11:12a
11:12a is very similar in meaning to 11:12b. After translating them, see the General Comment on 11:12a–b below.
But: Here the word But introduces another thing that Paul wanted to say. For example:
And (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Now (English Standard Version)
-or-
The sin… (Good News Translation)
if their trespass means riches for the world: Here the word if introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, that supports the second part (God fully including the Jews will mean much more (11:12c)) to also be true.
In some languages, using an if -clause would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:
if ⌊you agree that⌋ their trespass means riches for the world
-or-
their trespass means riches for the world, so
See how you translated this kind of if in 3:5 or 11:6.
trespass: This word refers to doing something wrong or bad against God. See how you translated this word in 11:11c.
means: There is no verb in the Greek here. Usually, “be/is” is implied. Here “their trespass” leads to “riches for the world.” So some English versions add a verb like means. Here are other words that can be added here:
brought (Good News Translation)
-or-
caused
riches for: Here the word riches refers to an abundance of blessings related to salvation. It does not refer to earthly money or treasure. Here are other ways to translate this word:
a great gain to (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
an abundance for
-or-
great blessings to
-or-
greatly helps
See how you translated this word in 2:4 or 9:23.
world: Here this word refers to all people in the world, not the ground itself. Some languages must refer to the people rather than just the earth. For example:
the collective-people on this earth
-or-
all mankind
11:12b
failure: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as failure :
(1) It means failure here, as in the Berean Standard Bible. The word here refers to a lack of success in doing something.
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word)
(2) It means loss here, as in the New International Version. The word here refers to losing something or failing to keep it.
(New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(3) It means defeat here. Israel was defeated in the sense that in their spiritual battle to get right with God, they did not attain that goal because they rejected Jesus as the Messiah. For example:
defeat (New Revised Standard Version)
(New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible)
(4) It means a decrease in number here. For example:
diminished number (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
(King James Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because:
(a) The Greek lexicons do not support interpretation (4).
(b) Some scholars support interpretation (3), but it is hard to understand how the meaning of “defeat” applies here unless the idea of spiritual battle is introduced into this verse.
(c) The meaning of “loss” is supported in the Greek lexicons but a more active sense of failure is preferable here.
Paul did not say what the Jews failed at. It is implied that they failed to accept Jesus as their Messiah/Savior. In some languages a literal translation would have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
Paul implied/meant that the Jews failed to accept Jesus as their Messiah/Savior.
• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
failed ⌊regarding Jesus⌋
-or-
failed ⌊to believe in Jesus⌋
riches: This word has the same meaning as in 11:12a.
Gentiles: Here this word refers to all people-groups except the Jews.
General Comment on 11:12a–b
11:12a is very similar in meaning to 11:12b. It is a Hebrew poetic form. The second line helps explain the first line. The two lines together strengthen the meaning. In some languages saying something again with similar words has a different meaning/function. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning in one line. For example:
Now if their sin and failure means riches for the Gentiles of this world
-or-
Now if their sin of failing ⌊to accept Jesus⌋ ⌊as the Messiah/Christ/Savior⌋ means abundant blessings for the world, that is, the Gentiles
11:12c
how much greater riches will their fullness bring: The phrase how much greater indicates that if the failure of the Jews produced a good result in the world, their inclusion will mean an even better result. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
So the inclusion of Jewish people will make the world even richer. (God’s Word)
-or-
So surely the world will receive much richer blessings… (New Century Version)
how: Here this word strengthens the phrase “much more.” It does not make this clause a question here. See the above examples.
fullness: The basic meaning of the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fullness is “a full measure of something.” Here are the four main ways to interpret the Greek word:
(1) The fullness refers to being completely included in God’s kingdom of faith in Jesus. For example:
full inclusion (English Standard Version)
(Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011), English Standard Version, God’s Word)
(2) The fullness refers to the number of Jews who will believe in Jesus as many as could be. For example:
complete number (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition)
(3) Translate in a way that allows these various interpretations. For example:
fullness (New International Version (1984))
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (1984), King James Version)
(4) The full-ness refers to restoring the Jews to their previous position, fully accepted. For example:
full restoration (NET Bible)
(New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible)
The Greek word can mean both interpretations (1) and (2). But many languages do not have a word that would cover both. So it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). But some languages have a word that can imply both interpretations (1) and (2). In that case you may want to follow interpretation (3). The lexicons and scholars do not support interpretation (4).
bring: The Berean Standard Bible adds this word for natural English, just as it adds the word “means” in 11:12a–b. Use the same word or meaning here as there.
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