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Romans 11:12 – How Rich We Are!

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Will

Now if their fall means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

Truth to Learn

Because of the failure of the Jews to listen to and follow God, the offer of salvation has come to the Gentiles.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “fall” is paraptoma, which we saw in the previous verse, meaning “to fall by the wayside.”

“Riches” is translated from ploutos, which refers to “riches or wealth, either in money or possessions.”

The word translated “loss” is the Greek word hēttēma, which refers to “a state that is worse than the former state.” Therefore it could easily be translated as “loss or failure.” Paul is saying, that which the Jews lost has become riches for the Gentiles.

“Fullness” is from the Greek word plērōma, which is from the verb plēroō, meaning “to fill completely.” Hence, we see that plērōma refers to the condition of being completely filled up. Here it probably refers to the fullness of the remnant of the Jews to be saved in the last days before the return of Christ.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we talked about how the stumbling of the Jews resulted in the gospel message being sent to the Gentiles. This is the picture that Jesus portrayed in Matthew 22:1-10 where he told the parable of the wedding. Those who were invited by the king did not care to come, so he sent his army to destroy them and invited the strangers from all parts to come to the wedding. That is precisely what happened to the Jews. They refused to come to the Messiah, so God invited the Gentiles to partake of the riches of His grace.

In the previous verse Paul said that it was their “falling by the wayside” that resulted in salvation coming to the Gentiles. He uses the same word in this verse indicating that it has produced riches (the riches of salvation) for the world. It is because the Jews stumbled and fell by the wayside that the Gentiles have received the riches of God’s blessing, that is, salvation and the righteousness of God. He then follows this up with the expression, “and their loss means riches for the Gentiles.”

But then Paul turns this around. He says that if the stumbling and loss of the Jews resulted in blessing to the Gentiles, how much more so will their fullness be. In other words, Paul is projecting to a future time when the remnant of Israel will believe. With the zeal and ardor that the Jews possess, as well as their mastery of the Old Testament and their knowledge of God, imagine how they will spread the message!

Oh, that we in the Church had the zeal and tenacity that the Jews have always had. That, coupled with the truth of the gospel, could produce a wildfire of revival!

Application

We Christians take our salvation too lightly. We forget that the combined riches of the whole world cannot even come close to the price of eternal blessing in the presence of Almighty God. It is a priceless treasure that has been given to us, not because we deserve it in any way, but because God chose to give it to us. But the church today is beginning to resemble the Jews of Jesus’ time. We have become complacent and have placed greater value in following the rules and traditions of our denominations than in following and being obedient to Christ. So, let me ask you, my friend, who do you resemble, your church or your Savior?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 11:11 – Share the Treasure!

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Will

I say then, did they stumble that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, salvation came to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.

Truth to Learn

The Jews lost their “most favored” position so we could receive it. We need to share it so that we don’t lose it.

Behind the Words

“Stumbled” is translated from the Greek word ptaio, which means “to stumble” or “to fall.” It is often used figuratively to indicate falling into sin.

“That” is from hina, meaning “in order that.” One interpretation of this word would be “merely that.” Thus, we could translate the first part of this verse as, “have they stumbled merely that they should fall?”

The words “should fall” is from the verb piptō, meaning “to fall from a higher position to a lower position.”

The second occurrence of the word “fall” in this verse is from paraptōma, the noun form of parapiptō. This is made up of para, meaning “beside” or “to the side” and piptō, which we just looked at. Paraptōma, then, refers to “falling to the side” or “falling by the wayside.”

Meaning Explained

The first part of this verse is almost a restatement of Romans 11:1. Paul again is using the relative negative article mē in his question to indicate an anticipated negative answer.

I like the New American Standard Bible translation of this verse. It says:

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

Paul’s point in asking the question is to show that even though the Jews have stumbled on the rock (Jesus Christ), it is not a permanent condition for all Jews. A remnant of the Jews will be restored at some time in the future.

He is saying, “The Jews have not permanently fallen from grace, but they have stumbled, and by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles.” Had the Jews not stumbled, that is, if the Jews had welcomed their Messiah when he came the first time, then salvation would not have come to the Gentiles. But because they did reject Jesus, the message has now gone out to the Gentiles so that we might be saved.

