Romans 11 25

Romans 11:25 kjv

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Romans 11:25 nkjv

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Romans 11:25 niv

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,

Romans 11:25 esv

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Romans 11:25 nlt

I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

Romans 11 verses

Romans 11 25 Meaning

Romans 11:25 reveals a profound spiritual truth, previously hidden, regarding God's plan for both Israel and the Gentile nations. It asserts that a partial spiritual insensitivity has come upon Israel, which allows for the widespread salvation of the Gentiles. This hardening of Israel is temporary, acting as a divine catalyst until the predetermined full number or period of Gentile inclusion into God's covenant people has been accomplished, at which point Israel's spiritual blindness will be lifted, leading to their ultimate restoration.

Romans 11 25 Context

Romans chapters 9-11 form a cohesive unit within Paul’s letter, addressing the crucial question of Israel's status in God's redemptive plan given their widespread rejection of Jesus as Messiah. Paul vehemently defends God's justice and faithfulness, emphasizing that God has not entirely abandoned His chosen people. Chapter 9 affirms God's sovereign choice, chapter 10 explains Israel's responsibility for their unbelief, and chapter 11, where verse 25 is found, clarifies that Israel's rejection is neither total nor final. This verse specifically addresses the Gentile believers in Rome, cautioning them against spiritual arrogance. Paul recognized a dangerous tendency for Gentile Christians, witnessing Israel’s spiritual downturn, to assume that God had entirely replaced Israel or that their own status made them superior. He unveils this "mystery" to provide understanding and humility, showing how Israel's partial hardening temporarily serves God's plan for worldwide Gentile salvation before Israel's eventual, full restoration.

Romans 11 25 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): Connects this revelation to Paul’s preceding argument about God's plan for Israel, implying a causal or explanatory link for the preceding discussion. It introduces the reason for the caution about spiritual pride.

• I do not want you to be unaware (οὐ θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν - ou thelō hymas agnoein): A common Pauline idiom emphasizing the urgency and importance of the truth he is about to convey. It is a direct and forceful warning against ignorance regarding this vital theological point.

• brethren (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi): Paul's customary term of affectionate address to his fellow believers, signaling an appeal to their shared spiritual identity and a reminder of their communal responsibility.

• of this mystery (τοῦ μυστηρίου τούτου - tou mystēriou toutou): Refers to a truth previously hidden from human understanding, but now divinely revealed through Paul. It denotes a secret of God's redemptive plan, specifically pertaining to the intertwined destinies of Israel and the Gentiles.

• lest you be wise in your own estimation (ἵνα μὴ ἦτε παρ' ἑαυτοῖς φρόνιμοι - hina mē ēte par' heautois phronimoi): A clear warning against spiritual arrogance, pride, or a misguided sense of superiority among Gentile believers. This mirrors Old Testament wisdom tradition against self-sufficiency and uncritical judgment, reinforcing the need for humility before God's unfolding plan (e.g., Prov 3:7).

• that (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the content of the mystery being revealed, acting as an explicative conjunction.

• a partial hardening (πώρωσις ἀπὸ μέρους - pōrōsis apo merous):

  • πώρωσις (pōrōsis): Signifies a hardening, a spiritual callousing, insensitivity, or dullness of understanding and perception. It describes an internal state of obstinacy towards divine truth.
  • ἀπὸ μέρους (apo merous): Crucially qualifies the hardening as "from a part" or "in part." This emphasizes that the hardening is neither total (not all Israel) nor permanent, retaining a remnant as seen in Rom 11:1-6.

• has happened to Israel (τῷ Ἰσραὴλ γέγονεν - tō Israēl gegonen): Clearly states the specific people to whom this hardening applies. The perfect tense (γέγονεν) indicates that this hardening has occurred and persists in its effects at the time Paul is writing.

• until (ἄχρι οὗ - achri hou): This preposition indicates a specific duration with a defined terminus. It underscores the temporary nature of Israel’s hardening, implying a future point when this state will cease or significantly change.

• the fullness of the Gentiles (τὸ πλήρωμα τῶν ἐθνῶν - to plērōma tōn ethnōn):

  • πλήρωμα (plērōma): Can mean "fullness," "completion," "what fills up." It could denote a specific, divinely appointed number of Gentiles that must come to faith, or it could mean the complete ingathering of the Gentiles until the Gospel has fully penetrated all nations according to God's plan. Many scholars suggest a predetermined quota, aligning with God's sovereign intent.
  • τῶν ἐθνῶν (tōn ethnōn): Refers to the nations, the non-Jewish peoples of the world, explicitly including Gentile believers.

• has come in (εἰσέλθῃ - eiselthē): Means "to enter" or "to be brought in." It signifies their entrance into the covenant relationship with God through faith in Christ, becoming part of the spiritual body of believers. The subjunctive mood emphasizes the completion of this condition.

• Words-Group analysis:

  • "I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation": This entire phrase serves as a pastoral warning and an exhortation to humility. Paul presents the following truth as critical, not for theological debate, but for shaping the attitude and self-perception of Gentile believers towards their Jewish counterparts and God's overall plan. It prevents spiritual arrogance stemming from misinterpreting Israel's current condition.
  • "a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in": This segment encapsulates the essence of the "mystery." It details the state of Israel (partial hardening), its subject (Israel), its cause/divine allowance, and its temporary nature (until), linked to a specific event (Gentile fullness coming in). This outlines a specific eschatological sequence in God’s redemptive history.

Romans 11 25 Bonus section

The "mystery" presented here is a revelation previously not fully understood or explicitly declared in the Old Testament, though its elements might be hinted at. It speaks to God's wisdom in orchestrating history, using the apparent setback of Israel’s partial unbelief for a greater redemptive purpose concerning the Gentiles, which in turn will ultimately provoke Israel to jealousy and salvation. This concept defies simple human logic but aligns with God's sovereignty over history. The precise meaning of "the fullness of the Gentiles" (τὸ πλήρωμα τῶν ἐθνῶν) has been debated across church history. It can refer to either a predetermined numerical quota of individual Gentile converts or to the period of the complete historical inclusion of Gentiles, signifying the evangelization of all peoples or a significant epoch of Gentile ingathering. Most interpretations recognize that it speaks of a decisive and completed Gentile epoch which marks the end of Israel's present hardening. The implication for believers today is twofold: firstly, humility regarding God's complex and sovereign plan, avoiding triumphalism over Israel, and secondly, active participation in global missions to facilitate the coming in of this "fullness."

Romans 11 25 Commentary

Romans 11:25 is a cornerstone for understanding God’s ongoing redemptive program, particularly the relationship between Israel and the church. Paul's revelation of this "mystery" prevents Gentile arrogance, asserting that Israel's current spiritual dullness is neither a total rejection by God nor a permanent state. Instead, it is a divinely ordained, partial, and temporary hardening. This specific divine action serves a larger purpose: it acts as the "until" clause, creating an opportunity for the vast inclusion of Gentiles into God's family through Christ. "The fullness of the Gentiles" arriving signifies a specific, divinely determined point—either a set number or the global reach of the Gospel—which will trigger the end of Israel's hardening. The temporary nature ("until") promises a future reversal for Israel, leading to their full salvation (Rom 11:26). This verse assures believers that God's covenant promises to Israel remain inviolable, reinforcing His faithfulness and challenging any notion of God abandoning His people.