Romans 11:23

KJV

And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they {G1565} also {G2532}, if {G3362} they abide {G1961} not {G3362} still in unbelief {G570}, shall be graffed in {G1461}: for {G1063} God {G2316} is {G2076} able {G1415} to graff {G1461} them {G846} in {G1461} again {G3825}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, the others, if they do not persist in their lack of trust, will be grafted in; because God is able to graft them back in.

Berean Standard Bible

And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

American Standard Version

And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 11:23 offers a profound declaration of God's unwavering power and enduring faithfulness concerning the restoration of Israel. Following Paul's intricate metaphor of the olive tree, this verse asserts that even those natural branches (Israel) currently broken off due to unbelief can be grafted back into their original position within God's covenant people, provided they turn from their unbelief. It underscores God's omnipotence, emphasizing His ability to accomplish this restoration, thereby reinforcing the hope for Israel's future salvation within His sovereign plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 11:23 is situated within Paul's extended theological discourse in Romans 9-11, where he addresses the perplexing question of Israel's rejection of their Messiah and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Having established that God's word has not failed, even though many in Israel have stumbled ([Romans 9:6](/romans/9-6 "God's Word Has Not Failed")), Paul introduces the vivid **olive tree metaphor** in [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - The Olive Tree Metaphor and Israel's Future"). In this analogy, the cultivated olive tree represents God's covenant people, rooted in the patriarchs. Some natural branches (unbelieving Israel) were broken off, and wild olive branches (Gentile believers) were grafted in ([Romans 11:17](/romans/11-17 "Gentiles Grafted In")). Verse 23 serves as a crucial counterpoint to the preceding warnings against Gentile arrogance, highlighting that the broken-off branches can indeed be re-grafted, thus setting the stage for Paul's climactic declaration that "all Israel shall be saved" ([Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "All Israel Shall Be Saved")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of **grafting** was a well-known agricultural technique in the ancient world, particularly for olive trees. Gardeners would graft shoots from one tree onto the rootstock of another to improve yield or propagate desirable varieties. Paul's use of this metaphor would have resonated deeply with his audience, both Jewish and Gentile, who would have understood the organic, living connection it implied. Historically, the early church was grappling with significant Jewish-Gentile tensions, as Gentile believers increasingly outnumbered Jewish believers. Paul's letter to the Romans, written from Corinth around A.D. 57-58, aimed to address these divisions, affirm the unity of believers in Christ, and clarify God's ongoing plan for Israel. The cultural backdrop includes the widespread Jewish expectation of a Messiah and the shock and scandal of Jesus's crucifixion, which led many Jews to reject Him, while Gentiles embraced the Gospel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Romans and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Enduring Faithfulness** to His covenant people, Israel, despite their present unbelief. Even though a hardening has come upon part of Israel ([Romans 11:25](/romans/11-25 "The Hardening of Israel")), God's ultimate purposes for them remain intact. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Condition of Belief** for restoration. The phrase "if they abide not still in unbelief" highlights that while God is sovereign, human response to His grace is crucial. Unbelief acts as a barrier, just as faith is the means by which both Jews and Gentiles are justified and included in God's family ([Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Justification by Faith")). Finally, the declaration "for God is able to graff them in again" asserts **God's Unlimited Power and Sovereignty** over history and salvation. No human condition or spiritual state, however dire, is beyond His ability to transform and redeem, setting the stage for the eschatological hope of Israel's full restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Unbelief (Greek, _apistía'_):** From G570, this term signifies "faithlessness" or "disbelief." In this context, it refers to Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, which led to their temporary exclusion from the full blessings of the covenant. It is the opposite of saving faith and is presented as the barrier to their re-grafting.
* **Graffed in (Greek, _enkentrízō'_):** From G1461, this verb literally means "to prick in" or "to insert a shoot into a tree," hence "to graft." Paul employs this agricultural term to vividly illustrate the organic, living connection God intends for His people. It implies a spiritual and relational re-integration, emphasizing that Israel's restoration is not merely a theoretical possibility but a practical, vital act of God.
* **Able (Greek, _dynatós'_):** From G1415, this adjective means "powerful" or "capable." Applied to God, it underscores His omnipotence and limitless capacity to accomplish His will. The assertion that God "is able to graff them in again" serves as a powerful affirmation of His sovereign power to overcome any obstacle, including the deep-seated unbelief of His chosen people, and bring about their ultimate restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief,"**: This clause introduces the possibility of Israel's restoration, contingent upon a change in their spiritual state. "They also" refers to the natural branches, the Jewish people, who were broken off. The crucial condition, "if they abide not still in unbelief," indicates that their current state of separation is due to their continued rejection of Christ. This is not an automatic re-grafting but one that requires a turning from their hardened hearts.
* **"shall be graffed in:"**: This is the hopeful outcome. If the condition of abandoning unbelief is met, they will be "graffed in." The passive voice ("shall be graffed in") emphasizes that this is God's action, a divine work of re-incorporation into the covenant people, restoring their place within the olive tree.
* **"for God is able to graff them in again."**: This final phrase provides the theological ground for the preceding statement. The "for" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason or explanation: God's inherent power. His ability is the guarantee that this re-grafting is not only possible but assured within His ultimate plan. The word "again" (G3825, _pálin_) reinforces the idea of a return to a former state of favor and inclusion.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's use of **Metaphor** is central to understanding Romans 11:23. The entire chapter relies heavily on the **olive tree metaphor** to explain God's relationship with Israel and the Gentiles. The "graffing in" and "graffing in again" vividly portray spiritual realities through an agricultural process, making abstract theological concepts tangible. The verse also employs a **Conditional Clause** ("if they abide not still in unbelief"), which highlights the necessity of a human response (turning from unbelief) for God's restorative action to take full effect. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Emphasis** and **Assurance** in the declaration "for God is able to graff them in again," which serves to bolster the hope of Israel's future and underscore God's omnipotence to accomplish His redemptive purposes despite present realities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 11:23 is a cornerstone in understanding God's complex and merciful plan for both Israel and the Gentiles. It underscores the profound theological truth that God's covenant promises are irrevocable and His faithfulness transcends human unfaithfulness. While a temporary hardening has come upon Israel, allowing for the inclusion of the Gentiles, this verse assures that Israel's rejection is not final. God's power is not limited by human unbelief; rather, His ability to re-graft them demonstrates His sovereign capacity to bring about salvation for all who believe, ultimately leading to the eschatological fulfillment where "all Israel shall be saved." This divine ability to restore is a testament to His unwavering commitment to His chosen people and His glorious redemptive purposes for all humanity.

