Romans 11:13-24

The Ingrafting of the Gentiles. From Romans 9:1 onwards, Paul has written as a Jew to Jews; here he turns to the other half of the Church (see Introd. § 3).

Romans 11:13. But to you Gentiles I say. Paul's labour in their evangelisation has an ulterior object; he would fain somehow stir to jealousy his own flesh and blood, etc. (cf. Romans 10:19; also 1 Corinthians 9:20). I glorify my ministry, make it renowned (cf. Romans 15:15, 1 Corinthians 15:10, etc.).

Romans 11:15 states more definitely the expectation raised in Romans 11:12: if their casting away meant a worldwide reconciliation to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:19), what will their reception be but life from the dead! cf. the climax of Romans 5:10.Reception (as in Romans 14:1; Romans 14:3; Romans 15:7, etc.). is the taking to one's home and heart.Life from the dead means nothing short of the final resurrection: Paul asks (he does not assert) whether Israel's salvation, completing the salvation of the world, will not conclude the mission of the Gospel and usher in the Lord's return, which ends the reign of death (Romans 5:21; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13); the spiritual resurrection is presupposed in reconciliation (cf. Romans 6:4). Sayings of Jesus like Matthew 23:39 prompted Paul's hope.

Romans 11:16. The holy beginning of Israel's history (Romans 11:4; Romans 9:4 f.) prognosticates the ending: the completed kneading will match the first-fruit of the dough (the handful taken for the ritual offering, Numbers 15:17); the branches belong to the root.

Romans 11:17 f. The metaphor just used suggests a warning to Gentile Christians, some of whom were repeating the Jewish mistake in imagining themselves God's favourites. Certain of the native branches have been broken out of the old tree; and thou, a wild-olive slip, wast grafted in, etc.You boast over this? remember, The root carries you, not you the root! You owe everything to the primitive people of God.

Romans 11:19 f. Faith secures you a standing in the good tree; unbelief caused their breaking off: they were not broken off for the purpose of grafting you in! Be humble, and fearful of a like fate.

Romans 11:21. God will not spare you either, if you relapse.

Romans 11:22. The Gentiles who now experience His kindness, may forfeit it; the Jews, now tasting God's severity, unless they persist in unbelief, will be re-engrafted. God is able to do this; and their restoration is more natural than your implantation. The nature intended is the common strain of tree and branches; cf. Romans 11:16. Paul was no expert in arboriculture; he states the moral probabilities of the case under the figure adopted, without too great concern about botanical accuracy. [See Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies, pp. 219- 250; also Deissmann, St. Paul, ch. ii., where it is shown that the world of the apostle was that of the olive tree. A. S. P. and A. J. G.]