Nathan C (12 Dec 2021)
"Romans 11 study , who is the good olive tree/root, the wild olive tree and natural branches ? Who is being in grafted in ?"

 

Romans 11 study , who is the good olive tree/root, the wild olive tree and natural branches ? Who is being in grafted in ? 


Let’s go over the verse 


Before I begin I just want you to keep in mind that in this passage paul is NOT addressing the Body of Christ (BOC) until verse 25, we know this because within the BOC God sees neither Joo nor gentile but one new man in Christ (Galatians 3:28). Paul is addressing ALL Gentiles as a whole and telling them that through the fall of Israel the offer of salvation has now been brought to you and the reasonings behind this. 


Most of the time when reading this chapter the confusion lies in failure to recognise who is the olive tree, the natural branches who have been cut off and those wild olive tree branches who are grafted in, I will further clarify who these all are in this study. 


There are three entities in this analogy.


Let’s begin 


Romans 11:16


For if the firstfruit (Jesus Christ) be holy, the lump (whole tree) is also holy: and if the root (Jesus Christ) be holy, so are the branches.


The First fruit and the root are synomous in this verse, both of them are referring to Jesus Christ, It’s telling us that because the root of the tree is holy this makes the ENTIRE tree holy, therefore any branches that are attached to this tree are also made holy.


1 Corinthians 15:20


But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the FIRST FRUITS of those who are asleep.


Let’s move on


Romans 11:17


And if some of the branches (Israel) be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree (lost Gentiles), wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root (Jesus) and fatness (spiritual blessings) of the olive tree (Jesus).


The tree CANNOT be the nation of Israel for they have been cut off from the lord, it represents Jesus. Israel are the natural branches because they originally had access to God first, Since this has happened to Israel God has now graffed Gentiles into the tree to partake in the blessings of Jesus Christ which is the root. 


Romans 11:18-20 


18 Boast not against the branches (Israel). But if thou (Gentiles) boast, thou o bearest not the root,but the root thee (Jesus).


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


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



The verses are telling Gentiles as a whole to not be conceited, arrogant and boast against i s r a e l that you now have access to God for it is not of because your somehow better than the them, but by the grace of God because Israel were unfaithful. 


Romans 11:21-24


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


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


23 And they also (Israel), if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in (Grafted into the root which is none other than Jesus Christ) :for God is able to graff them in again.  


24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree (Gentiles) which is wild by nature (Gentiles had no access to God originally), and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive (Jesus Christ) tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches (Israel), be graffed into their own olive tree?


He is stating that God did not spare Israel, his very own chosen people when they went into unbelief therefore the Gentiles will experience the very same fate if they go into unbelief. This occurs at the rapture of the church all those once this event happens the offer of salvation towards Gentiles shall end and the door will be closed, they will be cut off once again, just like he did to the Israel. 


Most people read this as a warning to the body of Christ however we can see clearly that it’s not. The body of Christ cannot lose salvation either, so we know from this fact alone it’s not addressing us, if it was it would contradict other verses within scripture.


Moving on


Romans 11:25-28 


25 For I would not, brethren (BOC), that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  (Again this event occurs at the rapture when God is done saving Gentiles and the body of is full/complete)


26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 


27 For this is my covenant unto them (Israel), when I shall take away their sins. 


28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as t touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.


Once the rapture of the church has occurred God will turn his attention back to Israel and he will turn is attention back to unbelieving Israel once again. The nation will be purged as they go through the 7 year tribulation and out of it they will recognise their messiah, it is then God will deliver them, forgive them of their sins and dwell with them once more.


So to summarise


The root/whole olive tree is - Jesus Christ.

The natural branches - Israel  

The wild olive tree that is graffed in - Gentiles. 


Law keepers and those who practise replacement theology will always use this chapter to justify their false doctrine, they will tell you the tree is Israel and we are grafted into that nation, therefore we should keep their practises and put ourselves back under the law of Moses. 


From this study we have just seen that this is not the case and never will be, stay away from those people. 


Anyway God bless and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.