New Testament · Letter

Romans 11:26

The Olive Tree

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. Romans 11:26 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Romans 11:26, in plain English

Here's what's coming: all Israel will be saved, just as the prophets wrote—the Deliverer will come from Zion and remove sin from Jacob.

Why it's here

Paul is quoting Isaiah 59:20-21 to show that God promised restoration and redemption for Israel. This isn't Paul's personal interpretation; it's what the Old Testament prophets already said. He's telling the church: this shouldn't shock you. God said it would happen.

Who's speaking

Paul, quoting the prophet Isaiah

Where it sits in the story

This connects directly to the prophetic hope that runs through the Old Testament. Even in exile and judgment, God promised that His people would experience restoration. Paul is saying that promise is being fulfilled in God's time.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

Paul declares that ultimately all Israel will be saved—not through works or tribal membership, but through the coming of the Deliverer from Zion who removes sin, drawing on Isaiah's vision of redemption.

Language and setting

The phrase 'all Israel' (pas Israel) has generated centuries of exegetical debate—does it mean ethnic Israel, the true Israel, or the church? The most rigorous historical-critical reading, following scholars like E. P. Sanders and N. T. Wright, understands this as ethnic Israel, Paul's own kinsmen, saved through faith in Christ as the Redeemer figure. This contradicts supersessionist readings that claim the church is 'Israel.' Paul's quotation of Isaiah 59:20-21 LXX grounds this in Israel's own prophetic tradition.

Voice

Paul

Significance

This verse represents the climax of Romans 11's argument and answers the question posed in 11:1: 'Has God rejected His people?' Emphatically no. The story moves from Jewish rejection (chapters 9-10) through Gentile inclusion (11:1-24) to the eschatological restoration of both (11:25-32), envisioning a future where the divisions created by the crucifixion are finally healed.

In context

Romans 11:24–28

24For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.

27And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

28Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.

Read all of Romans 11 — Israel's stumbling opened the door for the Gentiles, but the story isn't over. The roots are holy, and God can graft broken branches back in.

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