What does the word mystery mean in Romans 11:25?
In Romans 11:25, mystery means a secret previously held in God's mind and revealed to Paul. It is that Israel's blindness is partial and temporary until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, and that Gentiles would be saved without Israel, contrary to Old Testament expectation.
Les explains that the other word for mystery is secret, and it was held in the mind of God until revealed to the apostle Paul. In Romans 11:25, this secret is that blindness in part has happened to Israel, not forever, but until the fullness of the Gentiles be brought in. The Old Testament understood God would one day save Gentiles, but had no idea it would be without Israel; Israel was expected to become the obedient vehicle, a kingdom of priests, to evangelize the Gentiles.
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
More Questions
Why does Paul reveal the mystery in Romans 11:25?
Paul calls this truth a mystery, meaning a secret, and he reveals it so the brethren would not be ignorant and become wise in their own conceit.
What is the mystery about Israel in Romans 11:25?
In Romans 11:25 Paul reveals the mystery that Israel has experienced a spiritual blindness in part, and this blindness lasts only until the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in.
What mystery did Paul reveal in Romans 11:25?
In Romans 11:25 Paul reveals a mystery never before revealed in Scripture: Israel has received only a partial spiritual blindness that lasts until the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in.
What is the 'until' of Romans 11:25 referring to?
Once the Body of Christ is complete, God will deliver it from its confines on earth by rapturing it out, and that rapture is the 'until' of Romans 11:25.