Romans 11:12
But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
But if their trespass
The word "trespass" here is translated from the Greek word "paraptōma," which means a misstep or a fall. In the context of Romans 11, it refers to the transgression of Israel in rejecting the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Historically, this rejection led to the crucifixion, which paradoxically became the means of salvation for all humanity. Theologically, this highlights the sovereignty of God, who can use even human disobedience to fulfill His divine purposes.

means riches for the world
The term "riches" is derived from the Greek "ploutos," indicating abundance or wealth. Here, it signifies the spiritual wealth and blessings that have come to the world through the Gospel. The "world" refers to all nations beyond Israel, emphasizing the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that through his seed, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

and their failure
"Failure" is translated from the Greek "hēttēma," meaning a defeat or loss. Israel's failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah resulted in a temporary spiritual setback for them. However, this failure opened the door for the Gentiles to receive the Gospel. This demonstrates God's redemptive power, turning what seems like a defeat into a victory for His greater plan.

means riches for the Gentiles
Again, "riches" signifies the spiritual blessings that have come to the Gentiles, who were once considered outsiders to God's covenant with Israel. The inclusion of the Gentiles into God's family is a profound mystery revealed in the New Testament, showcasing the depth of God's grace and mercy. This inclusion fulfills prophecies such as Isaiah 49:6, where God declares that His salvation will reach the ends of the earth.

how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
The word "fullness" comes from the Greek "plērōma," which means completeness or fulfillment. Paul is expressing hope and anticipation for the future restoration of Israel. When Israel comes to faith in Christ, it will result in even greater blessings for the world. This points to a future time of spiritual revival and renewal, aligning with prophecies of Israel's restoration found in the Old Testament (e.g., Ezekiel 37). The "greater riches" suggest an even more profound outpouring of God's grace and the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan for humanity. This verse inspires believers to look forward to God's unfolding plan with hope and expectation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, addressing the church in Rome, which consisted of both Jewish and Gentile believers.

2. Israel
The nation of Israel, whose partial hardening and rejection of the Messiah led to the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's salvation plan.

3. Gentiles
Non-Jewish people who have been grafted into the blessings of God's covenant through faith in Jesus Christ.

4. The Church in Rome
The original recipients of the letter, a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile Christians.

5. Salvation History
The unfolding plan of God to bring salvation to all humanity, including the pivotal role of Israel and the inclusion of the Gentiles.
Teaching Points
The Riches of God's Grace
God's grace is abundantly available to all, both Jews and Gentiles. The trespass of Israel opened the door for the Gentiles to experience the riches of God's grace.

The Mystery of God's Plan
God's plan is often beyond human understanding, yet it is perfect. The inclusion of the Gentiles was part of His divine strategy to bring about greater blessings.

The Role of Jealousy in Salvation
Israel's jealousy over the Gentiles receiving God's blessings serves as a catalyst for their eventual return to God. This teaches us about God's redemptive use of human emotions.

The Future Fullness of Israel
The future restoration and fullness of Israel will bring even greater blessings to the world, highlighting the importance of Israel in God's redemptive history.

Unity in Diversity
The church is a diverse body of believers, united in Christ. This unity reflects God's inclusive plan and calls us to embrace diversity within the body of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of Israel's trespass leading to riches for the Gentiles challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty?

2. In what ways can the church today provoke others to jealousy for the gospel, similar to how the Gentiles provoked Israel?

3. How does understanding the future fullness of Israel impact your view of current events in the Middle East and your prayers for Israel?

4. Reflect on a time when God's plan in your life seemed mysterious or unexpected. How did it lead to greater blessings?

5. How can you contribute to unity within the diverse body of Christ, recognizing the richness of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 11:11
This verse sets the context by explaining that Israel's transgression led to salvation for the Gentiles, provoking Israel to jealousy.

Ephesians 3:6
This passage speaks of the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ through the gospel.

Acts 13:46-47
Paul and Barnabas declare that salvation was first offered to the Jews, but due to their rejection, it was extended to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 60:3
Prophecy that nations will come to the light of Israel, indicating the future inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan.

Zechariah 8:23
A prophecy about people from all nations seeking the God of Israel, reflecting the future fullness of Israel's role.
How Much More!T.F. Lockyer Romans 11:11-16
Church Offices and Magnifying ThemJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:11-22
Concern for KindredJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:11-22
Necessaries of the Ministerial OfficeR. M'All, D.D.Romans 11:11-22
Paul Magnifying His OfficeJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:11-22
Provoking to EmulationS. Martin.Romans 11:11-22
The Benefit Resulting from the Conversion of the JewsElnathan Parr, B.D.Romans 11:11-22
The Calling of the Jews the Enriching of the WorldElnathan Parr, B.D.Romans 11:11-22
The Conversion of the JewsN. Emmons, D.D.Romans 11:11-22
The Dignity of the Christian MinistryD. Kennedy, D.D.Romans 11:11-22
The Fall of IsraelJ. Lyth, D.DRomans 11:11-22
The Holiness of the Firstfruit and the LumpElnathan Parr, B.D.Romans 11:11-22
The Ministerial Office not an Easy OneRomans 11:11-22
The Rejection of IsraelJ. Lyth, D.D.Romans 11:11-22
Israel's FutureR.M. Edgar Romans 11:11-32
The Jewish People: Their Past History and Their Future ProspectsC.H. Irwin Romans 11:11-32
People
Benjamin, David, Elias, Elijah, Jacob, Paul, Romans
Places
Rome, Zion
Topics
Bring, Diminishing, Diminution, Enriching, Failure, Fall, Follow, Fulfillment, Full, Fullness, Fulness, Gentiles, Glory, Greater, Inclusion, Lapse, Loss, Mean, Nations, Overthrow, Rather, Restoration, Riches, Transgression, Trespass, Wealth, World's
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Romans 11:12

