Romans: My Place in God’s Story

Romans 11:11-24

Paul begins his letter to the Romans with this personal statement:  

Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Paul follows this up with why we need the gospel (Rom. 1:18-3:20); how we receive it (Rom. 3:21-5:21); how we grow in it (Rom. 6-8); how the sovereign God oversees it all (Rom. 9-11); and finally, how we live out the gospel (Rom. 12-16). 

Let’s revisit Paul’s statement about what the gospel is. Notice that he says the gospel is “the power of God for salvation” and is available to “everyone who believes,” then adds, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” In today’s passage, Paul reminds the Romans that the Jews had rejected Jesus; now God’s focus is on the Gentiles. As a result, the Jews are witnessing God's power at work in other nations. 

Romans 11:11-12
So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!  

In Romans 9, Paul quotes an Old Testament passage that describes Jesus as a “stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense” (Rom. 9:33 from Isa. 8:14). In Romans 11:11, he notes that the Jews did stumble over Jesus. They could not accept that their Messiah would die on a cross. Paul emphasizes this point to the Corinthians by stating that a crucified Messiah was “a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles” (1 Cor. 1:23). 

The Jews stumbled; however, they did not fall. God still has a plan for his chosen people. After their national rejection of him, God opened his family to the Gentiles “so as to make Israel jealous.” Now, whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, God will continue his work of salvation for those he foreknew, chose, called, justified, and glorified (Rom. 8:29-30).  

Before shifting his focus to the Gentiles, Paul presents a thought-provoking point concerning the Jews—if the stumbling of the Jews allowed the Gentiles to receive eternal riches, how much greater will the blessing be when God’s chosen people return to him through the work of Jesus?

Romans 11:13-15
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 

As Paul shared the message of Jesus, his main focus was on the Gentiles because the Jews had rejected Jesus (Acts 13:46; 18:6). He was known as the “apostle to the Gentiles.” Paul took pride in his mission to lead Gentiles to saving faith. He also understood that the Jews would return to Christ once they saw the transformative power of Jesus in others' lives. Since the Jews’ rejection became a blessing for the world, the return of God’s chosen people would also be a great blessing.  

To further show that Israel’s stumbling was temporary rather than lasting, Paul uses two examples to illustrate this. 

Romans 11:16a
If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump…

Paul’s first illustration is based on God’s instruction for Israel to take from the first of their dough and “present a loaf as a contribution” (Num. 15:20). If the first loaf was holy—set apart for God—then the entire lump of dough would be considered holy. 

Paul’s second illustration involves a tree. He says, “if the root is holy, so are the branches” (Rom. 11:12b). 

In both examples, the principle is the same: “what is considered first contributes its character to what is related to it.”[1] The tree roots determine the type of tree that will grow. The first piece of dough determines what the entire lump will become. Since “it is set apart to the Lord first, it sanctifies the whole harvest.”[2] Paul argues that the early Jewish believers still influenced the nation. The first piece of dough and the root symbolize the first believing Israelites, particularly the patriarchs.[3]

Now Paul continues with the tree analogy as he addresses the Gentiles. 

Romans 11:17-21
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, 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. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 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. 

Paul continues to encourage the Gentiles to practice humility. The branches that are broken off in these verses represent unbelieving Israel. The “wild olive shoot...grafted in” symbolizes believing Gentiles. The Gentiles should remember that the ancient believing Jews formed the holy root supporting the rest of the tree. Jesus said, “Salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22).

Because of their unbelief, the Jews were cut off, and the Gentiles were grafted in. This should not lead to pride, but to humility. They should not “be arrogant toward the branches.” This is expressed with a Greek construction indicating that something is already occurring. There must have been issues between Jews and Gentiles within the Roman churches. 

Paul challenges the Gentiles to “note then the kindness and 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” (Rom. 11:22). Bible scholar Robert Utley reminds us that God’s ways always seem paradoxical to fallen humanity. There are consequences to our choices. God’s election does not negate humanity’s responsibility. The election of national Israel did not guarantee each individual’s salvation.”[4]

If the Jews repent and believe, they will be included. If the Gentiles turn away, they will be rejected (Rom. 11:23-24). Paul is not talking here about losing your salvation; he is talking about perseverance. The true believer will demonstrate both initial and continual faith. 

There’s a lot to unpack in the passages we have been studying. I encourage you to use the Weekend Recharge for review and reflection. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 11:11-24.  Thank God for “grafting” you into his family.

Talking to God: Do you see yourself as part of God’s bigger story—or are you just focused on your own story?

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