And one of God’s purposes in giving salvation to the Gentiles is to provoke the Jews to jealousy. That which they had exclusive access to, a relationship with the God of all creation, is now being enjoyed by the Gentiles, while the Jews have lost their “most favored” position.

Later on in this chapter, though, Paul will show that God can turn from the Gentiles, as a people, just as He turned from the Jews as a nation.

Application

We need to guard this precious faith and the message of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ like a treasure from God. But, we need to openly share this treasure and the message with those around us. It is not something to be hoarded; rather, it is something to be given away!

Have you shared this treasure with anyone lately?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 11:12 – How Rich We Are!

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Will

Romans 11:12 – How Rich We Are!

Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

Truth to Learn

Because of the failure of the Jews to listen to and follow God, the offer of salvation has come to the Gentiles.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “fall” is paraptoma, which we saw in the previous verse, meaning “to fall by the wayside.”

“Riches” is translated from ploutos, which refers to “riches or wealth, either in money or possessions.”

The word translated “failure” is the Greek word hēttēma, which refers to “a state that is worse than the former state.” Therefore it could easily be translated as “loss or failure.” Paul is saying, that which the Jews lost has become riches for the Gentiles.

Meaning Explained

Oh, that we in the Church had the zeal and tenacity that the Jews have always had. That, coupled with the truth of the gospel, could produce a wildfire of revival!

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 11:11 – Share the Treasure!

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Will

Romans 11:11 – Share the Treasure!

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

The Jews lost their “most favored” position so we could receive it. We need to share it so that we don’t lose it.

Behind the Words

“Stumbled” is translated from the Greek word ptaio, which means “to stumble” or “to fall.” It is often used figuratively to indicate falling into sin.

The words “should fall” is from the verb piptō, meaning “to fall from a higher position to a lower position.”

Meaning Explained

The first part of this verse is almost a restatement of Romans 11:1. Paul again is using the relative negative article mē in his question to indicate an anticipated negative answer.

I like the New American Standard Bible translation of this verse. It says:

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

Later on in this chapter, though, Paul will show that God can turn from the Gentiles, as a people, just as He turned from the Jews as a nation.

Application

Have you shared this treasure with anyone lately?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

2 Peter 3:17 – Be On Guard

Posted on July 6, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:17

Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.

Truth to Learn

Based on what Peter has just taught us, we must be wary of false teachers who would cause us to stumble.

Behind the Words

“You already know” is translated from proginōskō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in time or place” and ginōskō, which means “to know absolutely or completely.” The word is expressed here as a present participle. Hence, a literal translation would be “knowing …”

The word translated “be on your guard” is the Greek word phulassō, which means “protect yourself, be on guard, or be aware of.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. Therefore, we see that the opening phrase of this verse could be translated as, “Therefore beloved ones, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard.”

“Secure position” is from stērigmos, which is derived from stēridzō, meaning “to set firmly in place.” So we see, stērigmos refers to “a position of stability.”

Meaning Explained

Therefore, that is, because there will be scoffers and false prophets who deny the truth of the Word and who deny that Christ is returning again and who don’t believe that there was a flood or that there will be a fiery judgment… knowing beforehand that Christ will return and there will be a judgment of this world and its inhabitants, be on your guard!

Peter is commanding us to be on our guard and to protect ourselves from the teachings of the scoffers and false teachers. Otherwise, he says, we may be led astray by their erroneous teaching. Remember we learned earlier that they will use a symphony of words to entice us into their false teaching.

How can we protect ourselves from false teaching? I learned years ago that people who are trained to detect counterfeit money do not spend their time studying various forgeries and counterfeits. Instead, they study the real thing over and over again in excruciating detail so that they can spot a fake, being different from the real thing. In the same way, we need to constantly be studying the Word of God over and over so that we will be able to spot false teaching. It is not sufficient to simply hear a sermon once a week and spend a few minutes reading our Bibles. We need to be studying the Word constantly!

Peter then tells us that if we do get led astray, we may fall from our “secure position.” Peter is not saying that we will fall from salvation. As we’ve shown before, we cannot lose our salvation. What we can lose, however, is our firm footing, our position of spiritual stability, and we can stumble and fall into sin if we get led astray by false teaching.

Application

We now know that Christ is coming again (it could even be today). And, we know He is coming as the Judge who will perform a trial by fire. We also now know that there are many false teachers who would draw us away from our firm footing. Therefore, beware and lift your eyes, for your redemption draws near!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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