May 19 – Called to Mutual Acceptance

Sunday School Lesson

May 19

Lesson 12 (KJV)

Called to Mutual Acceptance

 

Devotional Reading: Romans 10:5–13

Background Scripture: Romans 11

 

Romans 11:11–24

11. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

 

12. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

 

13. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

 

14. If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

 

15. 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?

 

16. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

 

17. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

 

18. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

 

19. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

 

20. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

 

21. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

 

22. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

 

24. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

 

Key Verse

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.—Romans 11:18

 

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Describe the components of Paul’s analogy of the olive trees.

 

2. Explain the inclusive nature of God’s grace.

 

3. Repent of self-congratulatory pride.

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Andronicus	An-dro-nye–kus.
Antioch	An-tee-ock.
Barnabas	Bar-nuh-bus.
Corinthians	Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Ephesians	Ee-fee-zhunz.
Galatians	Guh-lay-shunz.
Gamaliel	Guh-may-lih-ul or Guh-may-lee-al.
Gentiles	Jen-tiles.
Jotham	Jo-thum.
Junia	Joo-ni-uh.
Leviticus	Leh-vit-ih-kus.
Matthias	Muh-thigh-us (th as in thin).
synagogue	sin-uh-gog.

Introduction

1. “It’s Complicated”

A Bible-knowledge quiz might ask this seemingly straightforward question: “How many apostles were there?” Many would quickly respond “12.” That familiar answer is based on Gospel texts such as Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14; and Luke 6:13.

A better answer is “it’s complicated.” After Matthias replaces Judas (Acts 1:25, 26), Barnabas and Paul are called apostles (14:14). Paul himself then may have designated Andronicus and Junia as apostles, depending on how the sentence structure of Romans 16:7 is understood. Then there are the cases of the Lord’s brother James (Galatians 1:19), Silas (Acts 17:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:6), and even Jesus himself (Hebrews 3:1)! Were we to take the time to sort through the issues of the designation apostle, we may find the answer “it’s complicated” to be less and less flippant and more and more appealing as we go along!

We don’t have to dig very far, however, before we reach the ironclad conclusion that Paul was an apostle under any definition of that word excepting that he was not of the original 12. His commission and authority to that office came directly from Jesus himself (Acts 9:1–6, 15; Galatians 1:1).

His approach to the problem addressed in today’s text is similar. At one level, it’s a complicated issue. Complications fall away and conclusions become ironclad as Paul uses an analogy from everyday life to focus on the main issue that then serves as a touchstone for all “but what about …” complications.

1. Lesson Context: Paul, Jews, and Gentiles

The observations in the Lesson Contexts of the previous two lessons still apply, so that information need not be repeated here. But as Paul’s letter to the church in Rome crosses into chapter 9, a new issue occupies his thoughts: the problem of Israel.

Fewer than 1 percent of Christians today come from a background of Judaism. But that was not the case in Paul’s day. Initially, the majority of Christian believers were of that background. The church in Rome had a mix of Jews and Gentiles. There were apparently significant numbers of both, with evidence suggesting that those of Gentile background were in the majority (compare Romans 1:5, 6, 13; 11:13; 15:11).

This put Paul in a unique position to address the church in Rome, a congregation he had never visited. His educational background was that of a learned Jewish rabbi. He had earned this distinction from having studied under Gamaliel, one of the best Jewish teachers of the day (Acts 22:3; compare 5:34). This gave Paul great credibility with any informed Jew.

Yet Paul had devoted much of his efforts to evangelizing Gentiles (Romans 15:15, 16; Galatians 2:8, 9; Ephesians 3:8). He even defended their legitimacy as believers before the gathering of “apostles and elders” known as the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1–4). These actions resulted in Paul’s having great standing among believers of Gentile background.

Both groups in the church in Rome would therefore listen to Paul. And it was important that they did so as he continued to address the issue of relationship between Christians of different backgrounds.

In Romans 9:1, Paul began to work through a heartbreaking reality: great numbers of his own Jewish people had rejected the Jewish Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. Paul’s missionary travels had resulted in not just disinterest, but ferocious rejection (see Acts 14:19; 17:5; 18:6). Why?

Paul turned to Scripture to find the explanation. From Romans 9:1 to 11:10 he quotes from (what we call) the Old Testament 25 times. Given that there are only 64 verses in this section, that’s about one Old Testament quote every two and a half verses! Those texts reveal, among other things, Israel’s long history as a “disobedient and gainsaying people” (Romans 10:21; quoting Isaiah 65:2).

Romans 11:7–10 summarizes 9:1–11:6 by concluding that the proclamation of the gospel has resulted in two camps among the people of Israel: those who accept the gospel are “the election,” while those who do not are “the rest … blinded.” The significance of all this is the subject of today’s study.

1. Lesson Context: Olive Trees

Today’s lesson text features an analogy involving olive trees. In the Mediterranean world of Paul’s day, olive trees were found all over: from Jerusalem to Antioch to Corinth to Rome. The produce of these trees had several uses. Olives themselves were food. Olive oil had value for cooking and as fuel for lamps. It had ceremonial and medicinal value.

The value of olive trees is attested in Jotham’s parable where—in an obvious ranking of most valuable to least—an olive tree, a fig tree, a vine, and a bramble are asked in turn to reign over the trees. The olive tree’s answer is, “Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?” (Judges 9:9). Olive tending was serious and profitable business.

1. Result of Stumble

(Romans 11:11–15)

1. Provoking to Jealousy (vv. 11, 12)

11a. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall?

 

The phrase I say then introduces implications of Romans 11:7–10 regarding Israel’s division (see the Lesson Context, above). In so doing, Paul acknowledges that the widespread unbelief of his fellow Jews is indeed a stumble. But he does not see this trespass as unrecoverable. When we combine the words stumbled and fall with the “spirit of slumber” ascribed to Jewish unbelievers in Romans 11:8, we have a picture something like that of a person sleepwalking. He is oblivious to hazards in such a state. A family member screams a warning of a hazard the sleepwalker does not see. The sleepwalker, not yet fully awake, pays no heed and trips. He is on his way to the ground, with no hope of regaining his balance in time. Right?

 

11b. God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

 

God forbid, says Paul. Recovery is possible because of two connected results of Jewish unbelief. First, as the Jews have rejected the great salvation message of the gospel, it has impelled Paul to offer this message unto the Gentiles (see Acts 13:46; 18:6; 28:28). Paul has found many Gentiles gladly receptive of the gospel (13:48).

Contrasting the use of the word fall here with that word in the first half of the verse is important. The Greek noun behind the second instance of fall is elsewhere translated “offence(s),” “sin(s),” and “trespass(es),” and those inform the sense here (examples: Romans 5:15–17). To be sure, Israel’s lack of faith is sinful. But repentance and forgiveness are still possible, as Paul goes on to establish.

Second, the Gentiles’ receptivity to the gospel can serve as an incentive for Jews to believe as well. When we see someone receive a benefit, our impulse is to want that benefit too! Jewish unbelievers, seeing Gentile lives radically changed by Christ, will want this change and joy in their own lives (compare Deuteronomy 32:21, quoted in Romans 10:19).

 

What Do You Think? What boundaries or limits should we observe regarding techniques used to win people to Christ?   Digging Deeper Evaluate the phrase “the end justifies the means” in relation to this question.

12. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

 

Paul often characterizes the benefits of Christian faith as riches (compare Romans 2:4; Ephesians 1:7; 3:8). The gospel’s gracious offer of salvation through faith represents the greatest spiritual treasure in the universe! But most Jews are leaving this offer on the table. Their diminishing is accompanied by the “unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) being offered to the Gentiles.

Since that’s the as-is case, then would it not be better still were Jews to accept the offer as well? Paul’s vision is grand here. Imagine if all Gentiles and Jews accept the salvation made possible through Christ! This would include every single person on earth. We gain a glimpse of what motivated Paul with such extraordinary passion as to suffer as he did for the sake of the gospel.

1. Pushing for Emulation (vv. 13–15)

13, 14. For 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.

Paul addresses the Gentiles in his readership with a direct appeal: he intends to do everything in his power to provoke to emulation them which are [his] flesh for the sole purpose of saving some of them. His technique will be to use his office as the apostle of the Gentiles in any way possible to win as many Gentiles to Christ as possible. By implication, the Gentiles’ part is to live in such a way that Jewish unbelievers will want to have what they have.

 

What Do You Think? Under what circumstances, if any, should Paul’s ministry to Gentiles be a precedent for sending missionaries to other cultures rather than training evangelists from within those cultures? Why?   Digging Deeper How do Acts 13:46; 18:6; Galatians 2:7–9; and Philippians 3:5 inform your viewpoint, if at all?

15. 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?

 

By casting away of them Paul refers to the Jewish refusal to believe in Christ. As he has already shown, the Jewish unbelievers are culpable for this, but it also fits into God’s plan for the reconciling of the world, the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God (see Romans 5:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19). What a great marvel would it be if, as a result, Jews come to faith! It would seem miraculous, like life from the dead.

1. Outcome of Brokenness

(Romans 11:16–21)

1. Partaking of Fatness (vv. 16–18)
2. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

 

Paul now reasons with two examples tied to Jewish history. First, breadmaking is considered. The lumpin his illustration is the final dough ball that is ready to be baked. This process begins with grinding grain to make flour. Moses had commanded the people of Israel to take the firstfruit, a portion of this flour and make a loaf that was to be offered to the Lord (Numbers 15:17–21; compare Nehemiah 10:37; Ezekiel 44:30). Paul considers this act of offering to be making the firstfruit loaf holy, and, by extension, this holiness can be applied to the whole batch of flour and its resultant bread loaves.

The second illustration has to do with a tree, its root and its branches. Branches are dependent upon the health of a tree’s root system. If the root dies, so will the branches. Branches detached from the main tree and its root will die (compare John 15:4–6). Paul has in mind here a family tree, the tree of the nation of Israel. In a sense, Israel is continually blessed and made holy by the covenant God made with its great patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Exodus 2:24; Leviticus 26:42). If the essential root of the tree (the patriarchs) is considered holy, this holiness extends to any branches attached to the tree.

 

What Do You Think? Considering Christianity’s roots in Judaism, how should this text influence our view of the value of the Old Testament?   Digging Deeper Consider also Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Colossians 2:14

17, 18. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed 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.

 

Paul expands this analogy of a holy tree and its branches to imagine some of the branches being broken off. This may be from pruning or wind damage, but branches removed from a tree are usually unhealthy or unproductive. Such branches are fit only to be firewood (John 15:6). If an olive farmer cuts off some unproductive branches, it could be for the purpose of grafting on new, healthy branches from a wild olive tree. This description fits the Gentiles well, for they have been growing wild, apart from the supervision and care of God given to Israel for hundreds of years.

These new, grafted branches will be productive only if they tap the root and fatness of the olive tree. The new branches must receive water and the nourishment of the soil from their new host. They have been given a huge upgrade from their scrubby wild tree origins. They flourish because of the new tree, not the other way around. Paul’s word to the Gentile believers is to remember that their inclusion in the church allows them to be recipients of the great blessings the Lord has lavished on Israel for centuries. They, with faithful Jews, are now fellow heirs of God’s promises (Ephesians 3:6). There is no justification for boasting about status (compare John 4:22).

 

What Do You Think? What needs to happen for you to be considered a root for the generation of Christians to come?   Digging Deeper How will you create and maintain accountability for your progress?

1. Grafting by Faith (vv. 19–21)

19, 20. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.

 

Paul continues to warn his Gentile readers to consider God’s purpose in all of this. The word Wellindicates that those who make the argument the branches were broken off, that I might be graffed inare correct up to point. What they miss is the reason those Jews were broken off: it was because of unbelief. This is not a cause for being highminded (proud), as if the Jews have been humiliated by God so Gentiles can feel superior. Instead, this is a cause for fear, realizing how dire their situation was and how gracious God has been to them.

Grafting Today

In 2001, I moved to Fallbrook, California, the self-proclaimed “Avocado Capitol of the World.” Avocado groves cover the hillsides surrounding the quaint village. However, as the population has grown, many of the groves have been subdivided for housing. The good news for avocado lovers is that the developers left an avocado tree or two on many of the building lots. I was pleased to buy one such. But I was disappointed with both the quantity and quality of the fruit.

Research revealed the tree was not the Hass variety, the fruit of which most consumers prefer. So I hired a specialist to graft six Hass shoots onto my tree. The grafts thrived, and I had an abundance of excellent avocados the next season.

This experience caused me to reflect anew on how people come to Christ and His church. Gentiles turned to Christ in such great numbers that within a few decades—and to the very present day—Christians of non-Jewish background far outnumber Christians of Jewish background. What does this suggest about whom God might choose to graft into the church today?

—C. R. B.

21. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

 

Arrogance that displeases God can result in more pruning! What has been grafted in (the Gentiles) can just as easily be removed.

III. Possibility of Restoration

(Romans 11:22–24)

1. Continuing in Goodness (vv. 22, 23)
2. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

 

Paul reflects that this situation reveals a paradox: God is good and severe at the same time. While the analogy of the olive tree is still in view here, this is more akin to presenting God as a parent. Parents know there is a time to show great love and kindness to a child, but also a time when discipline is necessary. Severe discipline does not negate the love of a good parent. To receive the kindness, the child must be obedient. Continuing in God’s goodness is a matter of continuing in the faith. As with the unbelieving Jews, unfaithfulness risks being cut off for the ingrafted Gentiles.

Rebellion And Restoration

I work with a ministry that provides a setting in which at-risk, rebellious youth may be rescued from damaging lifestyles. The vast majority of these young people have struggled with alcohol and drugs. Nearly half have been abused. Almost all are unable to graduate from high school with their age cohort.

These youth encounter Christ in this ministry through biblical teaching, counseling, mentoring, physical work, and schooling adapted to individual needs. Distractions such as cell phones and social media are removed—action considered “severe” by some students. The youth see God’s goodness in the unconditional Christian love they receive and in the life-structure this love provides. Eventually, the majority come to see God beginning to work in their lives.

Regardless of age, most of us tend to resist God’s discipline, thinking it to be too severe. But there’s a big difference between restorative discipline that is temporary and retributive punishment, which is eternal. Will you accept the former so you can avoid the latter?

—C. R. B.

What Do You Think? What steps can you take to help your fellow believers better understand both God’s kindness and severity?   Digging Deeper What will happen in cases where one is stressed to the exclusion of the other.

23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

 

Unbelieving Jews have been cut off, a display of God’s harshness. But they can be grafted back in, included anew, if they change unbelief to belief. God’s kindness is ready and waiting for them. There is still time and hope.

1. Regrafting onto God’s Tree (v. 24)
2. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

 

For Paul, there is an unnatural sense to bringing the Gentile believers into the people of God, perhaps like mixing metric and standard tools. It works, but doesn’t always seem to fit right. The churches of Paul’s day struggle with things like food forbidden to Jews being served at church functions (Galatians 2:11, 12). Basic understandings of things such as one God, personal holiness, and respect for Scripture are assumed by Jews but are foreign to Gentiles. Their religion and behavior is wild by nature in contrast.

Paul’s vision is not just Gentile inclusion, but a return of fellow Jews. The tree would then thrive as never before. What a magnificent tree it would be! What a glorious church we would see!

Conclusion

1. Grace Is Always Prior to Salvation

Romans is consistent in always presenting faith, not works, as the way to be justified in God’s reckoning. Paul insists this is nothing new. In the history of Israel, the Jewish remnant is saved, as always, by grace not works (Romans 11:5, 6). Grace is always prior to salvation, and salvation cannot be earned. Salvation begins with God’s response of grace to our situation and our response of faith in return.

Paul maintains a certain pecking order in all of this: God’s salvation through faith comes first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). The punishment of God for unbelief also comes first to Jews, then to Gentiles (2:9). This is validated by history, by God’s choice of Israel to be His holy nation and vehicle for bringing salvation to the world. Jews first, then Gentiles—both in terms of privilege as well as accountability.

But as true as that is, isn’t it just hypothetical today? Here in the year 2019, the details of relations between Jews and Gentiles in the church have faded. But foundational lessons still stand. One is that it’s easy to become prideful, to focus on self rather than God and His plan. As Paul opposed that, so must we.

 

1. Prayer

Father, help us stay grafted in! May our faith replace pride as we trust in You for all things. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

 

1. Thought to Remember

God is still able.

 

 

KID’S CORNER

God Works Out Sins for Good

Romans 11:11-24

Sunday, May 19, 2019

 

Romans 11:11-24

(Romans 11:11) I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

 

Paul had previously stated that not all physical Israelites were spiritual Israelites, and many had stumbled over the stumbling stone (see Romans 9). In chapter 10, Paul stated that salvation was only by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works of the law; furthermore, believers were responsible for preaching the good news of Jesus and hearers were responsible for believing in the good news of Jesus. Paul’s teachings in Romans chapters 8 and 9 did not remove the human responsibility to preach the gospel and to respond to the gospel in faith, to respond to God’s grace and offer of salvation as the rest of the Bible teaches. In chapter 11, Paul stated that the rejection of Jesus the Messiah by some in spiritual Israel was only temporary, as in his own case. Because of the spiritual Israelites temporary transgressions, salvation came to the Gentiles so the Israelites would become envious, which might result in some reconsidering their rejection of Jesus the Messiah and then turning to saving faith in Him as Paul did.

 

(Romans 11:12)  Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

 

Transgression and sin is the willful violation of God’s law and especially the rejection of God’s offer of salvation through faith in Jesus the Messiah. When the Jews rejected Paul’s preaching, he went to the Gentiles, and many Gentiles received the riches that flow from saving faith in Jesus Christ. Someday, those in spiritual Israel will receive Jesus Christ and because of their former rejection of Jesus as their Messiah, their riches that flow from faith in Him will be even more precious to them: “much greater riches.”

 

(Romans 11:13)  But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

 

In writing to both Jews and Gentiles who were Christians in Rome, Paul now wanted the Gentile Christians to pay special attention to what he wrote. Because of the Jews rejection of Paul and the gospel, he turned to the Gentiles and was approved as the apostle to the Gentiles; whereas, Peter was known as the apostle to the Jews. Paul did not consider himself demoted to a lesser place, but happily and proudly embraced his honorable call to serve the Gentiles and lead many to faith in Christ

 

(Romans 11:14)  if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.

 

Paul wrote of a possible consequence for the Israelites who became jealous and envious after many Gentiles accepted Jesus as the Messiah. As Paul knew well from his own experience as a persecutor of Christians, jealousy can lead to anger and anger to persecution. However, Paul came to saving faith in Jesus, and he began to preach about Jesus to Jews and Gentiles. With prayer and preaching, he hoped that he might somehow save some of the Jews who had rejected Jesus as he once had done.

 

(Romans 11:15)  For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

 

By the grace of God, Paul led many Gentiles to justifying faith in Jesus Christ. When God declared these Gentiles right before Him by grace through faith, they came into a right relationship with God (reconciliation). “The world” in this verse means Jews and Gentiles all around the world, people of every race and nationality: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Belief in Jesus leads to receiving the gift of eternal life (see also Romans 10:8-13). Someday spiritual Israel will receive Jesus and eternal life, and it will be “life from the dead,” because the wages of sin is death and Jesus will free them from slavery to sin and spiritual death.

