16 If the first piece of dough is holy , the lump is also ; and if the root is holy , the branches are too . 17 But if some of the branches were broken off , and you, being a wild olive , were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree , 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches ; but if you are arrogant , remember that it is not you who supports the root , but the root supports you. 19 You will say then , "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." 20 Quite right , they were broken off for their unbelief , but you stand by your faith . Do not be conceited e , but fear ; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches , He will not spare you, either . 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God ; to those who fell , severity , but to you, God's kindness , if you continue in His kindness ; otherwise you also will be cut off . 23 And they also , if they do not continue in their unbelief , will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again . 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree , and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree , how much more will these who are the natural e branches be grafted into their own olive tree ?
25 For I do not want you, brethren , to be uninformed of this mystery -so e that you will not be wise in your own estimation -that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 11:16-25
Commentary on Romans 11:11-21
(Read Romans 11:11-21)
The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham's faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.
Commentary on Romans 11:22-32
(Read Romans 11:22-32)
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favoured for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God's time is come, that will no longer exist, and God's love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God's favour. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavour that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer's corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.