Romans 11:11-24
The Holy Olive Root, the Israelites, and the Gentiles

Today, 04/03/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in Romans 11:11-24.

11 I say, then, Did not they stumble that they fall? Let it not be! But by their slipping away came salvation to the nations, to provoke them to jealousy.

12 But if their slipping away is the riches of the world, and their default the riches of the nations, how much more their fullness?

13 For I speak to you, the nations, since I am an apostle of the nations, (I glorify my ministry),

14 if somehow I may provoke to jealousy my flesh, and may save some of them.

15 For if their casting away is the reconciliation of the world, what is the reception, except life from the dead?

16 Now if the firstfruit is holy, so also the lump. And if the root is holy, so also the branches.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree were grafted in among them, and became a sharer of the root and the fatness of the olive tree,

18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, it is not you that bears the root, but the root bears you.

19 You will say then, The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.

20 Well! For unbelief they were broken off. And you stand by faith. Do not be highminded, but fear.

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, fear that it may be He will not spare you either.

22 Behold, then, the kindness and severity of God: On those having fallen, severity. But on you, kindness, if you continue in the kindness. Otherwise, you will also be cut off.

23 And those also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.

24 For if you were cut out of the natural wild olive tree, and against nature were grafted into a good olive tree, how much more these being according to nature will be grafted into their own olive tree?

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. What does verse 16 mean?

2. What does verse 17 mean?

3. What or who does the good olive tree symbolize?

2. What is the concept of salvation and the role of faith in the lives of God’s people in verses 19-21?

3. How serious is the warning in verse 20?

4. What does this section of the Bible help us understand about the relationship between the people of Israel and other nations in the Church of God?

Suggested Applications:

1. Do you have humility and gratitude towards God when you understand that you have been “grafted in” to the good olive tree by the grace of God?

2. What attitude should you have towards the people of Israel?