So to begin the study, we need to look at the central passage where Paul talks about “grafting.” It is found in Romans 11:11-24:
Gentiles Grafted In 11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass usalvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 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! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as vI am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and wthus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means xthe reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 yIf the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if zsome of the branches were broken off, and you, aalthough a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root3 of the olive tree, 18 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. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you bstand fast through faith. So cdo not become proud, but dfear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, eprovided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise fyou too will be cut off. 23 And geven they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 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.
Let’s break this down:
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass usalvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 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!
1. V.11- There is a difference between stumbling and falling. Paul makes the distinction that Israel stumbled- but they still have a purpose in God’s ultimate plan.
2. Through the stumbling of the Jews (Their refusal to follow God’s Plan), salvation can come to the Gentiles. Israel is not lost forever, though. They still figure in God’s plan of salvation.
3. Riches for the world: The gospel only went out to the Gentiles when it was refused by the Jews (Acts 13:46, 18:5-6, 28:25-28). Their refusal went out to the Gentiles, and it was the Gentiles who wanted to follow and accept it.
4. Full inclusion: This means that the Jews and Gentiles are all part of the same family of salvation.
15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 yIf the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, aalthough a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root3 of the olive tree, 18 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. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you bstand fast through faith. So cdo not become proud, but dfear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
1. V. 15-16 Rejection: God’s ultimate purpose isn’t for the rejection (fall) of the Jews, but for the ultimate acceptance of all people under God. Paul tells us here that the first fruits ( the original, holy Jewish people) were considered holy, then the root (foundation) is also good. Paul is telling us that the Jewish people are foundational holy, but along the way they were corrupted. It doesn’t mean they are to lose their salvation.
2. V.17: The Gentiles can be grafted into the “Tree of God”. Paul illustrates this in the metaphor of branches. The olive tree has two sets of branches: natural branches and wild branches. The natural branches represents The Jews and the wild branches represent the Gentiles. The root is Israel. But it is all the same tree. This “Grafting” is only by God’s grace.
3. V.18: It is not our job to disregard the Jewish people as fallen, disingenuous, or simply wrong. It is our job to remember that we all come from the same place, the root, by God’s grace. The root supports you.
4. V.19: If it wasn’t for Israel’s disobedience, the Gentiles would never have had salvation offered, so the Gentiles opportunity was completely dependent on Israel’s rejection of God.
5. V. 20-21: We stand by faith; Israel stood by the Law. To become proud of our way neglects those who came before us, who paved the way. God didn’t forget the Jews. He will not forget the Gentiles either.
22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, eprovided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise fyou too will be cut off. 23 And geven they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 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.
5. V. 22: The conditional clause is “provided you continue in his kindness.” This is important. It speaks to perseverance. It speaks to effort. It speaks to a willingness and desire to follow. If we don’t, as the verse continues, we will be cut off. Sometimes we wonder about this part and say, “why does it matter? I accepted Christ when I was 12 so I’m good.” We must remember that the real work of our faith begins after we accept. God gives us gifts and we are obligated to use them for his Kingdom (Luke 19:11-27).
6. V 23: If they do not continue in unbelief, the Jews can be grafted in once more, just as the Gentiles had been. This is possible only by God’s grace. This can be a stumbling block for some Christians, because we can get into the mindset that the jews are history and their account doesn’t matter in the Christian perspective. This can lead to what is called Replacement Theology.
REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY (SUPPRESIONISM)
This ideology teaches that the Church (Christianity) has replaced Israel in God’s plan. They believe:
1. The Jews are no longer God’s chosen people • The promises for Israel in the bible are replaced by Christianity • Prophecies are spiritual allegories that represent blessings for the church 2. God does not have future plans for Israel
SUMMARY
God calls Israel to be His chosen people They are to be a separate people, holy to the Lord They were to be God’s light to the world (Gentiles) Genesis 18:17-19, Isaiah 42,49 The Israelites chased foreign Gods and betrayed their calling Hosea 11 So God sent his son to invite Israel to repent Matthew 3:2, 4:17 But Jesus is rejected by the Jews Isaiah 52-53 Gentiles become the spiritual seed of Abraham Galatians 3-4
GRAFTING
The tree thus signifies the collective people of God; the “wild branches” grafted in are Gentile believers; the “natural branches” that are cut off are the Jews in unbelief. Jewish believers remain in the tree but are joined with Gentiles and “made” into a “new body,” the Church Ephesian 2:11-22
So, the grafting of Israel and the Gentiles is a biblical principal that unites instead of divides. As far as some things being only for Jews or Gentiles, this is true in some ways. For instance, when talking about the various festivals, we can say they alone were requirements for the Jews. We don’t practice them today, and aren’t obligated to, for those festivals were specifically designed for Israel. But, when we look at the larger picture, we can see that the festivals were meant to commemorate what God had done for them and their reminder to be thankful for what He had done (specifically, rescuing them from Egypt). How can this be applicable for us? We have an obligation to do those very things: remember and be thankful. Anything in the bible is applicable to our lives. Paul puts it best in 1 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness