The Fulness of the Gentiles and the Times of the Gentiles

Michael Hardt

 In Romans 11:25, Paul uses the expression: ‘the fulness of the Gentiles’. What does he mean by this and how does it relate, if at all, to ‘the times of the Gentiles’ (Luke 21:24), which we have been considering in the Book of Daniel? 

To answer these questions we need to examine the context of the verse in Romans: 

(i) chapters 1–8 show that the gospel puts Jews and Gentiles on an equal footing (all are lost, and all can be saved by grace through faith); 

(ii) chapters 9–11 show that this message does not annul the promises given to Israel in the Old Testament. 

In chapter 11, Paul uses the figure of an olive tree — emblem of fatness (Jdg. 9:9) and hence the place of blessing — to show that once, Israel had enjoyed the privileges of being God’s people. They are the natural branches of the olive tree, but most of them rejected Christ and, therefore, lost the place of blessing (they are the natural branches that were broken off; 11:17). However, a number have believed the gospel (the natural branches that are not broken off). 

While ‘blindness in part is happened to Israel’ (v. 25), the gospel has gone out to the Gentile nations (e.g. Acts 13:46). In professing Christianity they have enjoyed outward blessings (they are the wild branches that have been grafted in). Furthermore, many individuals from among them have turned to Christ in faith and been saved. It is this work of grace that Paul calls ‘the fulness of the Gentiles’. Once it is completed God will work among His earthly people for blessing. This will happen after the rapture, during the time of tribulation. Then ‘all Israel18 shall be saved. According as it is written, The deliverer shall come out of Zion; he shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob’ (11:26). God says in Hosea: ‘I will sow her unto me in the land; and I will have mercy upon Lo-ruhamah; and I will say to Lo-ammi, Thou art my people; and they shall say, My God’ (2:23). 

Conclusion 

The times of the Gentiles is the name our Lord gave to the period when earthly dominion is in the hands of the nations (not Israel). It began around 606 BC and will end at the appearing of Christ. 

The fulness of the Gentiles designates those saved from among the nations while Israel, as a people, are set aside through unbelief. 

The Editors (Simon Attwood, Mark Grasso, Michael Hardt)

________________

From: Truth and Testimony, 2022