Romans 11:25-27

A Mystery Now Revealed

A popular genre of literature or television is that of mystery. Typically, unsolved mysteries. You are often walked through a particular event that occurred and given a series of fact, potential suspects, and various outcomes, yet the mystery itself remains unsolved. Many of the wisest detectives will spend an entire lifetime devoted to solving a mystery.

From the Old Testament into the New, the divine mystery of God and His saving plan was much like an unsolved mystery. For thousands of years, Israel was well aware that the Messiah was to come and bring salvation to the people. Exactly how this was to unfold was a mystery. Similarly, the prophets declared that not only would the nation of Israel receive the benefits of salvation but also the Gentile nations as well.

As Jesus arrives on the scene, the mystery of God is now completely revealed. This is exactly what the author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 1:1–3 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

This is the mystery Paul speaks of in His epistles. What was once a shadow of the substance to come has not been fully revealed. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. And because of this wonderful redemptive act, we are given the privilege by way of our union with Christ to be co-heirs with him. The text today provides us with the manifestation of these divine mysteries with the application as such, “Cherish your union with Christ.”

Cherish your union with Christ.

[1] The mystery of God’s salvation (v. 25a)

[2] The mystery of God’s decree (v. 25b)

[3] The mystery of God’s guarantee (v. 26a)

[4] The mystery of God’s Deliverer (vv. 26b-27)

[1] The mystery of God’s salvation (v. 25a)

Romans 11:25 “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

“Wise in your own sight” - a calling against presuming that one would have the answers to this. It is part of the divine mystery and counsel of God, hence Paul will summarize this in vv. 33-36.

Mystery - used of certain single events decreed by God having reference to his kingdom or the salvation of men.

In the Old Testament, it is a relation to the secret element of God’s plan that has been hidden away from human beings but is now revealed.

Daniel 2:18–19 “and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”

God Himself is the one who reveals mysteries. As Daniel was given the divine oracle of God he made it known to King Nebuchadnezer in Daniel 2:27–30 concluding, “But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.”

In the Old Testament, the secret will of God is made known through His chosen servants.

In the New Testament, Paul uses it in relation to the disclosure of God’s revelation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s hidden purpose revealed in Scripture. The Gospel in seed form now in the fullness of its revelation.

Romans 16:25 “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages”

Ephesians 3:3–4 “how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,” v.9 “and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,”

Revelation 10:7 “but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”

1 Timothy 3:16 “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated [declared righteous] by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”

But, in addition to the emphasis upon revelation and knowledge, “mystery” draws attention to the greatness and preciousness of the truth revealed. (cf. 1 Cor. 2:7; 4:1; 15:51; Eph. 1:9; 3:3, 4; 5:32; Col. 1:27; 2:2; 4:3; 1 Tim. 3:16) John Murray, 92. The apostles, like the Old Testament prophets, were stewards of this divine mystery. This mystery has been made known.

Application of divine mystery.

The purpose behind Paul bringing this up is enforcing the principle of humility in opposition to pride. Remember that previously, Paul had warned the Gentile people in Romans 11:20-23 “do not become proud.” Pride is a sin. The message of the cross exalts the wisdom of God in opposition to the wisdom of man. Hence, Paul argues in

1 Corinthians 1:18–25 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

This very mystery is given, or revealed, with the purpose that the Gentiles would not be proud and give glory to themselves. No. Rather, it is to give glory to the infinitely wise God (cf. Schreiner 595).

In the same way, we ought to give praise to God for the same redemptive mercies He has given us. God was never obligated to save anyone. God was never obligated to elect anyone. Yet, He does it. God saves His people out of the great love He has. Jesus has made this manifest in His person and work. In His person He was born in a low condition and suffered all the miseries of this life. This is why we are told that we have a Great High Priest who is able to sympathize with us in our weakness. Every temptation you face, Jesus faced, yet did so without sin.

In the same way, we see this divine mystery accomplished in the work of Christ. So many wonderful passages remind us of the beautiful redemption Christ accomplished on our behalf. Perhaps the most succinct is when Jesus Himself declared, “It is finished.” The wrath of God was satisfied, sin was atoned for, and those who are in Christ share the wonderful inheritance and benefits.

