Romans 11 27
What is Romans 11:27 about? Read the meaning and summary with full commentary explained, historical context, verse insights, word analysis, and cross-references.
Romans chapter 11 - The Olive Tree And The Remnant Of Israel
Romans 11 articulates the strategic purpose behind Israel’s partial hardening, which opened the door for Gentile inclusion into God's family. This chapter uses the horticulture metaphor of an olive tree to warn Gentiles against spiritual pride while promising a future national restoration for Israel. It concludes with a majestic doxology praising the unsearchable depth of God’s wisdom.
Romans 11:27
ESV: "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
KJV: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
NIV: And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
NKJV: For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
NLT: And this is my covenant with them,
that I will take away their sins."
Meaning
Romans 11:27 declares God's future covenant with Israel, affirming that His special promise to them is bound to His action of removing their sins. This signifies a complete spiritual restoration and reconciliation of the Jewish people, distinct from individual conversions throughout history. It is a divine, eschatological work, highlighting God's faithfulness to His enduring purposes for His chosen nation, confirming their collective redemption.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 59:20-21 | "And a Redeemer will come to Zion... This is my covenant with them..." | Old Testament source of the covenant promise |
| Jer 31:31-34 | "I will make a new covenant... I will forgive their iniquity..." | Prophecy detailing the New Covenant's nature |
| Heb 8:8-12 | Quoting Jer 31, elaborates on the New Covenant and God's forgiveness. | New Covenant applied to all who believe |
| Heb 10:16-17 | Another quote of Jer 31, emphasizing complete removal of sins. | Confirms the New Covenant's promise of forgiveness |
| Ezek 36:25-27 | "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean... new heart" | Prophecy of spiritual cleansing and regeneration |
| Zech 12:10 | "they will look on me, on him whom they have pierced, and mourn..." | Prophecy of national repentance and forgiveness |
| Luke 22:20 | "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." | New Covenant established through Christ's sacrifice |
| Matt 26:28 | "this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for forgiveness" | Christ's atoning blood and sin forgiveness |
| Acts 3:19 | "Repent... that your sins may be blotted out." | Apostolic call to Israel for repentance and pardon |
| Rom 11:26 | "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written..." | Immediate context: corporate salvation of Israel |
| Isa 27:9 | "Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be atoned for..." | OT foreshadowing of atonement for Israel's sin |
| Col 2:13-14 | "forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt..." | God's comprehensive forgiveness for believers |
| Acts 2:38 | "Repent and be baptized... for the forgiveness of your sins." | The message of sin forgiveness proclaimed to Jews |
| Isa 43:25 | "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake..." | God's divine act of erasing transgressions |
| Micah 7:18-19 | "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity... cast all our sins into sea" | God's unique and profound forgiveness |
| Zech 3:9 | "I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day." | Prophecy of a sudden, complete removal of iniquity |
| Ps 32:1 | "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." | The blessedness of divine pardon |
| Isa 44:22 | "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud..." | Vivid imagery of God completely removing sins |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive..." | Condition for individual forgiveness through Christ |
| Eph 1:7 | "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" | Forgiveness rooted in Christ's atoning redemption |
| Heb 9:22 | "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." | Necessity of blood atonement for pardon |
| Jer 50:20 | "iniquity shall be sought in Israel... none shall be found, for I will pardon" | Prophecy of future total absence of Israel's sin |
| Rom 11:15 | "what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?" | Implication of Israel's future national restoration |
Context
Romans chapters 9-11 form a cohesive unit where Paul grapples with the question of Israel's rejection of Jesus as Messiah and God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. After discussing individual election in chapter 9 and Israel's present unbelief and Gentile inclusion in chapter 10, chapter 11 asserts that God has not permanently cast away His people. Paul illustrates that Israel's hardening is partial and temporary, ultimately leading to the full inclusion of Gentiles, and then their own eventual national restoration. Verse 27, drawn from Old Testament prophecy (specifically Isa 59:20-21 and Jer 31:33-34), serves as a climactic promise of God's faithfulness, confirming that the "all Israel" mentioned in verse 26 will be saved through a definitive divine act of covenant renewal and sin removal. This particular verse provides the foundational promise of how this salvation will occur—through the ultimate and complete forgiveness of their national sin.
Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): A crucial conjunction linking this verse directly as an explanation and consequence of the "salvation of all Israel" (Rom 11:26). It emphasizes the integrated nature of God's plan.
