loss – Ministry of Grace Church

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,

If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Truth to Learn

We need to build with enduring works, not flammable works.

Behind the Words

Katakaiō is the Greek word translated “burned.” It is made up of kata, meaning “down,” used here as an intensifier and kaiō, meaning “to set on fire” or “to burn.” Thus, katakaiō means “to burn down” or “to burn up completely.” It is expressed here in the future tense, indicating action that will take place in the future.

The words “will suffer loss” are from the Greek verb dzēmioō, meaning “to bring loss upon someone” to “to suffer damage or loss.” This verb is also expressed in the future tense, indicating action that will take place in the future.

“Will be saved” is the translation of the verb sōdzō, meaning “to preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction,” or “to keep alive.” Like the previous two verbs, this is expressed in the future tense.

Pur is the word translated “fire.” Although it is occasionally used metaphorically, here it is used as a reference to literal fire.

Meaning Explained

As we have pointed out previously, Paul has been scolding the Christians in Corinth about the divisions which had sprung up in the church. By direct application, the teachings of this third chapter refer to the teachers and preachers in the church who had either directly or indirectly caused such divisions. However, by indirect application we can see that Paul is writing about every member of the church, since each one of us has a responsibility to build up the body of Christ. Preachers and teachers need to be especially careful that what they say is based on the truth of the Word. James, in speaking directly to those who teach in the church declared this warning:

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1)

Keep in mind that we are all responsible for building on the foundation that has been laid. The work we do in building up the church will undergo the fire test. That which we do in humble submission to God, for His praise and glory, will endure the flames. Those acts of service that we do carelessly or for our own glory will all go up in flames and we will lose any profit we may have expected from them.

Nonetheless, we will not be consumed by the fire. Remember that this is referring to the judgment of our works, not the judgment of our souls. This is not a reference to the fire of Hell. Christians will not experience such tormenting flame. This is a judgment of our works. Notice that Paul says, “if anyone’s work is completely burned up.”

Also notice that Paul says that as our worthless works are burned up, we will be saved. Again, this is not a reference to our eternal salvation, but to the fact that we will not be harmed by the flames that consume our worthless works.

Application

Let’s take a few minutes to evaluate our own works in building up the body. Are they being done in the proper spirit and in submission to God and to the leaders He has placed us under? We need to be doing enduring works, not flammable works.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: loss

Romans 11:12 – How Rich We Are!

1 Corinthians 3:15 – Enduring or Flammable?

Truth to Learn

Behind the Words

Meaning Explained

Application