Lesson 4750

 (Lesson 4750) (02-05-25) Romans 11:13-21 

   “I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” 

 

   Today’s quote addressed the Gentiles, as Paul magnified his ministry in hopes of provoking some of his fellow Jews to believe in Jesus Christ and eternal salvation. He explained that if Israel’s rejection had brought reconciliation to the world, their acceptance would be even more glorious. Using the analogy of an olive tree, he stated that if the root was holy, so were the branches. Some branches (unbelieving Jews) had been broken off, and Gentiles were grafted in among them. However, he warned the Gentiles not to brag about their position, reminding them that they did not support the root, but the root supported them. If branches were broken off due to unbelief, and Gentiles stood by faith, they should not be arrogant but rather, they should fear God. Paul cautioned that if God did not spare the natural branches, He would not spare the Gentiles either, emphasizing the importance of humility and faith.”