 

(Romans 11:16)  If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

 

Paul now turned to illustrations from food offerings and agriculture. As an offering of firstfruits, if you took a part of the dough from a bowl of dough and offered it to the Lord, it meant you thought the whole of the dough in the bowl was clean and holy. The part taken out is similar to the whole; the part is as clean as the whole.

What flows from and through the root of a tree (the sap) flows through every living branch in the tree. If the root is holy and healthy (not diseased), so is the sap that flows from it, and so are the live branches that receive the sap for nourishment. The sap in the tree’s roots in some sense may represent the Word and Spirit of God, and the olive tree represents spiritual Israel. The roots may be seen as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who lived by faith, and the sap flowed through them to all of their spiritual descendants. The olive tree, spiritual Israel, included all those who became Christians under Paul’s preaching and the preaching of others up to that period of time. The first Israelite Christians in Paul’s day were like firstfruits, and they represented what the whole of spiritual Israel would eventually become when unbelieving Jews finally came to believe in Jesus too. Eventually, all of spiritual Israel will come to saving faith in Jesus the Messiah, and even today those who are a part of spiritual Israel do come to know Jesus the Messiah as their Lord and Savior.

 

(Romans 11:17)  But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,

 

No human illustration will answer all of our questions; but as such, illustrations can further our understanding. Illustrations can sometimes raise more questions — questions with answers beyond human ability to completely understand or learn from God or the Bible or an illustration. Many illustrations are made to simply illustrate one point, not to answer secondary questions. The olive tree and root represent spiritual Israel. Jews who persist in unbelief can be broken off and not receive the life-giving nourishment that comes from faith in Jesus. By grace through faith, some Gentiles have been grafted into spiritual Israel by God; they did not graft themselves in by themselves so as to boast. Just as some in spiritual Israel had come to trust in Jesus as the Messiah, so some Gentile Christians had come to believe in Jesus too. That meant both Jewish and Gentile Christians would receive life-giving nourishment from God.

 

(Romans 11:18)  do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.

 

Since God saves Jews and Gentiles by grace through faith and not by their good works or perfect obedience to the law of God, there is no room for Jews or Gentiles to feel superior to one another. Paul wrote this part of his letter to the Gentile Christians who could be tempted to think they were better than the Israelites who had rejected Jesus (perhaps temporarily) and the Israelites who had rejected them as inferior to Jews (perhaps temporarily). After all, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the faithfulness of a remnant for centuries in spiritual Israel supported Christian Gentiles with the Scriptures and true faith that had been handed down for generations to them.

 

(Romans 11:19)  You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”

 

Human nature is such that we can be tempted to think that there is something in us (our past achievements or future promise of achievements) that make us better than others. Since believers are saved by grace through faith, there is no reason for any believer to think of themselves as better than unbelievers and boast about it or feel superior: that attitude of superiority will not lead unbelievers to believe what we believe about Jesus.

 

(Romans 11:20)  Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;

 

Believers need to remember that they were not grafted into the Christian faith because they were better than someone who is not a Christian. They were grafted in by grace through faith, and they have the responsibility to stand in faith as long as they live. Earlier in his letter Paul wrote, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). And Peter wrote, “With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it” (1 Peter 5:12). In our spiritual battles, sometimes all we can do is “stand,” Paul wrote, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Ephesians 6:11-14). In troubled times, sometimes all we can do is stand, as God has commanded us. Because of their unbelief, those who have heard the good news of Jesus and have rejected Him as the Messiah are not Christians. There is no reason for a Christian to be arrogant or proud; rather, a Christian should stand amazed and in awe that God has saved them by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. They should tremble lest they stumble as to fall and are broken off of spiritual Israel as a branch from a tree,

 

(Romans 11:21)  for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.

 

One of the ways God preserves in saving faith those who are spiritual Israel is by helping them persevere in saving faith when tempted by the world, the flesh, and the devil to fall completely away from saving faith in Jesus Christ. God preserves believers in Jesus, and believers in Jesus persevere in believing in Jesus when they diligently heed and prayerfully apply the warnings of the Scriptures to their lives. Even if they call themselves Christians, God warns that He will not spare the disobedient and unfaithful: true Christians will come under the corrective discipline of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be very careful that our human theological inventions do not hinder the ability of the Bible and the Holy Spirit to help Christians persevere in their faithful obedience to Jesus Christ through the Bible’s warnings to believers. By the truth of the Bible and the guidance and power of the enabling Holy Spirit, Jesus preserves believers in a right relationship with God, and true believers in Jesus Christ want to persevere in their faith to the end, even during the darkest days of trials and temptations.

 

(Romans 11:22)  Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.

 

Paul emphasized human and Christian responsibility and the fact that our choices have consequences. Believers should consider the kindness and the sternness of the Lord and behave accordingly; they can continue in God’s kindness or turn (fall away) from God and act unkindly toward others and suffer the consequences. Unhappily, believers can turn from faithfully following the Lord Jesus Christ and come under His sternness and discipline and not know why they are suffering. Not all suffering, but some suffering, is a consequence of being cut off from the life-giving nourishment of God’s Holy Spirit and the true understanding of God’s Word as God disciplines His disobedient child in an effort to correct them. Paul did not say that true believers in Jesus Christ could not be grafted back into the tree again if God finds it necessary to cut them off. Paul writes carefully so God’s warnings in the Bible will have God’s intended effects.

 

(Romans 11:23)  And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

 

One might ask how a person who is predestined, called, justified, and glorified can persist in unbelief. Paul did not answer that question, because he was led by the Holy Spirit to emphasize that Christians are saved by grace and for no other reasons known to them (though God always reasons and acts with love). Whole theological systems have been invented by people trying to provide answers to questions the Bible does not definitively reveal to our human understanding (at least not to my human understanding). To preserve us and help us persevere in faith, God encourages believers with the fact that if they do not persist in unbelief, then God is able to bring them back into a saving relationship with Him. See the parable of the Prodigal Son, as well as the parables of the Lost Coin and the Lost Sheep, in Luke 15.

 

(Romans 11:24)  For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

 

Olive trees are slow-growing and live to an old age. Nature does not graft olive trees, people do. Humans graft olive trees, usually by taking a young budding stem and placing it into an older and established olive tree. With grafting, olives of a desirable quality will be more quickly produced from the branch that has been grafted into the tree. In Paul’s illustration, the Gentiles did not have the cultivation of spiritual Israel with their many gifts from God (see Romans 9:4-5), especially the promises and teachings about the coming Messiah and the law of love. By God grafting Gentile believers (Christians) into spiritual Israel, these Gentile believers would become cultivated (civilized in the Kingdom of God) through the Scriptures and their growing faith in Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit helped them understand and use God’s gifts to them. As a Jew, Paul readily and eagerly became a Christian because he knew the Scriptures as a Pharisee, and when he met Jesus he saw how Jesus had fulfilled the Scriptures. Paul knew that because of their spiritual cultivation (see Romans 9:4-5) that others in spiritual Israel could and would readily become Christians too with God’s timing and in God’s way: see Romans 10:9 — “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” After Christian Gentiles were grafted into spiritual Israel, the early church flourished and produced much good fruit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

 

God Works Out Sins for Good

Romans 11:11-24

Sunday, May 19, 2019

 

 “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious” (Romans 11:11).