- this (τοῦτο - touto): A demonstrative pronoun that points forward, signifying that the essence or identifying characteristic of this covenant for Israel is the taking away of their sins.
- is (ἔσται - estai): The future tense of "to be" ("will be"), unequivocally places the full realization of this specific covenant promise in a definite, certain future, by God's unwavering design.
- my (μου - mou): A possessive pronoun, strongly asserting God's sole ownership and authorship of this covenant. It is solely based on His initiative, grace, and faithfulness.
- covenant (διαθήκη - diathēkē): This significant Greek term denotes a divine, often unilateral, solemn agreement or testament established by God. It directly alludes to the "New Covenant" prophesied in Jeremiah, signifying a fundamental, enduring relationship.
- with them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Dative plural, directly identifying the beneficiaries as the Jewish people ("all Israel" from Rom 11:26), reinforcing God's specific and persistent focus on His chosen nation.
- when (ὅταν - hotan): A temporal conjunction, specifying the decisive moment or condition for this covenant's ultimate fulfillment. It highlights that the removal of sins is the definitive action ushering in this restoration.
- I take away (ἀφέλωμαι - aphelōmai): An aorist subjunctive, expressing a definite and complete divine act. Aphaireō (to take away, remove) suggests a comprehensive, final, and total abolition of sin, emphasizing God’s sovereign power and commitment.
- their (αὐτῶν - autōn): Possessive, again referring to "all Israel," underscoring that the specific sins to be removed are those of the Jewish people as a national entity.
- sins (ἁμαρτίας - hamartias): Plural, denoting collective moral failings, transgressions, and rebellion against God. This emphasizes a thorough divine purification, eradicating the spiritual estrangement that historically existed.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "And this will be my covenant": This phrase clearly articulates the definitive nature of God's pledge to Israel. It's a re-emphasis on God's foundational promises, highlighting that the ultimate salvation of "all Israel" is inseparable from the terms of His self-established covenant. This is not a new covenant in its entirety but its climactic application to the nation of Israel.
- "with them, when I take away their sins": This part specifies the recipients as Israel and pinpoints the precise character and timing of the covenant's full realization. The complete removal of sins is not merely a judicial pardon but a comprehensive, transforming divine work. It addresses the collective guilt and spiritual condition of Israel, ensuring a restored relationship marked by complete divine forgiveness and cleansing, aligning perfectly with the New Covenant's spiritual promises.
Commentary
Romans 11:27 forms a cornerstone of Paul's theological argument in chapters 9-11, asserting God's enduring and covenantal faithfulness to the nation of Israel. This verse explicitly roots the future national salvation of Israel (Rom 11:26) in an act of divine forgiveness, drawing directly from Old Testament prophecies, especially the promise of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31. The "taking away their sins" is a comprehensive, transforming act initiated solely by God, signifying not just judicial pardon, but a complete spiritual renewal that reconciles Israel as a whole with their Messiah. It demonstrates that God's plans are unchangeable and that He will ultimately bring His chosen people into the full blessings of the New Covenant, mirroring the spiritual experience of all individual believers in Christ.
Bonus section
This specific declaration underscores the eschatological hope for a future, widespread national awakening and restoration for Israel. The covenant God refers to is ultimately the New Covenant, universally applied to individual believers in Christ, but here with a particular future fulfillment for the collective Jewish nation. The phrase "take away their sins" implies an atonement, specifically through Christ's work, which will be accepted and applied when "all Israel" turns to Him. This future event serves as a powerful testament to God's steadfast mercy, confirming His original election and purpose for Israel are irrevocable, ultimately leading to their spiritual rebirth and full participation in the body of Christ. This restoration will also profoundly impact the world, demonstrating God's consistent plan of redemption to all nations.
Read romans 11 chapter and explore various translations, from word-for-word KJV and ESV to thought-for-thought NIV and NLT.
Explore how God uses the rejection of some to bring life to the world, ultimately aiming to show mercy to all. Begin your study with romans 11 summary.
See how the 'grafting' process reverses nature, as a wild branch is made to share the root of a cultivated tree. The Word Secret is Pleroma, often translated as 'fullness,' indicating that history is moving toward a specific numeric and spiritual completion of both Gentiles and Jews. This suggests that your faith is part of a massive, synchronized global puzzle that God is assembling. Discover the riches with romans 11 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Explore romans 11 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines