Romans 11:12

New Living Translation

Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God's offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Their mistake brought rich blessings to the world. And what they lost brought rich blessings to the non-Jewish people. So surely the world will get much richer blessings when enough Jews become the kind of people God wants.

Revised Standard Version
Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Wherfore yf the faule of them be the ryches of the worlde: and the mynysshynge of them the ryches of the gentyls: How moche more shuld it be so yf they all beleved.

Hebrew Names Version
Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Goyim; how much more their fullness?

International Standard Version
Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their fall means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

New American Standard Bible
Now if their wrongdoing proves to be riches for the world, and their failure, riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

New Century Version
The Jews' failure brought rich blessings for the world, and the Jews' loss brought rich blessings for the non-Jewish people. So surely the world will receive much richer blessings when enough Jews become the kind of people God wants.

Update Bible Version
Now if their fall, is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?

English Standard Version
Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

World English Bible
Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But if their fall be the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fulness?

Weymouth's New Testament
and if their lapse is the enriching of the world, and their overthrow the enriching of the Gentiles, will not still greater good follow their restoration?

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
That if the gilt of hem ben richessis of the world, and the makyng lesse of hem ben richessis of hethene men, hou myche more the plente of hem?

English Revised Version
Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Berean Standard Bible
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!

Contemporary English Version
But if the rest of the world's people were helped so much by Israel's sin and loss, they will be helped even more by their full return.

Amplified Bible
Now if Israel's transgression means riches for the world [at large] and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment and reinstatement be!

American Standard Version
Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Bible in Basic English
Now, if their fall is the wealth of the world, and their loss the wealth of the Gentiles, how much greater will be the glory when they are made full?

Complete Jewish Bible
Moreover, if their stumbling is bringing riches to the world — that is, if Isra'el's being placed temporarily in a condition less favored than that of the Gentiles is bringing riches to the latter — how much greater riches will Isra'el in its fullness bring them!

Darby Translation
But if their fall [be the] world's wealth, and their loss [the] wealth of [the] nations, how much rather their fulness?

Etheridge Translation
And if their stumbling were wealth to the world, and their condemnation wealth to the Gentiles, how much then will their fulness be?

Murdock Translation
And if their stumbling was riches to the world, and their condemnation riches to the Gentiles; how much more their completeness?

King James Version (1611)
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them, the riches of the Gentiles: how much more their fulnesse?

New Life Bible
The world received good things from God because of the sin of the Jews. Because the Jews did not receive God's free gift, the people who are not Jews received good things from Him. Think how much more the world will receive when the Jews finish God's plan by putting their trust in Christ!

New Revised Standard
Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherefore if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more shall their aboundance be?

George Lamsa Translation
Now if their stumbling has resulted in riches to the world, and their condemnation in riches to the Gentiles; how much more is their restoration?

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If, moreover, their fail, is the riches of a world, and their loss, the riches of nations, how much rather their fullness?

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now if the offence of them be the riches of the world and the diminution of them the riches of the Gentiles: how much more the fulness of them?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Nowe, yf the fall of them be ye ryches of the worlde, and the minishyng of the, the ryches of the gentiles: Howe much more their fulnesse?

Good News Translation
The sin of the Jews brought rich blessings to the world, and their spiritual poverty brought rich blessings to the Gentiles. Then, how much greater the blessings will be when the complete number of Jews is included!

Christian Standard Bible®
Now if their transgression brings riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness bring!

King James Version
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Lexham English Bible
And if their trespass means riches for the world and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean?

Literal Translation
But if their slipping away is the riches of the world, and their default the riches of the nations, how much more their fullness?

Young's Literal Translation
and if the fall of them [is] the riches of a world, and the diminution of them the riches of nations, how much more the fulness of them?

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For yf their fall be the riches of the worlde, and the mynishinge of the the riches of the Heythen: how moch more shulde it be so, yf their fulnesse were there?

Mace New Testament (1729)
now if their fall be to the advancement of the world, and the few converts among them bring in whole numbers of the Gentiles: how much more so will it be, when the Jewish body recover?

New English Translation
Now if their transgression means riches for the world and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration bring?

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

Simplified Cowboy Version
If God would give so much to outsiders, think about how much he would give his own people.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

Legacy Standard Bible
Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness be!

Contextual Overview

¹ I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ² No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, ³ " Lord , they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." ⁴ And do you remember God's reply? He said, "No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!" ⁵ It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. ⁶ And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. ⁷ So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. ⁸ As the Scriptures say, "God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear." ⁹ Likewise, David said, "Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. ¹⁰ Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the world: Romans 11:15, Romans 11:33, Romans 9:23, Ephesians 3:8, Colossians 1:27

diminishing: decay, or, loss

their: Romans 11:25, Isaiah 11:11-16, Isaiah 12:1-6, Isaiah 60:1-22, Isaiah 66:8-20, Micah 4:1, Micah 4:2, Micah 5:7, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:20-23, Revelation 11:15-19

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:27 - dwell Leviticus 26:45 - for their Judges 6:39 - dry Isaiah 54:3 - thou shalt Ezekiel 5:11 - will I Zephaniah 3:10 - General Romans 3:29 - General Romans 11:11 - but rather Romans 11:19 - that 1 Corinthians 1:5 - in every 2 Corinthians 6:10 - making 2 Corinthians 8:8 - by occasion 2 Corinthians 8:9 - that ye Hebrews 9:14 - How

Cross-References

Luke 3:36
Shelah was the son of Cainan. Cainan was the son of Arphaxad. Arphaxad was the son of Shem. Shem was the son of Noah. Noah was the son of Lamech.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world,.... By "the world", as is clear from the next clause, is meant the Gentiles; who were frequently called so by the Jews, who reckoned themselves to be "the church", and all the nations round about them, "the world"; which observation may serve to illustrate other passages of Scripture; see John 3:16; now the fall of the Jews, which was a lessening of them, was the riches of the Gentiles;

and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; the number of the true believers in Christ among them were very few, the generality of them received him not, but stumbled at him, and fell through unbelief; but the few that did believe were the means of carrying and spreading the Gospel, which is, "the unsearchable riches of Christ", Ephesians 3:8, in the Gentile world: thus at first a persecution being raised against the church at Jerusalem, the ministers of the Gospel were scattered abroad, and went everywhere preaching the word; and afterwards the Jews behaving in a very indecent manner towards the apostles of Christ, they turned in a manner wholly to the Gentiles; and thus by the means of a few, a diminutive company, of which the Apostle Paul was one, the Gospel, the pearl of great price, treasure hid in a field, and put into earthen vessels, was carried into the Heathen world, and by it they were enriched. This handful of men that went out of Judea, were the means of converting vast numbers, large multitudes of souls among the Gentiles, which may be also designed by "riches": this word sometimes signifying plenty, see Romans 2:4; and also of enriching them with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and of directing them to Christ, who has durable riches, treasures of wisdom and knowledge, riches of grace, and riches of glory. Now the apostle argues, that if such a small number of the Jews who embraced Christ, were of so much advantage to the Gentiles,

how much more their fulness? when converts to Christ among them will be as the sand of the sea, a nation of them shall be born again at once, and all Israel be saved. This will be a great accession to the Gentile church, bring much glory to it, contribute greatly to its welfare, and be a means of establishing their faith, and of putting fresh life and vigour into them, and of inspiring them with more zeal for Christ, and for his honour and glory.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If the fall of them - If their lapse, or falling. If their temporal rejection and being cast off for a time has already accomplished so much.

Be the riches of the world - The word “riches” means wealth, abundance of property; more than is necessary to the supply of our needs. Hence, it means also anything that may promote our comfort or happiness, as wealth is the means of securing our welfare. The gospel is called riches, as it is the means of our highest enjoyment, and eternal welfare. It is the means of conferring numberless spiritual blessings on the Gentile world; and as this was done by the fall of the Jews, so it could be said that their fall was the riches of the world. It was the occasion or means without which the blessings of the gospel could not be conferred on the world.

The diminishing of them - Margin, “Decay.” “Loss” ἥττημα hēttēma. This word means diminution, defect, what is lacked or missing. Hence, also judgment, condemnation. Here it means their degradation; the withdrawing of their special privileges; their rejection. It stands opposed to “their fulness.”

The riches of the Gentiles - The means of conferring important blessings on the Gentiles.

How much more their fulness - The word “fulness” πλήρωμα plērōma means what fills up, or completes anything. Thus, it is applied to what fills a vessel or cup; also to the piece of cloth which is put in to fill up the rent in a garment; Matthew 9:16. To the fragments which were left when Christ had fed the five thousand; Mark 8:20; Romans 13:10. “Love is the fulfilling of the law,” that is, it is the filling up of the law, or what renders the obedience complete; see Galatians 5:14. Here it stands opposed to their fall, and their diminution, and evidently means their complete restoration to the favor of God; their recovery from unbelief and apostasy. That there will be such a recovery, the apostle proceeds to show. The sentiment of the passage then is, If their rejection and punishment; their being cut off from the favor of God, an event apparently so unlikely to promote the spread of true religion, if their being withrawn from all active influence in spreading the true knowledge of God, be yet the occasion of so many blessings to mankind as have attended the spread of the gospel in consequence of it; how much more shall we expect when they shall be restored; when the energy and zeal of the Jewish nation shall unite with the efforts of others in spreading the knowledge of the true Messiah. In what way, or when, this shall be, we know not. But it is easy to see, that if the Jewish people should be converted to the Christian faith, they would have facilities for spreading the truth, which the church has never had without them.

(1) They are scattered in all nations, and have access to all people.

(2) Their conversion, after so long unbelief, would have all the power and influence of a miracle performed in view of all nations. It would be seen why they had been preserved, and their conversion would be a most striking fulfillment of the prophecies.

(3) They are familiar with the languages of the world, and their conversion would at once establish many Christian missionaries in the heart of all the kingdoms of the world. It would be kindling at once a thousand lights in all the dark parts of the earth.

(4) The Jews have shown that they are eminently suited to spread the true religion. It was by Jews converted to Christianity, that the gospel was first spread. Each of the apostles was a Jew; and they have lost none of the ardor, enterprise, and zeal that always characterized their nation. Their conversion would be, therefore, to give to the church a host of missionaries prepared for their work, familiar with all customs, languages, and climes, and already in the heart of all kingdoms, and with facilities for their work in advance, which others must gain only by the slow toil of many years.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 11:12. Now if the fall of them — The English reader may imagine that, because fall is used in both these verses, the original word is the same. But their fall, and the fall of them, is παραπτωμα, the same word which we render offence, Romans 5:15; Romans 5:17-18, and might be rendered lapse. Whereas that they should fall (Romans 11:11) is, ινα πεσωσι. Now, πιπτω, to fall, is used in a sense so very emphatical as to signify being slain. So Homer, Il. viii., ver. 475.

Ηματι τῳ, οτ' αν οἱ μεν επι πρυμνησι μαχωνται,

Στεινει εν αινοτατῳ, περι Πατροκλοιο πεσοντος

Ὡς γαρ θεσφατον εστι.

And for Patroclus slain, the crowded hosts,

In narrow space, shall at the ships contend.

Such the divine decree.

And again, Il. xi., ver. 84.

Οφρα μεν ηως ην και αεξετο ἱερον ημαρ,

Τοφρα μαλ' αμφοτερων βελε' ἡπτετο, πιπτε δε λαος.

While morning lasted, and the light of day

Increased, so long the weapons on both sides

Flew in thick vollies; and the people fell.

COWPER.

It is well known, that to fall in battle means to be killed. It is in such a sense as this that St. Paul used the word fall, when he says, Have they stumbled that they should FALL? He means a fall quite destructive and ruinous; whereas by their fall, and the fall of them, he means no more than such a lapse as was recoverable; as in the case of Adam's offence. See Dr. Taylor.

The riches of the world — If, in consequence of their unbelief, the riches of God's grace and goodness be poured out on the whole Gentile world, how much more shall that dispensation of grace and mercy enrich and aggrandize the Gentiles, which shall bring the whole body of the Jews to the faith of the Gospel! Here the apostle supposes, or rather predicts, that such a dispensation shall take place; and that, therefore, the Jews have not so stumbled as to be finally irrecoverable.