Romans 11:27

KJV

For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G2532} this {G3778} is my {G3844}{G1700} covenant {G1242} unto them {G846}, when {G3752} I shall take away {G851} their {G846} sins {G266}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and this will be my covenant with them, . . .
when I take away their sins.”

Berean Standard Bible

And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

American Standard Version

And this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 11:27 concludes Paul's profound theological argument concerning God's enduring faithfulness to Israel, even in their partial rejection of the Messiah. This verse, presented as God's own declaration, underscores the unbreakable nature of His covenant with His chosen people, promising a future time when He will decisively intervene to remove their sins, thereby fulfilling His ancient promises and demonstrating the comprehensive scope of His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 11:27 stands as the culminating statement in Paul's intricate argument spanning chapters 9-11, where he grapples with the perplexing question of Israel's present unbelief and its implications for God's promises. Specifically, it follows the declaration in [Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "Romans 11:26 - The Deliverer from Zion") that "the Deliverer shall come out of Sion, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." This verse functions as the divine assurance and the basis for the hope of Israel's future restoration, which Paul introduces as a "mystery" in [Romans 11:25](/romans/11-25 "Romans 11:25 - The Mystery of Israel's Hardening"). It is presented as a direct quotation or a summary adaptation of Old Testament prophecy, solidifying the eschatological hope for Israel's salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letter to the Romans addresses a diverse church in the heart of the Roman Empire, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers. A central tension revolved around the status of Israel, given that many Jews had rejected Jesus as Messiah while Gentiles were being grafted into God's family. Paul's discourse in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9 "Romans 9 - God's Sovereign Choice") aims to reconcile God's faithfulness to His covenant people with the present reality of Gentile inclusion. The concept of "covenant" was deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, representing God's binding promises and commitments to His people, often accompanied by conditions and blessings/curses. The expectation of a future, definitive act of God to cleanse His people and restore them to full fellowship was a prominent theme in prophetic literature, shaping the cultural and theological landscape of Paul's audience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and biblical theology. Primarily, it highlights **God's Unwavering Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that despite Israel's disobedience and temporary hardening, God's promises to them remain irrevocable (as seen in [Romans 11:29](/romans/11-29 "God's Irrevocable Gifts")). Secondly, it points to a **Future Eschatological Salvation for All Israel**, asserting that God has a definitive plan for the nation's spiritual renewal and restoration, which will ultimately lead to "life from the dead" ([Romans 11:15](/romans/11-15 "Reconciliation of the World")). Finally, the core of this future covenant action is the **Comprehensive Forgiveness and Removal of Sins**, emphasizing that salvation, whether for Jew or Gentile, is fundamentally predicated upon God's gracious act of dealing with the problem of sin, mirroring the promise of a new covenant where God would remember their sins no more ([Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Forgiveness in the New Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covenant (Greek, _diathḗkē'_):** From G1242, properly "a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)." In this context, it refers to God's solemn, binding agreement and promise to Israel. It signifies God's self-imposed commitment, rooted in His character, to fulfill His purposes for His people, independent of their fluctuating faithfulness. This is not a conditional contract based on human performance, but a divine arrangement revealing God's enduring grace and redemptive plan.
* **Take away (Greek, _aphairéō'_):** From G851, meaning "to remove (literally or figuratively); cut (smite) off, take away." This powerful verb denotes a complete and decisive removal. It's not merely a covering or a temporary overlooking of sin, but a definitive act of separation and eradication. When God "takes away" sins, it implies a thorough cleansing, eliminating the guilt, power, and consequences of sin, thereby enabling full reconciliation and restoration.
* **Sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, meaning "a sin (properly abstract); offence, sin(-ful)." This term refers to the transgression of God's law, a missing of the mark, or a deviation from God's righteous standard. In the plural, it encompasses the totality of Israel's transgressions throughout their history. The removal of "sins" signifies God's ultimate solution to the fundamental problem that separates humanity from Him, addressing both individual acts of rebellion and the corporate accumulation of unrighteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this is my covenant unto them":** This phrase asserts the divine origin and unbreakable nature of the promise. "This" refers to the entire preceding prophetic statement about the Deliverer and the turning away of ungodliness from Jacob. God Himself is the one making this covenant, emphasizing His sovereign initiative and faithfulness. The "them" refers specifically to "all Israel" mentioned in [Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "All Israel Will Be Saved"), indicating that despite their temporary hardening, God's ancient covenant with His chosen people remains valid and will ultimately be fulfilled.
* **"when I shall take away their sins":** This clause specifies the defining action and condition of the covenant's ultimate fulfillment for Israel. The "when" indicates a future, divinely appointed time. The active voice "I shall take away" highlights God's direct and decisive intervention. The "taking away of sins" is the core of this redemptive act, signifying a complete and final removal of the barrier between God and Israel, leading to their full spiritual restoration and reconciliation. This echoes Old Testament prophecies of a new covenant where God would forgive iniquity and remember sin no more.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 11:27 primarily employs **Covenant Language** and **Prophetic Allusion**. The phrase "my covenant unto them" directly evokes the rich tradition of God's covenants with Israel, such as the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, but particularly points to the promised **New Covenant** of [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "The New Covenant"). This language underscores the divine initiative and the binding nature of God's promises. The verse itself is a **Prophetic Allusion**, drawing from or summarizing passages like [Isaiah 59:20-21](/isaiah/59-20-21 "The Redeemer Will Come to Zion") and potentially [Isaiah 27:9](/isaiah/27-9 "Jacob's Iniquity Forgiven"), which speak of God's future redemptive work for Israel involving the removal of their transgressions. Paul uses this prophetic tradition to ground his eschatological hope for Israel in the authoritative word of God, demonstrating the continuity of God's plan across the testaments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 11:27 profoundly reinforces the doctrine of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when human recipients fail. It underscores that salvation, whether for Jew or Gentile, is fundamentally a work of divine grace, centered on the removal of sin. This verse affirms God's sovereign prerogative to elect and to restore, demonstrating that His ultimate purposes cannot be thwarted by human disobedience. It provides a crucial theological anchor for understanding the ongoing place of Israel in God's redemptive plan, assuring that their partial hardening is not a permanent rejection, but part of a larger, mysterious design that will ultimately culminate in their full salvation and the complete manifestation of God's glory.

