Romans 11:11-24 – 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! 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? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 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. 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. 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. 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.
This week, we’re studying Romans 11:11-24 and, in Romans 11, the picture of our faith is like that of a tree that was planted with God’s promise to Abraham. This tree was rooted in the patriarchs, grew forth as the nation of Israel, and brought us the Scriptures and Jesus Christ. The analogy is that non-Jewish Gentiles were grafted into this giant towering tree of Jewish faith, and that the Gentiles quickly became a giant and fruitful branch.
In the early church, the majority of Christian believers were Jewish. By the end of the first century, things changed as the majority of Christian believers were Gentile.
This explains why books of the New Testament were written as the Gentile Christians had a lot of questions about such things as sexual morality (1-2 Corinthians) and circumcision (Galatians) among other issues. These were settled issues among Jewish believers, but the new Gentiles brought a lot of new questions.
What were some questions you had when you were “grafted in” to faith in Jesus? How can you help answer questions for friends who don’t yet know Jesus? Here’s a great resource to help answer questions about Christianity for you, friends, or family.
To find the free Romans 6-11 digital study guide for individuals and small groups, hear Pastor Mark’s entire sermon series on Romans, or find a free mountain of Bible teaching visit realfaith.com or download the Real Faith app.