Page 10 - December 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Read Romans 11:17-25a stated why “some of the branches be bro-
In our last article we were looking at ken off,” he does indicate that God hasn’t
the metaphors that Paul used to describe totally rejected the nation. Those branches
that remain represent the remnant that
Israel’s relationship with Abraham. We
saw that Abraham was represented by Paul wrote of in verses 1, 2 and 5. But Paul
“the firstfruit” and “the root” (v16). On goes on, “and thou, being a wild olive tree,
the other hand, Israel was represented wert graffed in among them, and with
by “the lump” and “the branches.” We them partakest of the root and fatness of
saw that “the firstfruit” and “the root” the olive tree …” (v17). Paul is here refer-
were described as “holy.” Hence, “the ring to the Gentiles, as a class of people
lump” and “the branches” are described distinct from Israel. He is not referring
as “holy” also, since they share the same to believers distinctly. In the metaphor,
nature as “the firstfruit” and “the root.” these branches have been grafted into
Abraham was described as holy because the olive tree, as a result of which they
he believed God, and as a result was jus- share, along with the remnant branches,
tified (Gen 15:6). Hence, Paul described the benefits provided by the olive tree. In
Israel as being holy, because Abraham other words, since Israel, nationally, has
was the father of the nation. That is, Israel rejected Christ, the gospel has now been
was brought into a special relationship of offered to the Gentiles.
favour with God because of Abraham’s Paul continues by stating that this is
faith. We are about to see that this doesn’t not ground for Gentiles to boast as those
mean that they were all saved. who are in God’s favour, for “thou bear-
Paul now leaves the illustration of “the est not the root, but the root thee” (v18).
firstfruit” and “the lump” and develops Lest they still thought that this gave them
his teaching relative to “the root” and “the grounds for boasting (v19), Paul states,
branches” in verses 17-24. He proceeds by “Because of unbelief they were broken
saying, “If some of the branches be broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not
off …” (v17). Although he has not yet highminded, but fear: for if God spared
1
not the natural branches, take heed lest
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the he also spare not thee” (vv20-21). If God
KJV. cut off Israel, nationally, while still saving

362 TRUTH kTidings December 2025