Romans 11:11-24 Gentiles as ingrafted branches
This passage describes how Israelites hardened in their unbelief in Christ. It has created an opportunity for Gentile Christians to be ingrafted into God's figurative olive tree. The old branches of unbelieving Jews are cut off, and the new branches of Gentile believers have been grafted into the root. The salvation of Gentiles will provoke Israel to jealousy, and bring them to Christ.
1. Romans 11: 11-15 Blessings of the rejection and Acceptance of Jesus by Jews
St. Paul talks about the blessings of the rejection of the Jews. Their rejection of Christ and the Gospel had become an opportunity extended to the Gentiles. However, we can’t deny the truth that God has said to Abraham through you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Therefore, Paul says that if they could have accepted Jesus and proclaimed that messiah to all Gentiles, it could have been a great blessing to all. He mentioned that the transgression of Jews has brought riches to the world. Their loss became the riches of the Gentiles. But if they could have accepted Christ as the saviour, Messiah, and anointed, it could have been the richest blessing to the whole world. Hence, Paul regrets the activities of the Jews. Here, Paul expresses that he would like to have his clan accept Christ and become the inheritance of the Kingdom of God.
2. Romans 11:16-19 Characters of the Root and the Branches
Paul mentioned that the Root and Branches are Jews and Gentiles respectively. He wants both Jews and the Gentiles to live a holy and acceptable life. He brings the example of the dough to express the effect of the influence of the people. One positive person can affect all into positive energy and a negative person can influence negatively and spoil the entire flour, entire mass, and entire generation. The ingrafted branches need not boast about anything. Because they are not the main support but the root. The root of the tree supports the branches and not the other way around. Paul says that if the branches are cut off and the new branch is grafted in. It is absolutely the gift of God.
3. Romans 11:20-24 Consider the kindness of God
Paul warns the new and gentile believers to be careful about their position. God can cut off the branches which are not useful, which are dry, and which are arrogant. When Paul mentioned the gentiles as grafted branches, he doesn’t mean the secondary position. He clearly indicates that the treatment of God is equal to the grafted and original branches. Paul further exhorts the kindness and sternness of God. Paul gives hope to all those who believe in God. God would like to show his compassion and mercy to all those who come to him and believe in Him. Paul says that the gentiles are wild olive trees but Jews are cultivated olive trees. God can ingraft the wild into cultivated and also can cut it off. God’s love is always available to all those who readily come to Christ for their salvation.
Discussion:
How does the kindness and sternness of God affect the present generation?
Can Christians claim the place of Jews?
(For further studies on Romans by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan, please refer this cite)
