Romans 11:19-24 (WEL) You will reply then, “The branches were broken off, so I could be grafted in.” 20 Well, they were broken off because of unbelief, and you continue by faith. Don’t be arrogant but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, [take heed] lest he does not spare you either. 22 Consider, therefore, the kindness and severity of God. On those who fell—severity but towards you—kindness, if you continue in [his] kindness; otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 They 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 off from the natural, wild olive tree and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these which are the natural [branches] be grafted into their own olive tree?
V19 You will reply then, “The branches were broken off, so I could be grafted in.”
A reasonable statement, but it is totally wrong. The branches were not removed to replace Israel, but the branches were removed because they did not believe (Hebrews 4:2-6 and Hebrews 11:6).
Comments:
Tyndale Open Study Notes: “You are just a branch, not the root: By the time Paul wrote to the church in Rome, it was composed mainly of Gentiles, a common situation in the early Christian communities. This dominant role led many Gentile Christians to brag about their status, while treating Jews and their religious heritage with disdain. Paul reminds the Gentile believers that they enjoy God’s blessings only because they have been included in the one people of God, who are rooted in God’s promises to Israel.”
Constable: “It is true that one of the reasons Gentiles have become partakers of the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant is that many of the Jews have not believed. Of course, it was always God’s purpose to bless Gentiles (Gen 12:1-3). However, the Gentile believer who may feel superior to the unbelieving Jew needs to remember something: The only reason he is where he is (partaking of blessing from the Abrahamic Covenant) is because he has simply believed God (“you stand by your faith”). He is not there because he has done some meritorious work that would be a ground for boasting (cf. 5:2), therefore the warning: “Do not be conceited, but fear.”
V20 Well, they were broken off because of unbelief, and you continue by faith. Don’t be arrogant but fear.
Note the condition God requires for His acceptance is faith. No faith, then no salvation. Faith, then salvation. Believing God’s message especially about His Son, Jesus, is of utmost importance.
No one should be arrogant because unbelieving Jews were broken off and believing Gentiles grafted in.
Fear is the character trait recognizing God’s authority as the King. There is the fear of displeasing the King as well as fear of rebuke from Him.
V21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, [take heed] lest He does not spare you either.
God is able to remove as well as graft in. A warning intended to rebuke any arrogance a Gentile might have against the Jews.
V22 Consider, therefore, the kindness and severity of God. On those who fell—severity but towards you—kindness, if you continue in [his] kindness; otherwise, you also will be cut off.
The Greek word for “kindness” is χρηστότης chrēstótēs (G5544). It means goodness in many senses. It is a moral quality and character trait. It is a character trait of God and required of believers. See Titus 3:4 and Colossians 3:12. The Greek word for “severity” is ἀποτομία apotomía (G663). It means something rough, like a rock edge or attitude. The adverb form is used in 2 Corinthians 13:10 and Titus 1:13. God shows kindness in initiating salvation and wooing us to Christ, but if we spurn His kindness, then there is severity. See 2 Peter 3:9, Galatians 1:4, and Matthew 24:51. Adam Clarke writes: As χρηστοτης, goodness, signifies the essential quality of the Divine nature, the fountain of all good to men and angels, so αποτομια, severity, as it is here translated, signifies that particular exercise of his goodness and holiness which leads him to sever from his mystical body whatsoever would injure, corrupt, or destroy it.
V23 They also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
This addresses verses 5-7 regarding those who do not believe. Here, it clearly states that ethnic Jews can believe, if they want to believe, and if they believe, they will be grafted in.
V24 For if you were cut off from the natural, wild olive tree and were grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these which are the natural [branches] be grafted into their own olive tree?
It is easier to graft a native branch in than a wild olive tree branch. Faith is the condition required by God to be included in the cultivated olive tree (Ephesians 1:13, John 5:24, and John 20:21).
We learn:
- God has not rejected ethnic Israel.
- God requires faith, not our works.
Questions:
- Are you still humble?
- Do you think you are better than Israel?