Romans 11:25 – Until

… this secret… that callousness, in part, on Israel has come, until the complement of the nations may be entering.

The partial hardening of Israel that continues to this day is temporary. It has a “until”. And the secret Paul reveals here is that the mentioned hardening continues “until the complement of the nations may be entering.” Earlier he wrote about Israel’s current shortfall (because of her misstep) that will soon make way for Israel’s fullness (11:12). That is, Israel does not attain its fullness (“all Israel saved”; 11:26) until “the complement of the nations may be entering.” And just as Israel’s fullness pertains to coming to its destination, so it is also for the entering of the complement of the nations.”

In the present day when Israel is largely hardened, God is “grafting the nations into the olive tree.” That is, they share in the blessing of Abraham. But when this “project” is completed and this “complement of the nations” enters (where and how, is not addressed here), from then on the partial hardening of Israel will also be ended. First the fullness of the nations, then the fullness of Israel. All in God’s time!

Delen: