away (cut off) (851) (aphaireo from apó = from + hairéo = take) means to put or take something away from its normal location, to put out of the way or to remove. It means to cause to cease. In the present context, aphaireo means to take away their sins and to procure the forgiveness of sin. Praise God He is able to take away the sins of both Jew and Gentile.
 

The prophet Isaiah alludes to this taking away of Israel's sins...

(Jehovah speaking) "I, even I, am the One Who wipes out (Hebrew = machah = blot out utterly; Lxx = exaleipho =  to cause to disappear by wiping, o remove so as to leave no trace, to obliterate) your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25)

(Jehovah speaking) "I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." (Isaiah 44:22)

Peter exhorts his unregenerate Jewish audience in Acts 3 to...

Repent (aorist imperative) therefore and return (aorist imperative), that your sins may be wiped away (exaleipho = erased = Ancient writing was upon papyrus and the ink had no acid in it so  therefore it did not bite into the papyrus like modern ink, but simply lay on top of it. To erase the writing a man simply wiped it away with a wet sponge. Even so God wipes out the sin of the forgiven man or woman, Jew or Gentile. Hallelujah!), in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you (Acts 3:19-20)

The prophet Micah asks...

Who is a God like Thee, Who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love (because of His covenant to which He is bound). He will again have compassion on us (as amplified here in Romans 11:25, 26). He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18, 19) (Comment: This promise was fulfilled in part in Acts for the remnant of Jews who believed in Messiah in response to Peter's preaching, but awaits its complete fulfillment at the return of the Deliverer).

The psalmist testifies that...

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12) (See Spurgeon's Comment)

Jeremiah explains how completely Messiah will take away their sins writing that...

And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jer 31:34)

'In those days and at that time (What time? At the end of this age and beginning of the  millennium),' declares the LORD, 'search will be made for the iniquity of Israel, but there will be none; and for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found; for I shall pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.' (Jeremiah 50:20)

In Ezekiel God reiterates that at the end of this age...