What Is the “Fullness of the Gentiles”?
Question 10018
In Romans 11:25, Paul speaks of a “partial hardening” upon Israel that will continue “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” This phrase—”the fullness of the Gentiles” (τὸ πλήρωμα τῶν ἐθνῶν, to plērōma tōn ethnōn)—has generated considerable discussion. What exactly does it mean? And how does it relate to God’s timetable for Israel’s future salvation?
The Meaning of “Fullness” (Plērōma)
The Greek word πλήρωμα (plērōma) carries the idea of fullness, completeness, or the full number. It can refer to that which fills something up or that which makes something complete. Paul uses this same word in Romans 11:12, where he speaks of Israel’s “fullness” (plērōma) in contrast to their “trespass” and “failure.” If Israel’s rejection brought riches to the world, Paul reasons, how much more will their fullness bring!
When applied to the Gentiles in verse 25, “fullness” most naturally refers to the complete number or full complement of Gentiles whom God is calling to salvation during this present age. It is not simply a large number but the number God has ordained—the full measure He intends to save before turning His attention back to Israel nationally.
The Relationship to Israel’s Hardening
Paul’s argument in Romans 11 traces a remarkable divine strategy. Israel stumbled over the gospel (vv. 11-12), but their stumbling was not purposeless. Through Israel’s rejection, salvation came to the Gentiles. God has been using Israel’s unbelief to bring blessing to the nations.
The “partial hardening” on Israel is thus both judicial (a consequence of their rejection) and instrumental (serving God’s purposes for the Gentiles). But this hardening has a terminus: it continues “until” (ἄχρι οὗ, achri hou) the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. The word “until” indicates a temporal boundary. When God’s purposes for the Gentiles in this age reach their fulfilment, the hardening on Israel will be lifted, and “all Israel will be saved.”
Distinguishing from “Times of the Gentiles”
It is important to distinguish the “fullness of the Gentiles” from the “times of the Gentiles” mentioned by Jesus in Luke 21:24: “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Though both expressions contain “Gentiles” and “until,” they refer to different concepts.
The “times of the Gentiles” (καιροὶ ἐθνῶν, kairoi ethnōn) refers to the period of Gentile political dominion over Jerusalem and Israel. This began with Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest in 586 BC and continues until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom. Even though Israel controls Jerusalem today, Gentile powers still exert significant influence over the city’s status, and complete Jewish sovereignty awaits the Millennial Kingdom.
The “fullness of the Gentiles,” by contrast, refers to the complete number of Gentiles God is calling to salvation during the present Church age. It is a soteriological concept (dealing with salvation) rather than a political one (dealing with dominion). As Arnold Fruchtenbaum notes in Israelology, “The Times of the Gentiles deals with political Gentile domination of Jerusalem, while the fullness of the Gentiles deals with Gentile salvation” (p. 823).
The Dispensational Understanding
From a dispensational perspective, the “fullness of the Gentiles” marks the completion of God’s present purpose in calling out a predominantly Gentile people for His name—the Church. This present age, often called the Church age or the dispensation of grace, began at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out and Jews and Gentiles were baptised into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13).
During this age, while Israel as a nation remains in unbelief, God has been building His Church. As James declared at the Jerusalem Council: “Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name” (Acts 15:14). This Gentile ingathering has been the dominant feature of the Church age, though of course Jews have also come to faith and been added to the Church.
The completion of this Gentile fullness connects with the Rapture of the Church. When the last Gentile whom God has ordained for salvation in this age comes to faith, the Church will be complete. At that point, Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, the dead in Christ will rise, and living believers will be caught up together with them (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The Church age will end, God will resume His programme with Israel, and the events of Daniel’s seventieth week—the seven-year Tribulation—will unfold.
This understanding is supported by the connection Paul makes between Gentile fullness and Israel’s salvation. Once the Gentile complement is complete, God turns His attention back to Israel. The Tribulation period serves, in part, as God’s instrument for bringing Israel to repentance and preparing them to receive their Messiah at His return.
What Does “Come In” Mean?
The verb “come in” (εἰσέρχομαι, eiserchomai) naturally suggests entering somewhere—but entering what? Several possibilities have been suggested. Some understand it as entering the kingdom of God or salvation. Others see it as entering the Church. Still others connect it to the olive tree imagery Paul has been using, understanding “come in” as the grafting in of Gentile branches.
The olive tree context supports this last interpretation. In verses 17-24, Paul describes Gentile believers as wild olive branches grafted into the cultivated olive tree. The Gentile fullness “coming in” would then refer to the complete number of Gentile branches being grafted into the tree of God’s covenant blessings. When that grafting process is complete, God’s special work with the Gentiles in this age reaches its fulfilment.
Practical Implications
Understanding the “fullness of the Gentiles” has several practical implications for believers today. First, it reminds us that God is presently at work gathering His elect from among the nations. Every time a Gentile comes to faith in Jesus, the fullness draws closer to completion. Evangelism is not merely human effort but participation in God’s sovereign plan to complete His Church.
Second, it should create urgency in our gospel witness. The fullness of the Gentiles will one day be complete. When it is, the current opportunity for Gentiles to be saved during this age of grace will end. This doesn’t mean Gentiles cannot be saved during the Tribulation—Revelation 7 shows a great multitude from every nation—but the present dispensation of the Spirit’s work through the Church will have concluded.
Third, it should produce humility in Gentile believers. Paul’s whole point in Romans 11 is to warn Gentiles against arrogance toward Israel. The Gentile ingathering exists in the context of Israel’s temporary hardening. Gentiles have not replaced Israel; they have been graciously included during Israel’s partial blindness. When the Gentile fullness comes in, God’s purposes will shift back to Israel in a dramatic way.
Conclusion
The “fullness of the Gentiles” refers to the complete number of Gentiles whom God is calling to salvation during the present Church age. When this fullness comes in—when the last Gentile ordained to salvation in this age believes—Israel’s partial hardening will be lifted, and God will bring the nation to salvation through the events surrounding Jesus’ return. This understanding fits Paul’s argument in Romans 11, accords with the olive tree imagery, and aligns with the dispensational understanding of God’s distinct purposes for Israel and the Church. We live in the time of Gentile ingathering, with each conversion bringing us closer to the completion of the Church and the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel.
“I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Romans 11:25
Bibliography
- Bruce, F.F. The Epistle to the Romans. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985.
- Cranfield, C.E.B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Vol. 2. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1979.
- Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 1994.
- Moo, Douglas J. The Epistle to the Romans. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
- Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.
- Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958.
- Ryrie, Charles C. Dispensationalism. Chicago: Moody Press, 1995.
- Saucy, Robert L. The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.
- Walvoord, John F. The Millennial Kingdom. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1959.
- Witmer, John A. “Romans.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 435-503. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983.