* [Romans 11:25-26](/romans/11-25-26 "The Mystery of Israel's Salvation")
* [Romans 3:3-4](/romans/3-3-4 "God's Faithfulness Despite Unbelief")
* [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Confession and Belief for Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 11:23 offers profound lessons for believers today, fostering both hope and humility. Firstly, it reminds us of God's limitless power and His persistent desire for all to come to repentance and faith. If God is able to re-graft those who have been broken off due to profound unbelief, then no individual or group is beyond the reach of His transformative grace. This should fuel our prayers for the salvation of the lost, particularly those who seem most resistant to the Gospel, and encourage our evangelistic efforts, knowing that God's ability far surpasses our perceived limitations. Secondly, for Gentile believers, this verse, within the broader context of Romans 11, serves as a powerful warning against spiritual arrogance or boasting. We are grafted in by grace, not by inherent superiority, and should maintain a humble posture, recognizing our dependence on God's mercy and the foundational role of Israel in God's redemptive plan. It calls us to a deeper appreciation of God's intricate and sovereign plan, which encompasses both judgment and restoration, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His promises and His desire for all to come to repentance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's "ability to graff them in again" challenge any limits we might place on His power in our own lives or for others?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, inadvertently adopt an attitude of spiritual arrogance towards those who do not yet believe, whether Jewish or Gentile?**
* **How does understanding God's enduring faithfulness to Israel, as revealed in this verse, deepen your trust in His faithfulness to His promises to you personally?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 11:23 mean that all Jewish people will be saved regardless of their personal faith in Jesus?**

Answer: No, Romans 11:23 clearly states a condition: "if they abide not still in unbelief." This means that Israel's re-grafting is contingent upon turning from their unbelief and embracing faith in Jesus as the Messiah, just as salvation for any individual, Jew or Gentile, is conditioned on faith ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "The Path to Salvation")). Paul's broader argument in [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - God's Plan for Israel") points to a future, national turning of Israel to Christ, which will result in their restoration, but it does not negate the necessity of individual faith.

**What is the significance of the "grafting" metaphor in this verse?**

Answer: The "grafting" metaphor (from an olive tree) is highly significant. It illustrates that God's covenant people are not merely a collection of individuals but an organic entity. The natural branches (Israel) were broken off due to unbelief, and wild branches (Gentile believers) were grafted in ([Romans 11:17](/romans/11-17 "Gentiles Grafted In")). Verse 23 emphasizes that the natural branches can be re-grafted, signifying a restoration to their original, privileged position within God's covenant. It speaks of a living, spiritual connection and the divine act of re-incorporation, demonstrating God's power to restore what was lost.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 11:23, with its emphasis on God's ability to re-graft Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the true root and the very essence of the olive tree, the source of life and covenant blessing. Just as the branches draw life from the root, all who are grafted in, whether Jew or Gentile, draw spiritual life from Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the vine; you are the branches" ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "Jesus, the True Vine")), illustrating that union with Him is the sole means of bearing fruit and experiencing true life. Israel's future re-grafting will not be based on their ethnic identity alone, but on their collective turning to Jesus as their Messiah, the One who fulfills all the promises made to their patriarchs. His atoning sacrifice on the cross broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")), creating one new humanity in Himself. Therefore, God's ability to re-graft Israel is ultimately His ability to draw them, through the power of the Holy Spirit, into saving faith in Christ, thereby demonstrating His sovereign power to reconcile all things to Himself through His Son ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Reconciliation Through 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

2 Corinthians 3:16

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.

Matthew 23:39

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.