Romans 11:11–24 (ESV)
Gentiles Grafted In
11
So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for
the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow
Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy,
so are the branches.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not
be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because
of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but
God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from
what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Although Paul’s
ministry is to the Gentiles, he still wants the Jews to be saved too. He warns the Gentile believers to never look down on nonbelievers. It is our hope that all unbelievers to be saved. That will not happen, but it is God that changes hearts.
He likens it to grafting a plant. You take an existing plant (a non-believer) and cut off the stalk and graft in another plant. The plant did not ask for this, but it was someone who did the cutting and grafting to the plant that “changed”
the plant. It is God that takes our sinful bodies and grafts His Word to us that we are “changed” and are now believers. We cannot do this on our own, it is God who does the grafting. God can restore to faith those who have fallen.
I pray: O Lord, be merciful to all those who have drifted away from You, especially family members and friends. Graft them in again by Your Word and grace. Amen.