All of Israel?

[Jerm]

I need help with this particular passage.  In Romans 11:26 when Paul writes about all of Israel being saved, I have previously seen that argued as pointing to universal salvation.  However, Paul states earlier that not all of Israel is the true Israel and only the Remnant is the true Israel.  So, would it then stand to reason that the "false" Israelites won't be saved or this another meaning behind this passage?

[bobf]

I need help with this particular passage.  In Romans 11:26 when Paul writes about all of Israel being saved, I have previously seen that argued as pointing to universal salvation.  However, Paul states earlier that not all of Israel is the true Israel and only the Remnant is the true Israel.  So, would it then stand to reason that the "false" Israelites won't be saved or this another meaning behind this passage?

Hi Jerm,

Not all Israel (by physical descent) are Israel (born of the Spirit of Christ).

Romans 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Physical Israel is composed of two parts:
1. Elect who have obtained it.
2. Rest who were blinded.

But the blinded part will be made unblind.  My comments in brackets.

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel [to the blinded part of physical Israel, spiritual Israel by definition can not be called 'blind'], until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel [including the part now blinded] shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness [blindness to the gospel] from Jacob [from the blinded part]: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins [including unbelief of the gospel].

God says this regarding those who were blinded.

Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they [the blinded part]are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election [looking forward to when they will be unblinded, God calls them 'elect'], they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

So all Israel is not Israel, but it will be.

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Note that the word 'might' here does not mean 'maybe'.  It is 'might' (subjunctive) because it is based on a condition.

Romans 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

One example of many where 'might' does not mean 'maybe'.

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Condition: "I lay down my life, that..."
Purpose: "I might take it again"

Condition: "God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that..."
Purpose: "He might have mercy upon all."

Finally, even if someone insists that 'might' means 'might' then you are safe in believing that God MIGHT have mercy on all!