In his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul spoke of the failure of Israel to repent at the appearance of the Christ. Even so, under that New Covenant, God promised salvation to a remnant. Paul wrote, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5).
Later in the chapter, Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles. The salvation of the Gentiles was a primary concern of Paul. It was a component of his mission, given by the Lord at his conversion. The preacher Ananias was sent to Paul by the Lord, who told Ananias, “Go, for her is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
Paul’s message in Romans 11 used an allegory with which his readers were familiar. It was the picture of an olive tree with natural branches, and grafted branches. Consider his words, “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you” (Romans 11:16-18).
The main truth of this allegory is that God expanded the elect or chosen, from the Jew first (His people under the Old Covenant) to the Gentile (now included or “grafted” by faith in Jesus Christ).
This signified a change! National Israel failed to accept the Christ, though some believed in Him (example: 3,000 on the Day of Pentecost, as revealed in Acts 2). God chose to include the Gentiles (as revealed in Acts 10), and many came to Him, though as with the Jews some rejected the Christ (cf. Acts 17:32-34).
Paul’s other main point in this allegory was to show that while the Gentiles were now included, their continued position of privilege was dependent upon their faithfulness, as it had been with the Jews. “You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.’ Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either” (Romans 11:19-21).
Here is a lesson for us all! Please heed it. “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22).
