Paul wasn't talking about initial salvation like when someone first believes in Christ. He said, "salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed," meaning there was a future aspect still approaching in his time.

This salvation was the completion or consummation of what had already begun, what Jesus called "the end of the age" (Matthew 24:3). It pointed to the soon coming judgment and redemption of the covenant people, the full arrival of the New Covenant age, and the removal of the Old.

In Luke 21:28, Jesus told them, "when you see these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." This lines up with Romans 13:11. It was a salvation out of the Old Covenant system and its judgment, into the fullness of the kingdom they were already receiving (Hebrews 12:28).

So, the initial belief began the process, but the full salvation, the visible vindication and kingdom arrival, was still near and about to be revealed.

Now let's ask this: Was Paul referring to personal salvation or corporate covenantal salvation about to be completed?

Paul was referring to corporate covenantal salvation that was about to be completed.

Romans 13:11 says, "for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed." This shows he was speaking to a group, not just individuals. The context is urgent, because something major was approaching that affected the whole covenant community.

This salvation wasn't just about individual souls going to heaven. It was the final transition from the Old Covenant to the New, something that involved the whole body of believers. Paul had earlier written in Romans 11:26, "all Israel will be saved," and that was tied to the full inclusion of the Gentiles and the completion of God's redemptive plan.

The idea is echoed in Hebrews 9:28: "Christ... will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." That appearance wasn't about starting salvation, but finishing what had already begun, bringing in the kingdom in its fullness (Luke 21:31).

So yes, Paul was pointing to a soon coming covenantal salvation, the visible arrival of the New Jerusalem, and the end of the Old Covenant world (Hebrews 8:13). It was near, it was corporate, and it was about to be completed.