THE JEW AND GENTILE ANCESTRY

ROMANS 11:11–21

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry

(Romans 11:13).

Throughout this passage Paul speaks of two ethnic groups of people, Jews and Gentiles. At the outset, in verse 11, he writes, “Salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” It is impossible to spiritualize the meaning of the word Israel in this verse. It is the interaction of Jew and Gentile that is in view in Romans 11.

In verse 12, Paul points out that the sin of the Jews brought blessings to the world, because of God’s providential control of history. But if the fall of the Jews meant riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their conversion and restoration mean?

This leads him in verse 13 to reassure the Gentiles that they, too, are important. Paul makes sure they don’t think that he is ministering to them as second-class citizens. Paul says that he takes pride in his work, which means he takes pride in them. He rejoices in them. Having reassured them, Paul goes on to say that he hopes his ministry to them, as Gentiles, will also provoke his fellow Jews to jealousy, so that some of them may convert.

The Olive Tree Analogy

In verses 17 and following, Paul uses the analogy of the olive tree. He says that the Gentiles are like branches of a wild olive tree that have been grafted onto another tree. This means that the Gentiles are sharing “in the nourishing sap from the olive root” (v. 17). That root is Old Testament Israel, and Paul is saying that the Gentiles now have access to all the legacy of the Old Covenant history and traditions. Then Paul warns the Gentiles not to despise the branches that were broken off the old olive tree. It is true that the Old Testament legacy is now given to the Gentiles, but this in no way justifies any kind of anti-Jewish attitude. For a Gentile to despise Jews is to despise his own ancestors.

CORAM DEO

Some Christians speak as if the church were secondary in God’s plan, and that the Jews, even unconverted Jews, are more important to God than anything else. Other Christians go to the opposite extreme, and harbor anti-Jewish feelings. If you find you have either tendency, read Romans 11 prayerfully, and ask God to give you a more balanced outlook.

For further study: Hosea 14:1–9; John 15:1–4; Ephesians 2:11–22

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