Rom 11:25-32 | TNotes | STEP | 11:25 Paul usually uses the word mystery to refer to an event of the last days that has already been determined by God. Such a mystery already exists in heaven and is revealed to God’s people in the Christian era (see 16:25 ; 1 Cor 2:1 , 7 ; 4:1 ; 15:51 ; Eph 1:9 ; 3:3 , 4 , 9 ; 6:19 ; Col 1:26 , 27 ; 2:2 ; 4:3 ; 1 Tim 3:9 , 16 ). Here, the mystery is the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in the plan of salvation, which is at the heart of this entire passage (Rom 11:11-32 ).

11:25 ^a Paul usually uses the word mystery to refer to an event of the last days that has already been determined by God. Such a mystery already exists in heaven and is revealed to God’s people in the Christian era (see 16:25 ^b; 1 Cor 2:1 ^c, 7 ^d; 4:1 ^e; 15:51 ^f; Eph 1:9 ^g; 3:3 ^h, 4 ⁱ, 9 ^j; 6:19 ^k; Col 1:26 ^l, 27 ^m; 2:2 ⁿ; 4:3 ^o; 1 Tim 3:9 ^p, 16 ^q). Here, the mystery is the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in the plan of salvation, which is at the heart of this entire passage (Rom 11:11-32 ^r).
Summary for Rom 11:26-27: 11:26-27 ^s The phrase all Israel could refer to the total of all believers, both Jewish and Gentile; with this meaning, and so would describe the way that God works to bring salvation to all his people. Alternatively, all Israel could refer to the total of all Jews destined to believe throughout the Christian era, or to a significant number of Jews who turn to Christ in the last days. With the last meaning, and so would have a sequential meaning—after the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ, then the full number of Jews will be saved. It does not mean all Jewish people (see 2:17-29 ^t)

• In the Old Testament, The one who rescues is the Lord. Paul almost surely is referring to Jesus Christ (see 1 Thes 1:10 ^u).

• from Jerusalem: The Hebrew text of Isa 59:20 ^v says that the redeemer will come to Jerusalem. Paul might have changed the wording to represent Jesus’ first coming from among the people of Israel or to speak of the second coming when Jesus will return from the heavenly Jerusalem (see Heb 12:22 ^w).
11:32 ^x have mercy on everyone: Everyone has the sense of “all kinds of people.” In the context of Romans, and especially this chapter, it refers to the inclusion of Gentiles alongside Jews.