What does this mean to you? When you are tempted, you endure, for Christ Jesus endured. When you are humiliated by co-workers, loved ones, family members, and friends, you endure, for Christ Jesus was humiliated far more than we can imagine. When your sins are overbearing, you endure, for Christ Jesus endured the sins and burden of the cross on your behalf. We find great comfort in the divine mystery of salvation brought forth through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hear the encouraging words of Puritan Thomas Brooks, “Christ’s charge and care of these that are given to Him, extends even to the very day of their resurrection, that He may not so much as lose their dust, but gather it together again, and raise it up in glory to be a proof of His fidelity; for saith He, ‘I shall lose nothing, but raise it up again at the last day.’”

Cherish your union with Christ. So we have looked at the various mysteries of God, first, the mystery of God’s salvation, and now second, the mystery of God’s decree.

[2] The mystery of God’s decree (v. 25b)

Westminster Shorter Catechism answers regarding the decrees of God, that “the decrees of God are His eternal purpose according to the council of His will, whereby for His own glory he doth foreordain, whatsoever comes to pass.”

We come now to the second part of Romans 11:25 “a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

The content of the mystery is two fold with regard to the doctrine of election and reprobation. The first is that there is a partial hardening of Israel.

It is important to note first that “the hardening of Israel is partial not total, temporary not final” (John Murray, , 92). This is reminiscent upon what Paul had argued before that God has preserved a remnant from among the nation of Israel (Rom. 11:4-6).

Israel has received a “Partial hardening.” It refers to the state or condition of complete lack of understanding. This is precisely the state that Jesus speaks of the people of Israel in quoting Isaiah, Matthew 13:15 “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’”

God has given them over to the hardness of their own heart. Paul has already made this clear in Romans 9:18 “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” The partial hardening or spiritual blindness “served the providence of God in furthering the salvation of the Gentiles, which he had designed” (Calvin, 436).

It is the same way Paul speaks of the unbelieving Gentiles in Ephesians 4:18 “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.”

How ironic is it that those people whom God redeemed out of Egypt, who through their own hard-heartedness repeatedly wanted to go back to Egypt at any sight of hardship, now are the one’s who are being hardened in the same way Pharaoh was hardened? Granted, Paul has made it clear that there is still a remnant. Yet at the same time, a partial hardening has come to the nation of Israel as a whole.

Romans 11:7–8“What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.””

2 Corinthians 3:14–16“But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

It is the natural disposition of man who continues to reject the Gospel. They become more and more callous and hardened to its effects. The word of proclaimed to the hearts of the unbeliever apart from the work of the Spirit begins to form a callous over their heart. And they continue to harden themselves as a way to prevent the Gospel from taking root.

The nation of Israel has become like a callous which forms on one’s hand when they labor for many hours in the field. Skin is naturally pliable, yet in an effort to protect itself, it forms a callous. Israel was not protecting itself, rather, it was denying the God of the Scriptures by rejecting Jesus as Lord and Messiah. They became calloused to the point that they feel nothing in response to the Gospel.

The second content of the two-fold mystery with regard to the doctrine of election and reprobation is “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come.”

The same is used of the Jews in Romans 11:12 “Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” Paul is referring to the “full inclusion” of the Gentiles.

However, “The “fullness of the Gentiles” does not refer to a mass Gentile conversion. It simply means the full company of the elect Gentiles. Just as in the case of the “fullness” of the Jews (v. 12) does not refer to a mass conversion. Rather, fullness refers to the full number, or the number of the elect, in this case of both Jews and Gentiles.” (Fesko).

God will ensure with absolute precision and accuracy that all who have been ordained to everlasting life will indeed be saved. We are not looking at the totality of all Gentiles nor are we looking at all Jews, rather, Paul is highlighting that the full number of God’s elect will be saved, both present and future.

It is in direct relation to those who are the recipients of the Kingdom of God by faith. These are the ones who in Matthew 7:13 enter in through the narrow gate. These are the ones whom Jesus says must be born again in order to see the Kingdom of God in John 3:5. These are the ones whom Jesus declares in John 6:44–45 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” These are the ones whom Jesus says in John 10:28–29 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

The fullness of the Gentiles is the guarantee and promise of God that He will certainly ensure your salvation from beginning to end. From reception of the Spirit until glory. Once again, this is a great comfort. God, who never lies, promises and guarantees you will persevere until the end. The sufficiency of Christ far outweighs our own insufficiencies. Are you resting on these promises brothers and sisters?

Are you resting on these promises of perseverance in your daily life?

Cherish your union with Christ. So we have looked at the various mysteries of God, first, the mystery of God’s salvation, second, the mystery of God’s decree, and now thirdly, the mystery of God’s guarantee.

[3] The mystery of God’s guarantee (v. 26a)

Romans 11:26a “And in this way all Israel will be saved.”

Much has been written and argued on what is meant by “all Israel will be saved.” And one’s interpretation on this text depends heavily on how we define Israel.

What then is meant by Israel? Paul has already clearly stated in Romans 9:6“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,”

Paul applies the benefactors of circumcision to belong to Jew and Gentile alike, it was not exclusive to those who receive the sign itself. Philippians 3:3“For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—”

Similarly, Paul concludes of the divine mystery of Gentile inclusion into the people of God, or Israel. Ephesians 3:6 “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” This follows suit with what Paul previously stated in Romans 11:25 with the fulness of the Gentiles.

Earlier, in Romans 2:28–29 he makes the same argument, “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”

So also in Galatians 3:7 does Paul say that “it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.” This is precisely why Paul was able to exclaim previously in Romans 9:7–8“and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”

The people of Israel were those who received the promises by faith, they were the spiritual offspring of Abraham. Israel here is not a reference to a mass conversion of the nation, as this does not flow from Paul’s argument which has been established from Romans 9 onward. Why would Paul explain in Romans 11:5 that there was a remnant of Israel who would be saved if he then concluded later that “all ethnic Israel will be saved”? It does not naturally flow from the context itself.

This is clearly a reference to the fullness of God’s church, the true Israel, who would be saved. Paul himself extends this to the church in Galatians 6:16 “And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” As Calvin writes, “The Israel of God is what Paul calls the Church, gathered alike from Jews and Gentiles; and he sets the people, thus collected from their dispersion, in opposition to the carnal children of Abraham, who had departed from his faith” (Calvin 437).

This should come as no surprise to us really. I am appreciative of what the women’s group is currently going through in their study entitled “xxxxxxx.” Israel always included Gentiles into the plan of salvation. And if we are honest with ourselves, Jesus Himself was an ethnic Jew yes, but His lineage can be traced back from Gentile nations.

Tamar is of unknown heritage but was probably a Canaanite. Rahab was a Gentile prostitute living in Jericho. Ruth was a noble woman, the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman, but was nonetheless a Moabite. All of these women alone were not ethnic Israelites, tracing their seed from Abraham directly. But how did they trace their seed? How were they included into the people of God? By faith alone.

Just as the Gentile people are included amongst Israel by faith alone. God’s plan did not change. Though it was administered differently, it still included all people’s from every tribe, tongue, and nation. And we see this come to fruition in the book of Acts. We see the mystery of God’s declaration come to its fullness in the New Testament.

We get even further confirmation of this scriptural fact in the text itself. “And in this way” is Paul’s way of summarizing the fullness of the Gentiles and the remnant of Israel. God’s grace extends and moves back and forth between Jew and Gentile alike so that all of Israel, the elect children of the promise, both Jew and Gentile will be saved.

Application - the glory of God as seen in the church.

Is this not what makes the covenant community of God, the Church, so beautiful? Look around you. You will be hard-pressed to find someone who was raised, or grew up, in the same town as you, with the same family as you, with the same upbringing as you, or even the same language as you. Yet this body of broken sinners bought by the blood of Jesus Christ is what makes up the Church.

And in that, we work cooperatively toward one goal, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. As God’s church, we glorify Him in our worship and on the Sabbath. Richard Baxter writes, “What fitter day to ascend to heaven, than that on which He arose from earth, and fully triumphed over death and hell. Use your Sabbaths as steps to glory, till you have passed them all, and are there arrived.” We glorify our Lord God in honoring the Sabbath.

We also, as the Church, glorify God through the spreading of the Gospel. Like your upbringing, family history, and so on, God has called each of you into a particular vocation or sphere of influence. God has called some of you to serve in the military, another community made up of different types of people groups. God has called some of you to work for the military in some regard. God has called some of you as students. God has called some of you to play sports. God has called you all to be salt and light.

We glorify God as His Church in the places He has called us. Every day you wake up, you are like a ship going into unknown waters. Yet you are fully equipped and manned to the full with the Spirit of Christ, with the Word of Christ, and with the prayer of Christ, to proclaim His glories. Peter admonishes you to always be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is inside of you. That God has called you to be part of His Church is a great honor, privilege, and responsibility.

You get to be His ambassador. You get to wear the splendor and glories of Christ upon your chest. When you rejoice while the world is full of anxieties, depression, fears, worries, and doubts, you are given a free opportunity to proclaim that hope inside of you. This great mystery of salvation extended to the people of God who make up His Church is a great comfort.

In the same way, not only are you equipped to glorify God but you also build up the fellow members of the body. You all work together in different ways and capacities for God’s glorious kingdom. Where else do you get that symmetry and beauty in the world? Where the corporate world is fighting to make a name for itself, the Church is fighting to make a name for God.