* [Isaiah 59:20-21](/isaiah/59-20-21 "Isaiah 59:20-21 - The Redeemer Will Come to Zion")
* [Jeremiah 31:33-34](/jeremiah/31-33-34 "Jeremiah 31:33-34 - The New Covenant and Forgiveness")
* [Hebrews 10:17](/hebrews/10-17 "Hebrews 10:17 - Sins Remembered No More")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense comfort and profound theological insight for believers today. It reminds us that God's promises are not contingent on our perfect performance but on His unchanging character and covenant faithfulness. Just as God has a future plan for the complete removal of Israel's sins, so too has He decisively dealt with our sins through Christ. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of security and gratitude, knowing that our salvation is rooted in God's immutable commitment. It also calls us to trust in God's sovereign wisdom, even when His plans seem mysterious or contrary to our expectations, as was the case with Israel's temporary hardening. We are invited to participate in God's redemptive work by sharing the gospel, knowing that His ultimate purpose is to gather a people for Himself from every nation, culminating in the full display of His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, as expressed in this verse, strengthen your trust in His promises to you personally?**
* **What does the phrase "when I shall take away their sins" reveal about the comprehensive nature of God's salvation?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to pray for and anticipate the future spiritual restoration of Israel?**
* **How does understanding God's long-term plan, even through periods of apparent delay or mystery, impact your perspective on current challenges or unanswered prayers?**

### FAQ

**Does "all Israel" in Romans 11:26, followed by this verse, mean every single Jewish person will be saved?**

Answer: The phrase "all Israel" in [Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "All Israel Will Be Saved") is best understood not as every single individual Jew throughout history, but as the nation of Israel in its corporate, eschatological sense. Paul's argument in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9 "God's Sovereign Choice") acknowledges a "remnant" chosen by grace ([Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "A Remnant Chosen by Grace")) even during the time of hardening. Therefore, "all Israel" refers to a future, decisive spiritual awakening and conversion of the nation as a whole, when God will "take away their sins" and bring them into the full blessings of the New Covenant. It signifies the national restoration and spiritual renewal of Israel, not a universal salvation of every individual Jew without regard to faith.

**How does this "covenant" relate to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ?**

Answer: Romans 11:27 speaks of "my covenant unto them," which directly alludes to the promises of the New Covenant prophesied in the Old Testament, particularly in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "The New Covenant"). This New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus Christ, is characterized by God writing His law on hearts, knowing God personally, and most significantly, the complete forgiveness of sins. For Gentiles and the Jewish remnant who believe in Jesus, this covenant is already a present reality. For the nation of Israel, Paul anticipates a future point when this covenant's full benefits, especially the removal of their corporate sins, will be applied to them, leading to their national spiritual restoration. Thus, the covenant mentioned here is the very New Covenant mediated by Christ, whose benefits will ultimately extend to "all Israel" in a future, climactic event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 11:27 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The very "covenant" of which God speaks, promising the definitive "taking away of their sins," is the New Covenant established and mediated by Christ Himself. He is the "Deliverer" who came out of Zion, not only for Israel but for all humanity ([Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "The Deliverer from Zion")). It is through His sacrificial death on the cross that the ultimate "taking away of sins" is accomplished, as He became the Lamb of God who bears the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His blood ratified this new and better covenant ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Blood of the New Covenant")), making possible the complete forgiveness and removal of transgressions for all who believe. Therefore, the future salvation of Israel, described in this verse, will be realized through their ultimate embrace of Jesus as their Messiah, the one who perfectly fulfills God's covenant promises and fully accomplishes the divine task of taking away sins. He is the "Mediator of a better covenant" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")), through whom God's ancient promises find their glorious and final realization.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 31:31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Isaiah 27:9

By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this [is] all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.

Isaiah 59:21

As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Ezekiel 36:25

¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Ezekiel 36:29

I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.