Romans 11:25

οὐ θέλω ὑ. ἀγνοεῖν. Cf. Romans 1:13; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1 alibi, always with ἀδελφοί; a solemn emphasis of a fundamental truth.

τὸ μυστήριον τοῦτο. This secret of GOD’s providential government; cf. Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51. The word in S. Paul always has the sense of a secret of GOD’s purpose now revealed. In its fullest sense, it is the purpose of redemption in Christ, especially as including all mankind: so of the Incarnation (1 Timothy 3:16), of the crucifixion (1 Corinthians 2:1; 1 Corinthians 2:7), of the consummation (Ephesians 1:9), of the inclusion of the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:3-4; Colossians 1:26-27, infra Romans 16:25); here of the final reunion of Jew and Gentile in one Church (cf. Ephesians 2:11 f.). S. H.

ἐν ἑαυτοῖς φρόνιμοι. φρ. has special reference to plans devised for effecting their salvation: they must take GOD’s plan, not find one in their own imaginings; cf. Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 4:10. There is nothing quite parallel in the use of the verb; but cf. σοφός 1 Corinthians 1:19 f., and σοφίας Romans 11:33.

ὅτι πώρωσις κ.τ.λ. The briefest possible summary of the whole argument.

ἄχρι οὗ κ.τ.λ. Cf. Luke 21:24.

τὸ πλήρωμα. Cf. on Romans 11:12.

εἰσέλθῃ. Of entering into the kingdom; cf. Matthew 7:21; Matthew 7:13; Luke 13:24, S. H.; so also σωθήσεται.