God can work out anyone’s sins for good. In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28). Many Christians know from their own experiences when God worked good out of evil for them. Paul gave an example of how God worked good out of the sins of those who rejected Jesus. After many of his people rejected his preaching, Paul turned to the Gentiles; many of them listened, turned from their sins, trusted in Jesus, and received salvation. When some of those who had rejected Jesus as their Savior became envious of the Gentiles, they reconsidered the evidence, came to believe in Jesus, and were reconciled to God and the Gentiles. God took the sins of some and repurposed those sins with their evil 2 consequences so others could hear the good news and come to faith in Jesus. Some who have sinfully and violently rejected Jesus and God’s people have had their lives worked out for good, because God had a purpose, God repurposed them: Paul is a good example. Many Christians have found better church homes because they loved God in spite of the sins committed against them. God worked out unimaginable sins against them for their good and the good of others as God gave them new opportunities. In addition, after they have become Christians, some have become aware of forgotten transgressions; and where they could not make amends or ask forgiveness, they have prayed for God to bless those they have harmed.

 

Thinking Further

God Works Out Sins for Good

Romans 11:11-24

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Name ____________________________

 

1. When Paul “failed” in his outreach to the Jews, what did he do and how did he feel about it?

 

 

 

2. What did Paul mean by “the world” and the reconciliation of “the world?”

 

 

 

3. When he used an olive tree as an illustration, how did Paul describe the Jews who rejected Jesus and what could happen to them?

 

 

 

4. How did Paul use an olive tree to describe Gentiles who believed in Jesus?

 

 

 

5. What warning did Paul give the Gentile Christians?

 

 

Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further

 

1. When Paul “failed” in his outreach to the Jews, what did he do and how did he feel about it? Paul preached to the Gentiles and led many to faith in Jesus the Messiah. He felt sorry for those who rejected Jesus and knew that some could still repent and turn to true faith in Jesus later. He felt proud of his ministry to the Gentiles, and hoped he still might save some of the Jews.

 

2. What did Paul mean by “the world” and the reconciliation of “the world?” “The world” is people of every race and nationality. Through faith in Jesus Christ, people in the world, not only the Jews, could come into a right relationship with God (be reconciled).

 

3. When he used an olive tree as an illustration, how did Paul describe the Jews who rejected Jesus and what could happen to them? Paul described them as branches that had been broken off of the olive tree because of their unbelief. If they did not persist in their unbelief, they could be grafted in again

 

4. How did Paul use an olive tree to describe Gentiles who believed in Jesus? They were wild branches that had been grafted in so they could share the nourishing sap of the olive root.

 

5. What warning did Paul give the Gentile Christians? Do not become arrogant or feel superior to the Jews “the other branches.” Instead, Gentile Christians are to tremble, fear, stand in awe (compare translations of Romans 11:20). Since God did not spare the natural branches but punished them, He can punish the branches that He grafted in; God can cut them off from the nourishing sap. Therefore, Gentile Christians need to be kind toward the Jews and remain in God’s kindness or suffer the consequences.

 

 

True or False Test

God Works Out Sins for Good

Romans 11:11-24

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Name ______________________________

 

Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.

 

1. Paul rejoiced that so many Jews were coming to faith in Jesus the

Messiah that he had time to reach out to Gentiles too. True or False

 

2. Not everyone who rejects the gospel of Jesus Christ stumbles beyond recovery. Paul was a good example of this truth. True or False

 

3. It is a transgression to reject the good news of Jesus Christ. True or False

 

4. Some in Israel were envious when they learned that salvation had come to the Gentiles. True or False

 

5. Paul warned the Gentile Christians against feeling superior to Jews. True or False

 

6. Paul wrote that God changed wild olive trees into natural olive trees by His undeserved grace and unlimited power. True or False

 

7. Paul wrote that once a branch is broken off the olive tree it can never be reattached. True or False

 

8. Because of their unbelief, branches were broken off of the natural olive tree, which represented Israel. True or False

 

9. Paul wrote that all unbelievers would persist in unbelief and never repent of their transgression. True or False

 

10. Paul wrote that those who are saved need not worry about whether or not they continued in the kindness of God. True or False

 

Answers to the True and False Test

1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True
9. False

10.False

 

Prayer

Father, help us stay grafted in! May our faith replace pride as we trust in You for all things. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.