     5398   loss

Romans 11:1-12

     6710   privileges
     7135   Israel, people of God

Romans 11:1-18

     7125   elect, the

Romans 11:1-36

     4492   olive

Romans 11:11-12

     4942   fulness
     8744   faithlessness, as disobedience

Romans 11:11-21

     7512   Gentiles, in NT

Romans 11:11-24

     4416   branch

Library
June 19. "Who Hath First Given to Him, and it Shall be Recompensed unto Him Again" (Rom. xi. 35).
"Who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again" (Rom. xi. 35). The Christian women of the world have it in their power, by a very little sacrifice, to add millions to the treasury of the Lord. Beloved sisters, have you found the joy of sacrifice for Jesus? Have you given up something that you might give it to Him? Are you giving your substance to Jesus? He will take it, and He will give you a thousandfold more. I should rather be connected with a work founded on great sacrifice
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Trinity Sunday the Article of Faith on the Trinity.
Text: Romans 11, 33-36. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen. THE ARTICLE OF FAITH ON THE TRINITY. 1. This epistle is read today because the festival
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 11, 33-36. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon was first printed in 1535, at Wittenberg.] 1. This festival requires us to instruct the people in the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and to strengthen both memory and faith concerning it. This is the reason why we take up the subject once more. Without proper instruction and a sound foundation in this regard, other dogmas cannot be rightly and successfully treated. The other festivals of the year present
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Spiritual Blindness.
"As it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear."--ROMANS xi. 8. "Blindness in part is happened to Israel."--ROMANS xi. 25. It is a sad and painful reflection, and one which is continually forced upon us as we read the New Testament, that the long training and preparation of the Jews brought them at the last not to the acceptance but to the rejection of Jesus. They had been taught, generation after generation, that they
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Christianity Requires the Temper of Childhood.
MARK x. 15.--"Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." These words of our Lord are very positive and emphatic, and will, therefore, receive a serious attention from every one who is anxious concerning his future destiny beyond the grave. For, they mention an indispensable requisite in order to an entrance into eternal life. "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

The Hardening of Nations.
"The election hath obtained it, and the rest were hardened."-- Rom. xi. 7. St. Paul's word, at the head of this article, is strikingly impressive, and its content exceedingly rich and instructive. It clearly announces the fact that the hardening is not exceptional or occasional, but universal, affecting all, who, being in contact with the divine Love, are not saved by it. The last limitation is necessary, for of the heathen it can not be said that they are hardened. Only they can be hardened who
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Of Holy virginity
Of Holy Virginity. [De Virginitate.] Translated by Rev. C. I. Cornish, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford Retr. ii. 23. "After I had written on the Good of Marriage,' it was expected that I should write on Holy Virginity; and I did not delay to do so: and that it is God's gift, and how great a gift, and with what humility to be guarded, so far as I was able I set forth in one volume. This book begins," &c. c1. We lately put forth a book "of the Good of Marriage," in which also we admonished and admonish
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Now this Election the Apostle Demonstrating to Be...
17. Now this election the Apostle demonstrating to be, not of merits going before in good works, but election of grace, saith thus: "And in this time a remnant by election of grace is saved. But if by grace, then is it no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace." [2672] This is election of grace; that is, election in which through the grace of God men are elected: this, I say, is election of grace which goes before all good merits of men. For if it be to any good merits that it is given,
St. Augustine—On Patience

