Questions Concerning Romans 11

[Arcoe]

17 But 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 rich root of the olive tree,
18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;
21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

1. Why were the natural branches broken off?
2. Was it God's will to break them off?
3. Can the unnatural branches be broken off once grafted in?
4. Is it God's will to graft the natural branches BACK into the olive tree?

 

[Eddie L]

So what's your question?

 

[Arcoe]

So what's your question?

I think the questions are listed for anyone to read.

 

[Eddie L]

Sorry! I missed the questions at the bottom of the post.

 

[Eddie L]

1. Why were the natural branches broken off?

The causality chain looks something like this:

1. They were cut off because of unbelief (verse 20)
2. because they were hardened (verse 7)
3. so that in their rejection of Christ they would crucify Him, making the salvation of the elect (Jews and Gentiles) possible (verse 7 and 12)

2. Was it God's will to break them off?

Yes. It was a part of His plan for the salvation of the Gentiles

3. Can the unnatural branches be broken off once grafted in?

Hard to say from this passage, though the arrogance of the unnatural branches towards those that were previously cut off would be foolish. God could just as easily create unbelief in the Gentiles if He willed it to cut them off again. The point of that question is simply to remind us that we have no basis for arrogance against unbelieving Jews, since our basis for being grafted in is the work of God, not us.

4. Is it God's will to graft the natural branches BACK into the olive tree?

When the fullness of Gentiles have been grafted in, yes.

 

[bsd058]

I think Elderone would back me up in the view of the tree being grafted as representative of the corporate covenanted people of God, not people who are saved necessarily. Just people who are a part of the new covenant. The Israelites who were cut off are representative of God separating those Jews from from the corporate believers.

Like tares among the wheat, unbelieving/unrighteous Israel was cut off from believing/righteous Israel (though some were not all cut off, since the Judaizers remained for a short time), and therefore, now that Gentiles have been grafted into the covenant community of believers, they too can be cut off if they do not truly believe and repent. One day Jesus will come back and separate the tares from the wheat. He will cut off those unbelieving branches, and the true church will be visible.

 

[Elderone]

I think Elderone would back me up in the view of the tree being grafted as representative of the corporate covenanted people of God, not people who are saved necessarily. Just people who are a part of the new covenant. The Israelites who were cut off are representative of God separating those Jews from from the corporate believers.

Like tares among the wheat, unbelieving/unrighteous Israel was cut off from believing/righteous Israel (though some were not all cut off, since the Judaizers remained for a short time), and therefore, now that Gentiles have been grafted into the covenant community of believers, they too can be cut off if they do not truly believe and repent. One day Jesus will come back and separate the tares from the wheat. He will cut off those unbelieving branches, and the true church will be visible.

Agreed.

As to the question "Is it God's will to graft the natural branches back into the olive tree?" I don't believe so. They were cut off because of their unbelief, which if temporary wouldn't have required God's action as their faith would have flourished again as it was sustained by the Holy Spirit.