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What is the Fullness of the Gentiles in the Bible?

Contributing Writer
Updated Jan 29, 2025
What is the Fullness of the Gentiles in the Bible?

Have you ever collected anything? I’ve collected some strange things over the years, but one of my favorite things to collect is books. Occasionally, I discover a new-to-me author that I love so much I want to have all their books on my shelf. So, the hunt begins! I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to finish reading that last missing book, slide it in place next to the others, and see a full and complete collection–until their next book comes out! I know this analogy is stretching things a bit, but it does help me visualize a concept we read about in the Bible: the fullness of the Gentiles. 

Max Lucado also visualized this great event. He explains it this way in his new book, What Happens Next

"In my imagination I see one of the angels standing next to the Book of Life, checking name after name until the “full number” of God’s flock has come in. At that moment history’s greatest evacuation event will occur." (Pg. 86)

What is this great event? We’ll talk about that more later. Let’s start with a deeper look at this powerful phrase. 

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Why Is “Fullness of the Gentiles” Such a Powerful Biblical Phrase?

Why Is “Fullness of the Gentiles” Such a Powerful Biblical Phrase?

We find the phrase fullness of the Gentiles in Romans 11:25. The New King James Version reads: “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Some translations, such as the New Living Translation, use the phrase full number of the Gentiles.

Fullness is the key word in this phrase. The Greek word plērōma can mean “completeness or fullness of time.” It can also mean “abundance” or “the body of believers, as that which is filled with the presence, power, agency, riches of God and of Christ.” 

The phrase fullness of the Gentiles is so powerful because it tells us that God has a plan. This plan isn’t just for the Israelites or the modern church. It’s a plan for all of humanity that reaches all the way back to God’s covenant with Israel.

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tree; gentiles grafted in

Where Does the Phrase “Fullness of the Gentiles” Come From?

It’s always important to look at a verse in context. Paul begins Romans 11 with an important question and a quick answer. Romans 11:1-2 (NLT) says, “I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! … No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning.” 

Remember, Paul is living in the days of the early church. He’s writing this letter to Christians who live in Rome, a majority who were Gentiles. (When you read the word Gentile, think non-Jewish. Some Gentiles believed in Jesus, some did not.) When I think about what this time in history must have been like, I imagine the Gentile Christians had feelings of superiority over the Jewish people. But Paul is making it clear to the church that God has not rejected his people. He explains the current situation. 

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. 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.” (Romans 11:7-8)

Why would God allow this? Paul tells us that too, in verse 11: “Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.”

When God’s people, the Israelites, rejected Jesus as their Messiah, it opened the doors for Gentiles to receive Jesus as their Savior. God wanted to make His people jealous with the hope that they will turn to Jesus too. Full restoration of the Jewish people is coming (Romans 11:12, 15). 

Paul also liked to visualize things. He goes on to write about trees and roots and branches. Abraham is the tree and some of the branches have broken off his tree (some of the people of Israel) and branches from a wild olive tree (Gentiles) have been grafted in. Now, Gentiles have a share in God’s promises to Abraham. We also get to share in the nourishment that comes from the root of God’s chosen tree. (Romans 11:17)

Just when the Roman church was feeling pretty good about themselves, Paul gives a strong warning. Romans 11:18 says, “But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.” Gentiles are grafted into this tree when they believe in Jesus. It’s an incredible gift and it’s one that He also gives to His chosen people. “And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree" (Romans 11:23).

God’s plan is for all people. He wants Jews and Gentiles alike to worship Him. He made a covenant with Israel, sent Jesus to save the world, welcomed in the Gentiles, and soon His attention will turn back to Israel. Once the fullness of Gentiles has come to know Jesus, God “will turn Israel away from ungodliness.” (Romans 11:26)

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Missing puzzle piece

How Does the Bible Describe the Role of Gentiles in God’s Plan? 

I get overwhelmed when I think about God’s plan for the world. It’s so detailed and specific, revealing how much God loves and cares for all people. The fact that Gentiles are included in His plan is a gift. We see throughout Scripture that God had us in mind too. Let’s look at some examples. 