History of Arian Opinions.
Arius's own sentiments; his Thalia and Letter to S. Alexander; corrections by Eusebius and others; extracts from the works of Asterius; letter of the Council of Jerusalem; first Creed of Arians at the Dedication of Antioch; second, Lucian's on the same occasion; third, by Theophronius; fourth, sent to Constans in Gaul; fifth, the Macrostich sent into Italy; sixth, at Sirmium; seventh, at the same place; and eighth also, as given above in §8; ninth, at Seleucia; tenth, at Constantinople; eleventh,
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Epistle Xliii. To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops.
To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops. Gregory to Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria, and Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. When the excellent preacher says, As long as I am the apostle of the Gentiles I will honour my ministry (Rom. xi. 13); saying again in another place, We became as babes among you (1 Thess. ii. 7), he undoubtedly shews an example to us who come after him, that we should retain humility in our minds, and yet keep in honour the dignity of our order, so that neither should our humility be
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Beatific vision. (Continued. )
In the Beatific Vision our intellect is glorified, and our thirst for knowledge completely satisfied. Man was created with a thirst for knowledge which can never be satiated in this world. Sin, which greatly weakened and darkened his mental faculties, has not taken away his desire and love for knowledge. And the knowledge which he acquired by eating the forbidden fruit, rather increased than satisfied his thirst. But all his efforts to reach the perfection of knowledge, even in the natural order,
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be the glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). Has God foreordained everything that comes to pass? Has He decreed that what is, was to have been? In the final analysis this is only another way of asking, Is God now governing the world and everyone and everything in it? If God is governing the world then is He governing it according to a definite purpose, or aimlessly and at random? If He is governing it according to some purpose, then
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Reprobation Asserted: Or, the Doctrine of Eternal Election and Reprobation Promiscuously Handled, in Eleven Chapters.
WHEREIN THE MOST MATERIAL OBJECTIONS MADE BY THE OPPOSERS OF THIS DOCTRINE, ARE FULLY ANSWERED; SEVERAL DOUBTS REMOVED, AND SUNDRY CASES OF CONSCIENCE RESOLVED. BY JOHN BUNYAN OF BEDFORD, A LOVER OF PEACE AND TRUTH. 'What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.'--Romans 11:7 London: Printed for G. L., and are to be sold in Turn-stile-alley, in Holbourn. Small 4to, 44 pages. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This valuable tract
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Original and the Actual Relation of Man to Law.
ROMANS vii. 10.--"The commandment which, was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." The reader of St. Paul's Epistles is struck with the seemingly disparaging manner in which he speaks of the moral law. In one place, he tells his reader that "the law entered that the offence might abound;" in another, that "the law worketh wrath;" in another, that "sin shall not have dominion" over the believer because he is "not under the law;" in another, that Christians "are become dead to the law;" in
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

"Wash You, Make You Clean; Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from Before Mine Eyes; Cease to do Evil,"
Isaiah i. 16.--"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil," &c. There are two evils in sin,--one is the nature of it, another the fruit and sad effect of it. In itself it is filthiness, and contrary to God's holiness; an abasing of the immortal soul; a spot in the face of the Lord of the creatures, that hath far debased him under them all. Though it be so unnatural to us, yet it is now in our fallen estate become, as it were, natural, so that
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

God's Works of Providence
Rom. xi. 36.--"For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, Amen."--Psal. ciii. 19.--"The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth over all."--Matt. x. 29.--"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." There is nothing more commonly confessed in words, than that the providence of God reaches to all the creatures and their actions, but I believe there is no point of religion
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Because of Its Bearing Upon the Gentiles.
This aspect of our subject has not received the attention which it deserves. It has been assumed by some that the present dispensation is the time when God is blessing the Gentiles and that in the Millennium the Jews will be the special objects of God's favor. It is true that in the Millennium Israel shall enter into the enjoyment of their inheritance and that at that time they shall occupy the chief position, governmentally, among the nations, but it is a mistake to suppose that the Gentiles will
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Some General Uses.
Before we come to speak of some particular cases of deadness, wherein believers are to make use of Christ as the Life, we shall first propose some useful consequences and deductions from what hath been spoken of this life; and, I. The faith of those things, which have been mentioned, would be of great use and advantage to believers; and therefore they should study to have the faith of this truth fixed on their hearts, and a deep impression thereof on their spirits, to the end, that, 1. Be their case
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Work of the Holy Spirit Distinguished.
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."--Gen. i. 2. What, in general, is the work of the Holy Spirit as distinguished from that of the Father and of the Son? Not that every believer needs to know these distinctions in all particulars. The existence of faith does not depend upon intellectual distinctions. The main question is not whether we can distinguish the work of the Father from that of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, but whether we have experienced their gracious operations.
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

I Fear, I Say, Greatly for Thee, Lest...
39. I fear, I say, greatly for thee, lest, when thou boastest that thou wilt follow the Lamb wheresoever He shall have gone, thou be unable by reason of swelling pride to follow Him through strait ways. It is good for thee, O virgin soul, that thus, as thou art a virgin, thus altogether keeping in thy heart that thou hast been born again, keeping in thy flesh that thou hast been born, thou yet conceive of the fear of the Lord, and give birth to the spirit of salvation. [2142] "Fear," indeed, "there
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Concerning the Ministry.
Concerning the Ministry. As by the light or gift of God all true knowledge in things spiritual is received and revealed, so by the same, as it is manifested and received in the heart, by the strength and power thereof, every true minister of the gospel is ordained, prepared, and supplied in the work of the ministry; and by the leading, moving, and drawing hereof ought every evangelist and Christian pastor to be led and ordered in his labour and work of the gospel, both as to the place where, as to
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Angel's Message and Song
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD . And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

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