The Lord Jesus used many metaphors through the Gospels, including some metaphors related to fishing and agriculture. The Apostle Paul continued this practice when he spoke of the Gentiles “grafted into the people of God.” The metaphor Paul used is an olive tree. Olive trees were an important economic commodity for first-century Israel. Olives were served as food and provided oil for illumination. Olives were also certainly a major source of trade income for the nation.
Where in Romans 11 Does Paul Talk about Gentiles Grafted In?
Romans 11:11-36 gives us the text we will consider for our look at the good news of Gentiles being grafted into the kingdom.
Let’s first look at the author, context, and theme of the book of Romans. The Apostle Paul identifies himself as the epistle’s author. Historians believe he was writing around 56 AD to the Christians in Rome. He wrote the letter from Corinth (as acknowledged by his mentions of Phoebe, Gaius, and Erastus, who were all inferred to be in Corinth), and he had yet to visit the church there. Much of Rome’s population were slaves, and Rome for Christians was like a storm at best with Nero as its ruler. Nero, who had his mother stabbed to death and his wife beheaded, did not look favorably upon Christians.
Paul’s purpose for the letter to the Roman Christians was to encourage them, express thanksgiving for their faith, tell them he hoped to see them soon, and instruct the believers about the grace of the Lord.
The main themes of Romans are the righteousness that comes from God and the salvation that comes by grace—through faith in Christ alone. Chapters 1-11 speak of theological doctrines, and chapters 12-16 address the practices that accompany their faith.
In the chapter immediately preceding our focus chapter, Paul spoke of Jesus’ atonement and how salvation is available to all. In Romans 10:12-13, Paul expands his case: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
A likely follow-up question would be, “How could this be?” Paul answers that question in chapter eleven.
What Is the Olive Tree in Romans 11?
In various Old Testament passages, the olive tree was used as a symbol of the value of the Promised Land (Canaan), which God would provide to the nation of Israel. (See Genesis 8:11; Deuteronomy 6:10-11; 2 Kings 18:32; Judges 9:8-9). Jeremiah shows us Israel was so associated with olive trees that he depicted the nation as such: “The LORD once called you ‘a green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit.’ But with the roar of a great tempest He will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed” (Jeremiah 11:16).
When Paul used the olive tree metaphor in Romans 11:16-24, we understand he is following a tradition of linking Israel with the olive tree. Therefore, the olive tree indicates Israel, and the “wild shoot” represents the Gentiles.
The olive tree’s “root,” though, is Jesus. Look at verse 17: “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree….” This is a cultivated olive tree, not a wild one.
Where Does the Word 'Gentile' Come From?
According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary (EBD), Gentile is a Hebrew word, “goyim,” usually used in a plural form. It refers to all nations except the Jews, and EBD adds as the Jews’ pride as a nation grew, so did their contempt for anyone who wasn’t a Jew. Therefore, the word Gentile became a term of derision.
Since God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34), He welcomes all people into the kingdom who by faith are saved by God’s grace and those who believe in and love the Lord Jesus Christ. A few notable Gentiles mentioned in the Bible include Rahab, the Amorite woman who helped the spies in Jericho (Joshua 2), Ruth, the Moabitess who married Boaz and is in the genealogy of Jesus (the book of Ruth), and Cornelius, a Roman centurion who is said to be if not the, then one of the first Gentile converts to Christ (Acts 10).
How Were Gentiles Grafted into the Olive Tree?
God’s act of grafting the Gentiles in is not a new thing. He planned this. “The new Israel would become the Lord’s servant, a light for the Gentiles, bringing healing to all nations” (Isa. 42:6, 10).
Isaiah 56:3-8 gives us further insight into God’s plans to encompass all peoples into His church, especially verses 3 and 7-8:
“Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will surely separate me from His people” (Isaiah 56:3).
“‘…these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.’ The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, ‘I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered’” (Isaiah 56:7-8).
We are told in this passage God will not separate a foreigner from His people (Gentiles were considered foreigners). God also says His house is for all people. And He then says He will gather others (Gentiles) to Him.
The preceding are some passages that promise what happened when Jesus came to draw all men to Himself (John 12:32).
We can then refer to what Paul said in Ephesians 2:19-22: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Paul clarified this amazing truth in Romans 11:24-25: “For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Paul explains the hardening of the Jews has occurred to allow the Gentiles to come into the kingdom.
A few other passages undergird this truth.
- In Acts, Luke writes, “For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth’” (Acts 13:47). He concludes his book with Paul saying, “Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen” (Acts 28:28).
- In Galatians, Paul explains, “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you’” (Galatians 3:8). Later, he says, “Yet Abram’s offspring also includes all who trust in Jesus, and so even Gentiles gain this reward” (Gal. 3:29).
- In his epistle to the church in Ephesus, Paul clarifies, “To be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6).
What’s Romans 11 Mean for Jews?
Salvation is available to the Jews, and we should address what Paul says in Romans 11:25-29, especially verse 26, where Paul says, “all Israel will be saved.” What he means is all believing Jews will be saved (How could anyone be saved who does not believe in Jesus Christ?). In verse 29, he says God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable because God promised salvation to the Jews. Paul wanted to clarify with the Gentiles God had not cut off the Jews from salvation just because they rejected Jesus as Lord. (cf. verse 25) However, God would cleanse Israel of all unbelieving Jews. That is why Paul quoted Isaiah 59:20, which says, “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,’ declares the LORD.”
An important passage that supports what Paul said in Romans 11 is his earlier comments in Romans 9:6-8: “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.” We, believers, are counted as children of the promise, and that includes Jewish believers.
What Does Romans 11 Mean for Non-Jews?
When we pause to ponder, there exists but two people groups in the world, Gentiles and Jews (Genesis 10:5; Genesis 17:1-8). Everyone who is not a Jew is a Gentile. That Paul wrote this epistle from Corinth, a hotbed of Hellenists, supports what he said in this passage. There he was, a Jew amid Gentiles.
He said to the Philippian church that he was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;” (Philippians 3:5, cf. Acts 22:3). If a person was to be jealous for the Gentiles to be part of the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16).
When we Gentiles repent and put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become part of His church. All believers, whether Jew or Gentile, are part of His church. As 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Knowing that, how can we not be thankful (Isaiah 12:4; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 1:12), joyful (Isaiah 56:7), and hopeful (Colossians 1:5, 23; Hebrews 6:19)? We have been given the Holy Spirit, and in Him, we will display and bear much fruit (Romans 7:4; Galatians 5:22-23).
Paul does admonish us Gentiles. He warns us not to be arrogant toward the unbelieving Jews who have been “broken off from the tree.” We are all supported by Jesus, the “root” that supports us. We can acknowledge what has occurred but must “stand fast through faith.” God did the breaking, so we are not to become proud. Instead, we are to fear the Lord because even though He did not spare the Jews, neither will He spare us unless we stand firm in the faith.
Hallelujah! What a Savior.
A Prayer for Believers
Father God, we thank You for Your never-ending mercy and grace. You have invited everyone, both Jew and Gentile, into Your kingdom. We love our Lord Jesus, and we thank Him for our salvation. You are holy, and You are good. We bless Your name by the power of Your Spirit. In the matchless name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Further Reading:
What Is a Gentile and Who Were They in the Bible?
Who Is a Gentile and What Does the Bible Say about Them?
Who Were Gentiles in the Bible?
Why Were Judaizers Such A Big Problem in the Early Church?
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