Beloved, enjoy the fellowship you have with one another. Lean and rest on one another in Christ. Pray for one another in Christ. Uplift one another in Christ. We are in this together, to fight the fight until we are taken up into glory or until Christ returns.

Cherish your union with Christ. So we have looked at the various mysteries of God, first, the mystery of God’s salvation, second, the mystery of God’s decree, thirdly, the mystery of God’s guarantee, and finally, the mystery of God’s Deliverer.

[4] The mystery of God’s Deliverer (vv. 26b-27)

Romans 11:26–27 “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.””

How does Paul verify this claim? By pointing to the Scriptures. “As it is written” as confirmation that the Scriptures themselves speak on this issue. And Paul pulls back the redemptive veil in pulling from Isaiah 59:20-21 and Jeremiah 31:34. And here we see the principle acts of Jesus Christ who will take away our sins and unite us into the glorious covenant of grace. The Old Testament exclaims that this great Deliverer will be the chief means by which salvation is guaranteed to God’s people.

Now the context leading up to the quote from Isaiah 59.20 should also push our understanding of “all Israel.” Previously, Isaiah says in Isaiah 59:19“So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives.” Like many of the prophets, Isaiah is setting the redemptive stage with regard to a major inclusion of the Gentile people.

Therefore, a Deliverer will come who will banish ungodliness. This is seen clearly as Jesus Christ Himself came to take away sins. Jesus is that deliverer whom John exclaims, “Behold, the lamb who will take away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). The very Suffering Servant who will bear the transgressions, the trespasses, the iniquities, and all form of sin and depravity on behalf of His own people.

In this, we see the beauties of the covenant of grace. Verse 27 explains this very reality, “this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” This covenant was not only made with the people of Israel as a nation but all who are of the seed of the promise, who share in the faith of Abraham. This was even the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 17:7 “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”

Likewise, this is the same covenant in Jeremiah 31:33–34“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.””

Once again, who are the recipients of this covenant but the people of God, both Jew and Gentile alike? By way of your conversion and regeneration the Spirit of God enlivens your minds and hearts and places God’s law upon them. By way of the Spirit of God you know, or love, the Lord. And in that moment, the Lord forgives your sins and remembers them no more.

Full redemption, full justification, full adoption has come by way of our union with Christ, yet we still are waging war with our sinful flesh. Yet in our redemption, the Deliverer will banish all forms of ungodliness. Ungodliness here is a reference to unbelief. The same unbelief Gentiles are plagued with in Romans 1:18-32 and the same unbelief the Jews are plagued with in Romans 9-11.

Christ has done it all. It is all accomplished.

Application which comes from Thomas Manton 21:6-7, “If Christ came to take away sin, then we should take care we do not live in sin.”

If Christ has truly accomplished all of these great benefits on our behalf, why would we scorn the saviour in our pursuit to cherish the very sins he came to destroy? How often are we so easily allured by these sins in our own lives? Yet we know the great magnificent work of Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:14 “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

Acts 3:26 “God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.””

And here in Romans 11:26 “And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;”

To take the redemption of Christ as a slight is a great harm in our walk with him. As Thomas Manton exhorts, “this [salvation] being Christ’s end, to sanctify us and free us from sin, we should not go about to disappoint him, for this is to set ourselves directly against him” (21.7).

When we disappoint our family, do we not often take it upon ourselves to do better in loving them and serving them? When we disappoint our bosses or co-workers, do we not often take it upon ourselves to do better in loving them and serving them? When we disappoint our spouse, do we not often take it upon ourselves to do better in loving them and serving them?

If we are apt to reconcile ourselves in our earthly relationships, should we not likewise seek forgiveness in Christ? You now have the Holy Spirit indwelling you, to conform you to the image of your blessed Saviour. Should you likewise not seek Him daily? We cannot be indifferent toward sin, lest we become indifferent toward the cross of Christ.

Yet when we do fail, we are promised in 1 John 1:9“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

So even despite our shortcomings, or neglecting the work of sanctification, or preference for sin over Jesus Himself, He is still faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The fullness of redemption is a great mystery. Yet it is not a mystery that is left unsolved, it is a mystery fully revealed in the Word of God wherein we rest upon all of Christ’s benefits, pursue Him daily, though we fail in every way, we still have access to come to His holy throne, to confess and know that He is a forgiving Deliverer, a forgiving Saviour, and a loving God. Cherish your union with Christ.