Paul again asks a question himself. If Israel has stumbled over the rock of offense, “did they stumble in order that they might fall?” (Romans 11:11). This is a very serious question. If Israel has rejected their Messiah, was their stumbling simply intended to end in their destruction? Again, Paul answers emphatically, “By no means!”
Paul makes a very important point. Through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, even provoking Israel to jealousy. But Paul does not stop with the salvation of the Gentiles. He asks, “if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” (Romans 11:12).
In Romans 9, Paul reminded us of the rich history God had given Israel: the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the Law, the worship, the promises, and the patriarchs, and from their race came the Christ (Romans 9:4–5). Now Paul looks forward to their acceptance of the Messiah in whom that history finds its culmination.
Paul continues his argument with the illustration of an olive tree. Some of its natural branches have been broken off, and branches from a wild olive tree have been grafted in. But Paul gives this illustration because there is a temptation for arrogance among the Gentiles. He warns them, “do not be arrogant toward the branches” (Romans 11:18).
Why should they not be arrogant? Paul does not tell them that the natural branches sustain them. Instead he says, “Remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you” (Romans 11:18).
The natural branches were broken off because of unbelief. The wild branches stand through faith. Neither has anything in themselves about which they can boast.
Paul then gives the warning plainly: “So do not become proud, but fear” (Romans 11:20). If God did not spare the natural branches because of their unbelief, the branches that have been grafted in have no reason to believe that their standing gives them grounds for arrogance.
But neither should we conclude that the branches which were broken off are beyond God’s salvation. Paul tells us that “if they do not continue in their unbelief, [they] will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again” (Romans 11:23).
God is the one who chooses. He is the one who grafts in, and He is the one who sustains His people. There is no room here for one people to boast over another. Being the recipient of God’s grace does not make us superior to those who have not received it.
We did not plant the tree. We did not create the root. We did not graft ourselves in. And we do not sustain ourselves now that we are there.
“So do not become proud, but fear.”
-steve