“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

“And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 3:6

God always wants more people to know Him. In Isaiah 56 we see God’s heart for foreigners. He blesses those who love Him and says that His Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. 

We see God’s heart for the nations again in Acts 2. On the day of Pentecost all those who believed in Jesus were together in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit filled them, giving them the ability to speak other languages. There were devout Jews there from every nation and they heard the disciples speaking to them in their own languages. About 3,000 people from many nations believed in Jesus that day. Later, these new believers would return to their countries of origin, taking the good news of Jesus with them. This event was a huge catalyst in bringing in the fullness of the Gentiles. 

If we go back to Romans 11:25-26, we’ll see that the inclusion of the Gentiles impacts Israel’s spiritual restoration. 

"I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, 'The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness'" (emphasis mine).

Israel won’t be spiritually restored until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. Once this happens, God will turn Israel away from ungodliness and all Israel will be saved. David Guzik, in the Enduring Word Commentary, has interesting things to say about these verses. He notes that Paul is talking about the physical nation of Israel, not “spiritual Israel.” He also clarifies:

"All Israel will be saved: This does not mean there will be a time when every last person of Jewish descent will be saved. Instead, this is a time when Israel as a whole will be a saved people, and when the nation as a whole (especially its leadership) embraces Jesus Christ as Messiah."

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hands out and upward toward glowing cross in sky rapture second coming of Christ

How Does the “Fullness of the Gentiles” Relate to End-Times Prophecy?

The fullness of the Gentiles is directly linked to end-times prophecy. I’m going to go back to Max Lucado’s book to help me explain. Chapter 7 is called The Rebel and the Rescue and discusses the rapture of the church. Lucado writes: 

"Christians, upon the signal of Christ, will be transported into the presence of Christ. This rescue could happen at any moment. It will be activated by the conclusion of the church age. Or, as Paul wrote, when ‘the full number of the Gentiles come in’" (Rom. 11:25 RS; see also Luke 21:24, Pg. 86).

At this point in history, we’re hitting the climax of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Isn’t it exciting? Lucado believes the rapture will happen before the tribulation. The disappearance of perhaps billions of Christians will leave the world in confusion and chaos. The antichrist will come and deceive many. But what about Israel? How are they connected to these events? In the most wonderful way! 

In the book of Revelation, John sees a vision of the last days. At one point he sees four angels at the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds. Another angel comes from the east carrying the seal of the living God. 

"And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, 'Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.' And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel."

These 144,000 from the tribes of Israel will not only believe in Jesus, they’ll tell the world about Him. Lucado writes, “This will be the finest hour of the Jewish people. When God told Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to the world, this event was part of that promise” (Pg. 133).

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Why Does the “Fullness of the Gentiles” Matter for Modern Believers?

Why Does the “Fullness of the Gentiles” Matter for Modern Believers?

God has made a lot of promises to His people, both Jews and Gentiles. It can feel as if He’s slow to keep those promises. But remember, God has a plan, and that plan is to save as many people as possible. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

God does everything possible to save all people, except take away their right to deny Him. In 2 Peter 3:3 Peter writes, “I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.” 

Are we living in the last days? It sure feels like it. Even if these aren’t the “last days” we still only have so much time on this earth. The fullness of the Gentiles is coming. This knowledge should inspire us to share Jesus with anyone and everyone! It should also help us live with a sense of hope. I’ll end with some advice from Peter. 

"And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. … be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:14, 17-18).

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang

 

Josie Siler writer Salem Web NetworkPassionate about helping people find joy for their journey, Josie Siler, a small-town Wisconsin girl, has big dreams. As an author and photographer, Josie shares God’s gifts of beauty, hope, and adventure with people who are overwhelmed by life’s circumstances, encouraging them to walk in the freedom and joy found in Jesus. Josie is the author of the award-winning picture book, Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw, published by End Game Press. She's also a chronic illness warrior who believes every day is a gift that should be celebrated. When she’s not writing or taking pictures, you’ll find Josie looking for adventure, curled up with a good book, or cuddling her teddy bear dog Ruby Mae (a.k.a. The Scruffy Princess). Connect with Josie at JosieSiler.com

Originally published Wednesday, 29 January 2025.

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