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The Ingrafting of the Gentiles
Paul explains that Israel’s stumbling is not the end of the story. In this passage he shows how Gentile believers should think about their place among God’s people, with humility, faith and hope.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
Romans 11:11–24 is a teaching section in which Paul speaks directly to Gentiles. He discusses Israel’s stumble, the blessing that has come to the Gentiles, and an olive tree picture that warns against pride while holding out hope for branches to be grafted in again.
Romans 11:11–24Main takeaway
Gentile believers are to stand by faith without boasting, remembering both God’s goodness and his severity, and recognising that God is able to graft in again those now in unbelief.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Stumbling did not mean the endPaul begins with a question: did they stumble so that they might finally fall? He answers, “May it never be!”
Explanation
Paul begins with a question: did they stumble so that they might finally fall? He answers, “May it never be!” Their fall has meant salvation coming to the Gentiles, and Paul says this can stir jealousy. He then adds that if their loss has brought riches, their fullness will mean even more. Paul’s point is hope, not final rejection.
02Paul’s ministry aims at salvationPaul says he is speaking to Gentiles and that he is an apostle to Gentiles. He honours this ministry, yet he also says he hopes it may provoke jealousy among “my flesh” and save some of them.
Explanation
Paul says he is speaking to Gentiles and that he is an apostle to Gentiles. He honours this ministry, yet he also says he hopes it may provoke jealousy among “my flesh” and save some of them. He then speaks of rejection bringing reconciliation and acceptance being “life from the dead”, showing the greatness of what acceptance would mean.
03The root and branches picturePaul uses two linked pictures. If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
Explanation
Paul uses two linked pictures. If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches. Then he describes some branches broken off, while a wild olive branch is grafted in among them. The Gentiles now share the root and richness of the olive tree. Their place is received, not self-made.
04A warning against boastingGentile believers must not boast over the branches. Paul reminds them that the root supports them, not the other way around.
Explanation
Gentile believers must not boast over the branches. Paul reminds them that the root supports them, not the other way around. If someone says branches were broken off so they could be grafted in, Paul replies that unbelief led to breaking off, while faith is how they stand. So they must not be conceited, but fear.
05Goodness, severity and hopePaul tells them to notice both the goodness and severity of God. Severity is toward those who fell, and goodness is toward those who continue in his goodness.
Explanation
Paul tells them to notice both the goodness and severity of God. Severity is toward those who fell, and goodness is toward those who continue in his goodness. Otherwise they too can be cut off. Yet the passage ends with hope: if others do not continue in unbelief, God is able to graft them in again, and even more naturally so.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Paul reject the idea that Israel stumbled in order to fall completely?
Look at how he connects their fall with salvation coming to the Gentiles and then speaks about their future fullness.
02What does the olive tree picture teach Gentile believers about themselves?
Notice who supports whom, and how Paul describes Gentiles as grafted in among existing branches.
03What two responses to God are placed side by side in this passage?
Trace the warning about unbelief and conceit alongside the call to continue in God’s goodness and the hope of being grafted in again.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 11:11–24
11I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
12Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
13For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry,
14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.
15For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?
16If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree,
18don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.
19You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.”
20True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;
21for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
22See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
23They also, if they don’t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?