Romans 11:17

KJV

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} if some {G1536} of the branches {G2798} be broken off {G1575}, and {G1161} thou {G4771}, being {G5607} a wild olive tree {G65}, wert graffed in {G1461} among {G1722} them {G846}, and {G2532} with {G4791} them {G1096} partakest {G4791} of the root {G4491} and {G2532} fatness {G4096} of the olive tree {G1636};

Complete Jewish Bible

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you — a wild olive — were grafted in among them and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree,

Berean Standard Bible

Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root,

American Standard Version

But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 11:17 is a pivotal verse within Paul's extended olive tree metaphor, illustrating God's sovereign inclusion of Gentile believers into the spiritual heritage of Israel. It portrays Gentiles, naturally like wild olive branches, being miraculously grafted into the cultivated olive tree, thereby sharing in the life-giving root and nourishing richness that rightfully belongs to God's covenant people. This act underscores divine grace, the continuity of God's redemptive plan, and the profound unity established between believing Jews and Gentiles in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 11:17 is situated within Paul's profound theological discourse in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9 "Romans 9-11 - Israel's Place in God's Plan"), where he addresses the perplexing question of Israel's partial hardening and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite their widespread rejection of the Messiah. Following his assertion that God has not completely rejected Israel ([Romans 11:1-2](/romans/11-1-2 "Romans 11:1-2 - God Has Not Rejected Israel")), Paul introduces the olive tree analogy in [Romans 11:16](/romans/11-16 "Romans 11:16 - The Holy Root and Branches"). This verse specifically describes the Gentile's inclusion, serving as a crucial bridge between the explanation of Israel's stumble and the subsequent warning to Gentiles against arrogance and boasting over the "natural branches" in [Romans 11:18-21](/romans/11-18-21 "Romans 11:18-21 - Warning Against Arrogance"). The metaphor continues to unfold, revealing God's ultimate plan for the salvation of all Israel ([Romans 11:25-26](/romans/11-25-26 "Romans 11:25-26 - The Fullness of the Gentiles and All Israel Saved")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of grafting was well-known in ancient agriculture, particularly in the Mediterranean world, where olive trees were a staple crop, vital for food, oil, and economic prosperity. Farmers typically grafted a cultivated branch onto a wild rootstock to improve the quality and yield of the fruit. Paul's reversal of this common practice – grafting a wild branch onto a cultivated tree – would have struck his audience as counter-intuitive and even unnatural. This agricultural anomaly powerfully illustrates the extraordinary and unexpected nature of God's grace in incorporating Gentiles, who were considered "outside" the covenant, into the spiritual blessings originally promised to Israel. The "cultivated olive tree" would have been readily understood as representing covenant Israel, while the "wild olive tree" clearly symbolized the unprivileged, non-Jewish nations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological themes in Romans and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Sovereign Grace and Inclusion**, demonstrating His unmerited favor in bringing Gentiles into His covenant family, not based on their merit but on His divine initiative, a theme echoed in [Ephesians 2:11-13](/ephesians/2-11-13 "Ephesians 2:11-13 - Gentiles Brought Near by Christ"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Continuity of God's Covenant Promises**, particularly those made to Abraham, as the "root and fatness" represent the enduring spiritual heritage and blessings flowing from God's faithfulness to Israel ([Romans 9:4-5](/romans/9-4-5 "Romans 9:4-5 - The Privileges of Israel")). Gentiles are not creating a new spiritual lineage but are being joined to the existing, ancient, and nourished spiritual tree. Lastly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Humility and Warning Against Arrogance**, as the very act of being grafted in implies dependence and precludes boasting, a point Paul explicitly develops in the subsequent verses of [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - God's Plan for Israel and Gentiles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **broken off (Greek, _ekkláō_):** From *ek* (out of) and *kláō* (to break), meaning "to exscind" or "to break off." This term vividly describes the removal of some of the natural branches (unbelieving Jews) from the cultivated olive tree due to their unbelief. It implies a decisive, yet not necessarily permanent, separation from the nourishing root.
* **wild olive tree (Greek, _agriélaios_):** From *ágrios* (wild, untamed) and *elaía* (olive tree). This compound word denotes an oleaster, a species of wild olive tree that produced inferior fruit compared to the cultivated variety. Its use here emphasizes the natural, uncultivated, and therefore spiritually unproductive state of the Gentiles prior to their inclusion in God's covenant.
* **graffed in (Greek, _enkentrízō_):** From *en* (in) and a derivative of *kéntron* (a prick, sting). It literally means "to prick in" or "to insert," specifically referring to the agricultural practice of grafting. Paul's use of this term for the Gentiles' inclusion highlights the deliberate, intentional, and supernatural act of God in uniting them with the spiritual heritage of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if some of the branches be broken off":** This clause refers to the unbelieving portion of Israel, who, due to their rejection of Christ, have been temporarily set aside or "broken off" from the visible, fruitful expression of God's covenant people. It acknowledges the reality of Israel's partial hardening, which Paul has been discussing since [Romans 9](/romans/9 "Romans 9 - God's Sovereign Choice").
* **"and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them":** This addresses the Gentile believers directly ("thou"), identifying them as naturally "wild olive trees"—outside the covenant and without the spiritual privileges of Israel. The phrase "wert graffed in among them" signifies God's gracious and extraordinary act of incorporating these Gentile believers into the spiritual community that was originally Israel's, sharing in its blessings and heritage.
* **"and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree":** This final clause explains the profound benefit of the grafting. "With them" underscores the unity between believing Jews and Gentiles. "Partakest" (Greek, *synkoinōnós*, a co-participant) emphasizes shared participation. The "root" symbolizes the source of life and covenant promises, particularly the Abrahamic covenant and the patriarchs, from whom Israel derived its spiritual vitality. The "fatness" (Greek, *piótēs*, plumpness, richness) represents the spiritual nourishment, blessings, and rich heritage that flow from this covenant root, including the Law, the prophets, and ultimately, the Messiah.

