Romans 11:26 Teaches a Mass Conversion of Israelites

Romans 11:26 affirms that there will be a mass conversion of ethnic Israelites prior to the end of the world for the following five reasons. First, Paul had just affirmed the possibility and fittingness of God saving ethnic Israel (vv. 15, 23-24) and does so again in v.30. It is, therefore, most natural to read v. 26 as the claim that this possibility will be realized. Second, “Israel” in v. 25 refers to ethnic Israel (as it does in vv. 1-2, 7), so we should expect that only a verse later (v. 26) “Israel” still refers to ethnic Israel. Third, the partial hardening is evidently temporary; it lasts “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” True, “until” does not always mean that the thing that last until X should end at that time, but this is the typical meaning and, in context, is the preferred meaning. Fourth, “Israel” in v. 26 refers to the same group as “Jacob” and “them” in vv. 26-27. And “Jacob” and “them” in vv. 26-27 refer to the same group as “they,” “their,” and “these” in vv. 28-31. And it is clear that “they,” “their,” and “these” in vv. 28-31 refer to ethnic Israelites in contradistinction to Gentiles (“your,” “you” in vv. 28-31); cf. v. 13: “I am speaking to you who are Gentiles.” In other words, “all Israel” and “Jacob” are currently “enemies on your account” (on account of Gentile believers) and yet “beloved on account of the fathers.” (Cf. v. 16: Even unbelieving Israel is still “holy”.) So, when Paul teaches that all Israel will be saved in v. 26, he is referring to ethnic Israel. Fifth, what Paul discloses in vv. 25-32 is a “mystery,” something that requires divine revelation to make it known. That the historically wayward and presently apostate ethnic Israel would nonetheless be saved is something that would need special revelation; so, it would be most fitting to refer to this as a mystery, something revealed by God. However, if what Paul meant is that the Church composed of ethnic Jews and Gentiles would be saved it is hard to see why he would refer to this as a mystery. Instead of being a mystery it would be tautological. Nor would it do to say that the mystery revealed in vv. 25-32 is that the Church is the true Israel. Firstly, Paul supposedly already disclosed that in Galatians 6:16 and Romans 2:28-29; 9:6, so it would seem to be superfluous for him to refer to it as a mystery in v. 25; Paul appears to be presenting something new. Secondly, in v. 26 Paul is not identifying who Israel is (let alone with the Church) but is saying that they will all be saved. The mystery is not about the identity of Israel (which Paul has been clear about in Romans 11) but is about the end-time fate of Israel.