ROMANS—NOTE ON Romans 11:16 Two illustrations teach the same truth. The firstfruits and the root probably refer to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and the saving promises given to them. If the firstfruits and root are dedicated to God, so too are the whole lump (of dough) and the branches (that is, the Jewish people as a whole). As Paul has already explained in chs. Romans 9:1, however, not every Jewish person will be saved.

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