#### Literary Devices
The dominant literary device in Romans 11:17, and indeed throughout [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - God's Plan for Israel and Gentiles"), is an **Extended Metaphor** or **Allegory** of the olive tree. This metaphor serves as a comprehensive theological illustration of the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles in God's redemptive plan. The **Symbolism** within this metaphor is rich: the "cultivated olive tree" symbolizes covenant Israel, the "natural branches" represent individual Israelites, the "broken off" branches signify unbelieving Jews, the "wild olive tree" and its branches symbolize the Gentiles, and the "root and fatness" stand for the spiritual heritage, covenant promises, and blessings flowing from the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and God's faithfulness. Paul's use of an agriculturally counter-intuitive act (grafting a wild branch onto a cultivated tree) employs **Irony** to underscore the extraordinary and unexpected nature of God's grace towards the Gentiles, highlighting that their inclusion is solely by divine initiative, not natural right or merit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 11:17 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's inclusive grace, demonstrating that salvation history is not merely a linear progression but a complex, divinely orchestrated drama involving both continuity and discontinuity. It underscores that Gentile believers are not a separate, new people of God, but have been brought into the existing covenant community, sharing in the spiritual blessings and heritage that originated with Israel. This highlights the singular nature of God's redemptive plan, rooted in His faithfulness to His ancient promises, and culminating in the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of ethnic origin. The "root and fatness" represent the enduring spiritual vitality derived from the patriarchs and the covenant promises, which remain the source of life for all who believe.

* [Ephesians 2:11-13](/ephesians/2-11-13 "Ephesians 2:11-13 - Gentiles Brought Near by Christ")
* [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")
* [Romans 15:27](/romans/15-27 "Romans 15:27 - Sharing in Spiritual Blessings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 11:17 calls Gentile believers to a profound sense of humility and gratitude. Our inclusion in God's family is not a right earned by our own merit or spiritual superiority, but a gracious act of God, who grafted us, as "wild olive trees," into a rich spiritual heritage that was not inherently ours. This should eradicate any sense of spiritual pride or anti-Semitism, reminding us that we are utterly dependent on the "root" of God's covenant faithfulness, which originated with Israel. Furthermore, understanding this metaphor fosters a deep appreciation for our Jewish roots, recognizing that our faith is not a new religion disconnected from the past, but the continuation and fulfillment of God's long-standing promises. It encourages us to celebrate the continuity of God's redemptive plan and to recognize the ongoing significance of Israel in God's purposes, fostering a spirit of inter-ethnic unity within the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of being a "wild olive tree" grafted into a cultivated one shape your understanding of your own salvation and spiritual standing before God?**
* **In what ways can understanding the "root and fatness" of the olive tree deepen your appreciation for the Jewish heritage of our faith?**
* **How might this passage challenge any tendencies toward spiritual pride or a sense of superiority over others, particularly those of Jewish descent?**

### FAQ
**What does the "olive tree" represent in Paul's analogy?**

Answer: In Paul's intricate allegory, the "olive tree" primarily represents the covenant people of God, the community that receives God's promises and blessings. Its "root" signifies the patriarchs, particularly Abraham, and the enduring covenant promises made to them, which are the source of spiritual life and nourishment. The "natural branches" are individual Israelites, while the "wild olive tree" and its branches represent the Gentiles. This metaphor illustrates the continuity of God's redemptive plan and how both believing Jews and Gentiles are united in sharing the spiritual blessings that flow from God's faithfulness to His original covenant.

**Why is Paul's description of grafting "unusual" or "unnatural" from an agricultural perspective?**

Answer: In ancient agriculture, it was common practice to graft a cultivated branch onto a wild rootstock to improve the yield and quality of the wild tree's fruit. Paul's description in [Romans 11:17](/romans/11-17 "Romans 11:17 - The Grafting of the Wild Olive Tree") reverses this, depicting a wild branch (Gentiles) being grafted into a cultivated tree (Israel). This reversal is precisely the point: it highlights the extraordinary, counter-intuitive, and supernatural nature of God's grace. It emphasizes that the Gentiles' inclusion is not a natural development or something they merited, but a miraculous act of divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereign power and unmerited favor in bringing those who were "far off" into His covenant family ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 11:17, though speaking of Israel and Gentiles, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus, who is the very "root" from which all spiritual life and "fatness" flow. He is the true Israel, the faithful Son of Abraham, through whom all the covenant promises are realized. When Gentiles are "graffed in," they are not merely attached to an abstract covenant, but are united to Christ Himself, becoming co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). Jesus, as the "true vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine")), is the source of all spiritual nourishment, and it is through faith in Him that both Jewish and Gentile believers receive the Holy Spirit and partake in the blessings of the new covenant. His sacrificial death on the cross broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" in Himself ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")), making it possible for wild branches to be grafted into the life-giving tree, nourished by His life and Spirit. Thus, the unity and shared blessings described in this verse are fully realized in the person and work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 2:11

¶ Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Ephesians 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Jeremiah 11:16

The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, [and] of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

Matthew 21:43

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

John 15:2

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Psalms 52:8

But I [am] like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.