Romans 11:13-24

Romans 11:13-Jeremiah : . 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-Song of Solomon :). “ I glorify my ministry,” make it renowned ( cf. Romans 15:15-Ecclesiastes :, 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-Ezekiel :, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-Esther :); the spiritual resurrection is presupposed in “ reconciliation” ( cf. Romans 6:4-1 Kings :). 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-Ecclesiastes :); “ 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-Jeremiah : . 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.]