Establishing the rather controversial but contextual reality
that when Paul speaks of branches and grafting, he is in fact talking about
that which is produced by or established in the promises God has made to the
Patriarchs or more concisely The Abrahamic Covenant. He was clear about that in his earler letter
to the Galatian churches: “Now the promises were made to
Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring
to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.”
(Galatians 3:16, ESV);
and again “And if you are
Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
(Galatians 3:29, ESV).
But this comes with a warning to us Gentiles in Romans 11:18 (ESV), "Do not be arrogant toward the
branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root
that supports you." "Jewish
Christians, by virtue of their ethnic origin, are “natural branches.” They
belong to the olive tree, which represents the true people of God, by birth.
But God has grafted “wild olive branches” into the tree: he has called
Gentiles, who had no stake in Israel by birth, to become part of his people."[1]
We are not
sure of the source of the Gentile arrogance.
It could be somewhat of a game of "one-up-man-ship"! It could be a pride in suggesting, "Look
how bright we are. We heard and
believed." Paul warns against such
arrogance. "Because their salvation is entirely by grace, they have no
cause for boasting or despising Jewish believers. Such Gentile arrogance in
relation to Jews would simply mirror the same spiritual pride that has led to
the Jews’ hardening (2:17)."[2]
The salvation of anyone is through the electing mercies of God, by grace
through faith. Verse 20 and 21 expounds
on that warning:
“That is
true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast
through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the
natural branches, neither will he spare you.” (Romans 11:20–21, ESV)
Paul is reaching into one of his favorite doctrinal
truths. This is a truth that causes no
small contention and misunderstanding in Christendom. In short Paul is alluding
to the Doctrine of Perseverance of the saints.
Notice in these verses the call to "stand fast through
faith". Note Colossians 1:21–23 (ESV):
"21 And you, who once were alienated
and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in
his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and
above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith,
stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard,
which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul,
became a minister."
No Christian, Jew or Gentile, can enjoy assurance of
salvation apart from "continuing".
Indeed we notice Paul's call to the Roman Christians to live in fear.
Likewise he wrote to the Philippians:
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have
always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” (Philippians 2:12, ESV).
The warnings of Scripture are intended to
motivate not paralyze. It should not
shock even those who are convinced (as I am) of the truths regarding the
security of the believer, that God, in mercy, would supply warnings to us to
walk in faith, by faith. Ultimately and assuredly
the mercy is this: “for it
is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
(Philippians 2:13,
ESV). Therefore Paul could write with confidence: “For if God did not spare the natural
branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of
God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided
you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” (Romans 11:21–22, ESV). "His severity has been the portion of Jews who have not believed, but his
kindness has been poured out on the Gentiles. Still, they must persevere in
faith. Otherwise, they too will be judged as unbelievers." [3]
Now here is the first (may I add) sign of real hope for
Jews. Paul adds: “And even they, if they do not continue in their
unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.”
(Romans 11:23, ESV). There is no indication that this is a
"national" anticipation. It is
simply clear (Paul being a prime example) that "although some Israelites had stumbled,
they had not fallen past the point of redemption. God will accept them back as
part of His people if they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior."[4]
[Emphasis mine] “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.” (Romans
11:24, ESV). Every illustration
has it's value and it's weakness. Paul's
unique point is a reminder of this. More
specifically we note "that
his illustration of the olive tree does not follow the pattern of grafting
ordinarily found in the ancient Mediterranean world but is in fact the reverse
of it."[5]
Dr. Moo's
conclusion is excellent: "But the illustration does serve to make one
point very clear: ultimately there is only one people of God. Gentile believers
and Jewish believers belong to the same tree. One root—God’s promises to the
patriarchs—nourishes them all. God’s kindness in election is the basis for his
grafting all branches into the tree. And one condition—faith—keeps Jews and
Gentiles alike in the tree."[6]
We hold
that in our minds as we move into the final relational descriptions of Paul in
verses 25-32.
_____________________________________________
Previous Blogs on this topic:
1
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Romans 11:1-6
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2
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Romans 11:7-10
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3
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Romans 11:11
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4
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Romans 11:12
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5
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Romans 11:13-15
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6
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Romans 11:16-18
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7
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Faith Keeps Jews and Gentiles Alike in the Tree
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Romans 11:19-24
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[1] Moo, D. J. (2002). Encountering the book of Romans : a theological
survey (p. 170). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
[2] Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., &
Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study
Bible: bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James
Version (Ro 11:18). Nashville: T. Nelson.
[3] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2177). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[4] Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D.,
& Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife
Study Bible (Ro 11:23). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[5] Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis
CD-ROM:Romans/Exposition of Romans/VI. The Problem of Israel: God's
Righteousness Vindicated (9:1-11:36)/F. Israel's Temporary Rejection and the
Salvation of Gentiles (11:11-24), Book Version: 4.0.2
[6] Moo, D. J. (2002). Encountering
the book of Romans : a theological survey (p. 170). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Academic.
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