Romans 11:11-25

KJ

Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 

Rom 11:12  Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 

Rom 11:13  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 

Rom 11:14  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, an                      d might save some of them. 

Rom 11:15  For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 

Rom 11:16  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 

Rom 11:17  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 

Rom 11:18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 

Rom 11:19  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 

Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 

Rom 11:22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 

Rom 11:23  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 

Rom 11:24  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 

Main Points: Paul turns his attention to the Gentiles in a series of if/then/conclusory statements to warn against any arrogance against Israel. Paul’s main point is that Israel is the firstfruit of God’s plan. Their history is the root/foundation for the gospel.

 

5. Explain Paul’s question in verse 11. Then explain Paul’s answer in 11/12. After hammering on the Judaizing teachers for ten chapters, Paul wants to focus on the fact that not all is lost for Israel. He summarizes that if through their shortcomings salvation to the world was brought in (gospel), consider what their obedience (or fullness) brings. That term fullness denotes “completion.” He’s telling the Gentiles ….the church is not complete without Jewish inclusion!

6. How was Israel’s rejection the means for reconciliation of the world? What will Israel’s acceptance mean? (15) –In its broadest sense: Israel was authorized to be the mouthpiece for God, and bring the Messiah. Israel rejected and executed the messiah and the gospel (as a nation). Their dispossession of Jesus made Him a God available to anyone else who would seek Him. It is the polar opposite of the cultural view of Jehovah belonging to the Jews (which was not true). Let’s not confuse this as an accidental occurrence. God fully intended for the Gentiles to be part of this covenant.

7. Explain the message of the olive tree. What is the message to Israel? What is the message to the gentiles? The olive tree is God’s people (as built by God). Paul is telling Israel, some of you have been broken off (unbelieving branches). Some of you are faithful (root). Those who have been broken off (disobedient) can be grafted back in. More importantly, Paul focuses on the fact that what was happening is not a change to God. The tree foundation is still the same (God-made). The message to the Gentiles is two-fold: 1. Israel is the root/firstfruit of God. 2. Because of that, do not become arrogant over their disobedience. You should be looking to bring them to the gospel!

 

Additional:

If/Then Statements To Make A Point
VERSE	IF:	THEN:
12	Their trespass	Means riches for the world
	Their failure	Means riches for the Gentiles
	Conclusion	How much more will their inclusion mean
15	Their rejection	Means the reconciliation of the world
	Conclusion	What will their acceptance mean?
16	The firstfruits…are holy	So is the whole batch
	The root is holy	So are the branches
17	Some of the branches were broken off	You were grafted in (though wild)
18	Gentiles are arrogant towards Israel (broken off branches)	Remember Israel is still the root that supports you Gentiles
20	Conclusion	Do not become proud, but fear
21	God did not spare the natural branches	Neither will He spare you
23	They do not continue in their unbelief	They too will be grafted (back ) in
24	You being wild were grafted into something cultivated (by God)	How much more will the natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree

 

 

Note the use/interpretation of JEALOUS (ESV). This should not be confused with the visceral human condition of jealousy (which can be very harmful). Verse 11 is God simply stimulating them. Verse 14 is similar and might demote more emotion, but make no mistake; this is a Godly jealousy that seeks only good.

11) jealous G846 - αὐτός autos ow-tos' From the particle αὖ au (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self

14) jealous G3863 – παραζηλόω parazēloō par-ad-zay-lo'-o From G3844 and G2206; to stimulate alongside, that is, excite to rivalry